general problems of the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio

Can not turn ignition key to start the car. Car was parked in a parking lot. After several hours had to pry up console to switch the the yellow up. Then had to put gear in neutral. Put oil in gear shaft area. Plus blow out any debris that might have fallen in key hole. Also put lubricant in key shaft. With several attempts the key finally turned over. After being stranded for four hours in 0 degree weather. My vehicle remains in a parking lot. Have no idea where to take this vehicle due to no dealers work on a Smart car. Have no idea what or how to fix this problem. This faulty mechanism needs to be recalled.

We drove about 12 miles to a friends, parked in driveway, went inside to visit. In 10-15 minutes was a knock on the door by a neighbor who said "your car is on fire". We called 911, emptied a fire extinguisher to no avail. I took many photos from start to finish while waiting for the fire department. They put out the fire. Insurance tow truck took the car to their lot. The whole back half was badly damaged. Afterwards I found many reports of fires like mine. The portland, oregon mercedes dealer would not talk to us. No one was injured. The car seems like a total loss. We were never warned there was any danger from fire.

Tl- the contact owns a 2008 Smart. The contact stated while driving 70 mph the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted some time later. In the interim the dealer was notified and he was informed there was an electrical failure. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for repair and a diode was replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,000. Dt.

1. High failure rate of heater blower motors. 2. High replacement cost (price gouging) for a blower motor based on the believed high current failure rate. 3. 3 blower failures in 54k miles. 4. Vehicle was new in 4/2008, I am original owner 5. No heat creates a high safety risk to consumer who use the vehicle in extreme weather conditions. 6. No heat can create visibility issue due to inability to properly defrost the windows. 7. No heat presents a health issue to older users in cold weather who may have limited circulation. 8. No heat presents a safety issue to other drivers due to: a. Poor visibility b. Driver distraction due to comfort c. Driver distraction due to gage panel manipulation 9. No heat creates a health issue in the event of being stranded due to severe weather. Failure to heat the occupant space could lead to severe injury or death. 10. Disassembly and repair of the blower motor is not part of the consumer regular service requirements. 11. Smart does not recommend changing of the blower motor during regular service intervals. So far Smart has done all service to the vehicle at 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50k. Not once was blower motor a suggested service item. 12. Smart therefore believes the blower motor to have significant life and does not need service.