Smart #1 Pro+ Mk1

Vehicles built from 2022 to Q3 2023 have a known defect in the onboard charger's Control Pilot signal handling. When connected to certain AC wall boxes, the CP signal briefly overshoots to 8V before settling at 6V, which is not fully standards-compliant. This can damage the OBC electronics over time. Connecting to a Tesla Wall Connector Gen 3 can permanently damage the charger. Smart has updated the OBC hardware for newer production. Affected early cars should have the charger replaced under warranty at no cost. If out of warranty, replacement costs are estimated at €800-2,500 depending on the dealer. Verify with the dealer whether the updated OBC revision has been installed.

The flush-mounted electric door handles are a known weak point, particularly on early production cars. Symptoms include handles not fully retracting when closing, not extending when approaching, or triggering a dashboard warning stating that the hidden door handle is abnormal. The problem is often intermittent and typically affects the passenger-side handles first. Some dealers have attempted lubrication, but in most cases a full handle replacement is needed. Replacement cost per handle is approximately €200-300 including labor. Most early cases were resolved under warranty. Post-warranty, budget for at least one handle replacement over the ownership period.

The ADAC long-term test described the software as a significant weak point, with navigation freezing, speed limit recognition failing, and false obstacle warnings triggering emergency braking during reversing. Owners report the infotainment screen going white or black and rebooting spontaneously. The system can be manually reset by holding the lower-left console button for 10 seconds. OTA updates have progressively improved stability, with six updates deployed during the ADAC test year. Most issues are resolved through software updates at no cost, though persistent problems may require a dealer visit for a control unit reflash (€100-300). The issue is more common on early 2022-2023 cars running older software versions.

A known issue on vehicles built from 2022 to Q3 2023. The car develops a humming or vibrating noise at speeds between 65 and 90 km/h, sometimes described as sounding like a combustion engine. Multiple causes have been identified: loose front bumper trim, vibrating license plate mounting, or degraded motor isolator mounts. Fixes include adding additional insulation material, securing the license plate fasteners, or replacing the motor isolators. Smart acknowledges this as a serial defect. Most early cases were handled under warranty. If out of warranty, motor mount replacement typically costs €300-800 depending on parts and labor.

Some owners have experienced OTA updates that freeze mid-installation, fail to download, or leave control units in an inconsistent firmware state. In one documented case, a screen went black at 28% progress, and after restart the car showed error messages when attempting to drive. A common contributing factor is a weak 12V battery dropping below 10V during the update. ADAC recommends keeping a 10mm wrench in the car to disconnect and reconnect the 12V terminal as a reset procedure, and connecting a 12V battery charger during updates. If the OTA fails, a dealer visit for a manual firmware flash is typically needed (€0-200). Smart phases updates over several weeks, so not all cars receive them simultaneously.

Multiple owners report replacing CR2032 key fob batteries every 3-4 months, with both fobs draining simultaneously. The car should display a low battery warning, but some owners report not receiving this notification. If the fob dies completely, the car can still be unlocked via the Hello Smart phone app. Keeping a spare CR2032 battery and a small screwdriver in the glove box is recommended. The cost per battery is approximately €3-5, making this more of an annoyance than a financial risk. Some owners have found that reducing the proximity unlock sensitivity through the settings menu extends battery life.

The ADAC long-term test documented a steering wheel heater failure where the replacement part had to be ordered from China and never arrived during the entire 12-month test period. This highlights a broader concern about parts supply chain for this Chinese-built vehicle. While the repair itself is not expensive (€200-500), the waiting time for parts can be frustrating. This appears to be an occasional issue rather than a widespread defect.