Smart #3 Pro+ Mk1

A widely reported issue on early Smart #1 and #3 production batches. The electrically operated flush door handles may stick in the extended position, fail to retract completely, or not deploy at all. The dashboard displays 'Hidden door handle is abnormal, contact dealership.' Smart acknowledged this as a known defect on cars up to a certain production batch and began retrofitting replacement handles at ports. Newer deliveries should have the updated part. The fix is a handle replacement, which takes under an hour. Under the 3-year warranty, this is covered at no cost. Outside warranty, a handle unit costs approximately €150-300 per door including labor. Most reports involve the front passenger handle, but any door can be affected.

The 12.8-inch central touchscreen running smartOS is the primary control interface for nearly all vehicle functions, including mirror adjustment and climate settings. Multiple owners report the screen freezing, going white or black, then rebooting — leaving the car without climate, navigation, or media for several minutes. The Hello Smart companion app is described as buggy, randomly logging users out and displaying incorrect door-lock status. Wireless CarPlay/Android Auto connections drop intermittently. The 'Online' toggle not saving is a confirmed known bug. Smart has issued several OTA updates (1.3.x through 1.7.x) that addressed some issues but introduced others — for example, smartOS 1.6.0 caused DC charging compatibility problems with certain charger brands. A cockpit system reboot (10-second press on the lower-left console button) can temporarily resolve freezes. If a hardware fault is diagnosed in the head unit, replacement costs approximately €300 for the module, though this is rare and usually covered under warranty.

Some Smart #1 and #3 owners experience intermittent failures when connecting to DC fast chargers, particularly Alpitronic HYC units. The CCS connector locks but charging stays at 0 kW, with the app falsely indicating a session is active. Root cause was traced to a software regression in smartOS 1.6.0 affecting communication protocols between the car and charger. Alpitronic and Smart have been collaborating on a fix. Holding the connector firmly in place can sometimes establish a proper connection as a workaround. A future OTA update is expected to fully resolve this. If the onboard charger (OBC) hardware itself fails outside warranty, replacement costs approximately €400-500, but this is uncommon — the issue is predominantly software-related.

Smart issued a technical service action (TBA24005) for certain #1 and #3 vehicles with voltage drops between HV battery cells. This is described as a preventive measure rather than a traditional recall — vehicles are flagged for battery replacement at the next service visit to ensure long-term cell health. The work is covered under Smart's 8-year / 200,000 km HV battery warranty at no cost. Wait times for replacement batteries have been reported at up to two months due to parts availability. The majority of affected cars are in Europe. No safety incidents have been reported, and the car remains drivable.

Smart recalled the #1 and #3 for a seatbelt buckle issue where the rear left passenger belt can open during driving under very specific conditions: travelling above 75 km/h with two tall, heavy adults in the center and left rear seats during consecutive sharp lane changes. The center rear seatbelt housing presses against the left rear buckle, releasing it. Smart advised not using the middle rear seat until the fix was applied. The repair involves fitting a small clip and takes approximately 30 minutes, performed free of charge. Vehicles delivered from late October 2024 onward have the fix pre-installed. No real-world injuries were reported.

Like many modern EVs, the Smart #3 relies on a 12V auxiliary battery to power control units that manage the main traction battery. If the car sits unused for two to three weeks, the 12V battery can drain to the point where the car will not respond at all — even with a fully charged 66 kWh traction pack. The DC-DC converter normally recharges the 12V system, but parasitic draw from always-on modules (telematics, keyless entry, alarm) can exceed what is replenished when parked. Owners who park for extended periods are advised to use a 12V trickle charger. Replacement of the 12V battery costs approximately €150-300 including fitting. One known quirk: one of the two key fobs may drain its battery significantly faster than the other.

The speed-limit recognition system frequently misreads road signs, picking up speed limits from adjacent roads, slip roads, or temporary construction signage. This triggers persistent audio and visual warnings that can be distracting. Long-term test vehicles from Autocar and Auto Express both highlighted this as a constant annoyance. The system can be partially disabled through the infotainment menus, though this requires navigating several levels deep. Software updates have improved accuracy incrementally, but the issue persists. This is a comfort and annoyance issue rather than a safety or cost concern.