Smart ForTwo Cabin Fan Failure, Fix Options & Costs

Last year my Smart ForFour CDI had the same air circulation issue. The blower motor completely stopped working, leaving no air flow through any vents regardless of fan speed controller settings. The root cause turned out to be more serious than initially expected. While the fan speed controller itself often fails on these models, my case involved a completely seized blower motor bearing. The motor had actually collected significant debris over time, causing the final failure. The repair required removing the entire heater fan assembly from behind the dashboard. The air conditioning system needed to be partially disconnected to gain proper access. Due to the confined space in Smart vehicles, this turned into a labor-intensive job. In my case, replacing just the blower motor resistor pack would not have solved the issue, the entire blower motor unit needed replacement. These symptoms point to either the motor itself or the fan speed controller, rarely both. Having the shop perform proper diagnostics before parts replacement is crucial. Most common failure points to check: Blown fuses, Fan speed controller (resistor pack), Blower motor bearings, Wiring connections to the motor, Climate control module Consider having a qualified shop perform a proper diagnosis rather than just replacing parts. The symptoms match mine exactly, suggesting similar root causes.

Thanks for sharing your experience with the ForFour. I had nearly identical symptoms with my Fortwo about 6 months ago. The HVAC system was completely dead and diagnosis showed both electrical wiring issues and a failing blower motor. Interesting that you mention debris buildup, my mechanic found the same thing when removing the old unit. The replacement process sounds similar, with quite a bit of dashboard disassembly required to access the cabin fan components. How much did you end up paying for the complete repair? Also wondering if youve had any other air conditioning or blower-related issues since getting it fixed? Mine has been working perfectly since the repair but always good to know what to watch out for.

Good to hear you got the same blower motor issue resolved. Like yours, my Smart ForFour repair was successful and the cabin fan has worked flawlessly since. The total cost came to 365€, which covered both parts and labor for replacing the defective blower motor. The climate control system has been operating perfectly for over a year now with consistent air flow at all fan speeds. The air circulation is much better than before the repair, probably because the old motor was gradually failing before it completely stopped. Based on discussions with the mechanic, these systems typically last many years once properly repaired. Just keep the cabin air filter clean to prevent future debris buildup that could affect the new blower motor. Regular filter changes help maintain optimal air flow and protect the fan speed controller components. Common issues to watch for would be unusual noise from the fan or inconsistent air flow, but these are rare after a complete motor replacement. The repair should keep your climate control system running reliably for years to come.

After looking around for recommendations, I finally took my Smart to an independent European car specialist. The mechanic immediately recognized the HVAC system issue, having worked on several similar cases. Initial testing confirmed both a faulty fan speed controller and damaged blower motor wiring. The repair took about 4 hours as they had to remove multiple dashboard components to access the heater fan assembly. They found significant debris around the old blower motor, explaining the complete failure. The total cost came to 420€ including a new motor, fan speed controller, and labor. Good news is the air circulation works perfectly now, all fan speeds are responsive and the air conditioning is actually better than before. The mechanic showed me the old parts and explained how regular cabin filter maintenance could help prevent similar issues in the future. Definitely worth getting it properly diagnosed and fixed rather than trying cheaper partial repairs. I learned my lesson about preventive maintenance, but at least the climate control system should be trouble-free for years now.