Smart Fortwo EV Suspension Failure & Repair Guide

Having some experience with electric vehicles, I dealt with a similar suspension issue on my 2019 Smart Forfour EV last year. The symptoms matched yours exactly, uneven ride height, tilting, and warning lights. After inspection, the workshop found air leaks caused by a faulty cable connection to the suspension pump. The compressor failure warnings were actually triggered by this disconnected wiring, not a mechanical issue with the suspension components themselves. The fix was straightforward, they repaired the connection and recalibrated the system. Total cost was 95€ for diagnostics and repair. The car has been running perfectly since then, maintaining proper ride height with no warning lights. Before suggesting specific fixes for your case, could you provide: Has the ride height issue developed gradually or suddenly? Are you hearing any unusual noises from the suspension? Do the warning lights appear immediately when starting the car? Have you noticed any changes in ride comfort? This information would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if you might be dealing with a different suspension component problem.

Last service was at 65000 KM, and the ride height started dropping gradually about 2 weeks ago. The suspension system makes a hissing sound when parked, suggesting air leaks somewhere in the air struts. The warning lights appear about 30 seconds after starting the car. The ride comfort has significantly decreased, especially over bumps and when cornering. The suspension pump seems to be working harder than usual, I can hear it running more frequently than before. This makes me think the issue might be with the air struts themselves rather than just a connection problem.

Based on your description, particularly the hissing sound and gradually worsening symptoms, your situation seems more complex than my earlier cable connection issue. The frequent running of your suspension pump combined with the hissing suggests significant air leaks in your suspension components. In my case, after the initial wiring repair, I actually encountered a similar hissing problem about 6 months later. It turned out multiple air struts had developed leaks at their seals. The constant air loss caused the compressor to work overtime, eventually leading to air suspension compressor failure. The repair involved: Full system diagnostic scan, Pressure testing to locate air leaks, Replacement of two faulty air struts, New seals for remaining struts, Suspension pump replacement as preventive measure Total cost was 890€, considerably more than my first repair. However, preventing complete suspension system failure made it worthwhile. These symptoms definitely indicate you should have it checked soon. The suspension pump overworking to compensate for air leaks will likely fail if the underlying issue isnt addressed. Regular operation of properly sealed suspension components should be nearly silent.

The symptoms you both described match what I'm experiencing. The hissing noise and gradual height loss definitely point toward air leaks in the suspension system. The malfunction seems to be getting worse, especially now that my suspension pump is working overtime. I appreciate the detailed breakdown of your repair experience. Knowing the full repair cost was 890€ helps me budget accordingly. Since my symptoms closely match your second issue rather than the initial wiring problem, I will prepare for a more extensive repair involving the air struts and possibly the compressor. Going to schedule a diagnostic appointment this week to prevent complete suspension system failure. The shop should probably check all suspension components given the similar pattern of issues. Better to address it now before the suspension pump gives out entirely. Thanks for sharing your experience. This helped confirm my suspicions about the air leaks and gave me a realistic view of the likely repair scope and costs.