lukasstorm1
Smart Fortwo EV Radar Sensor Issues Plague Safety Systems
4 comment(s)
lukasstorm1 (Author)
I can relate to your problem with the radar sensor on the Smart Fortwo. Had the exact same warnings and driving assistance system failures last winter. The repair shop confirmed a sensor failure that affected multiple safety features including collision avoidance. Very helpful to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing the total cost for the radar calibration and repairs? Also curious if youve noticed any other electronic quirks since the fix was completed. Dealing with these sensor issues can be tricky since they impact so many vehicle systems at once. My repair is scheduled for next week so trying to get an idea what to expect.
klauspeters97
Good news about your upcoming repair. Since getting my Smart EQ ForFour fixed, all sensor-related issues have completely cleared up. The repair was straightforward, just 45€ to clean and recalibrate the dirty sensor. No other electronic problems have surfaced in the months following the fix. The adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance, and other safety systems are now working perfectly. Looking back, the multiple warning lights made the issue seem much worse than it actually was. The key was having a technician who understood these automotive sensors and could properly diagnose the root cause. Regular cleaning of the sensors has prevented any repeat issues. Make sure to mention the symptoms you described to your mechanic, it sounds exactly like what I experienced with my sensor malfunction. They should be able to sort it out quickly since its likely just contamination rather than a complete sensor failure. The cars electronic systems are quite sensitive but very reliable once properly maintained. A thorough cleaning and calibration should get everything back to normal operation.
lukasstorm1 (Author)
Thanks for sharing that information about your repair experience. I just got back from the shop after having my Smart Fortwo fixed. You were right, the issue was less severe than all those warning lights suggested. The technician found road salt and debris affecting the radar sensor performance. After a thorough cleaning and professional radar calibration, all the driving assistance and safety systems are working perfectly again. The whole service took about 3 hours and cost 80€, which was better than I expected given all the warning messages. This experience taught me to be more proactive about sensor maintenance. The mechanic showed me where the radar sensors are located and recommended regular cleaning, especially during winter months when road grime builds up. No electronic issues or warning lights since the repair was completed. Really appreciate the helpful advice from everyone here. Now I know what to watch for and how to prevent these sensor problems from recurring in the future.
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klauspeters97
Had similar electronic issues with my Smart EQ ForFour (2018). The radar sensor malfunction triggered multiple warning lights and disabled several safety systems. After diagnostic testing, it turned out the radar sensor was heavily contaminated with road debris and mineral deposits, affecting the automotive sensors calibration. The repair process involved: Complete sensor cleaning, radar calibration using specialized equipment, system reset and testing, verification of all affected safety features. This was not a major mechanical issue, but required specific expertise and equipment for proper radar calibration. The repair took approximately 4 hours at an authorized service center. The problem has not returned since the repair was completed 8 months ago. Regular sensor cleaning is now part of my maintenance routine to prevent similar issues. These electronic issues can affect multiple vehicle systems simultaneously, making proper diagnosis crucial. Would recommend having this checked at an authorized dealer due to the specialized calibration requirements for Smart EVs. Experience shows these sensor failures often appear more severe than they actually are due to how many systems they affect. Keep in mind that driving with malfunctioning safety systems is not recommended.