The SMART car transmission is unlike any ordinary 5 or 6-speed automatic. It is an automated manual gearbox. Which means the vehicle can be driven as a manual or automatic at the flick of a button. The vehicle does not have a clutch pedal and instead operates on sensors and ECU’s.
The system consists of a clutch actuator assembly, a gear shift actuator assembly, and a gearbox ECU. Each of the actuators will also have position sensors. Which sends signals back to the gearbox ECU to determine which gear the vehicle is in or what position the clutch is in. This information along with vehicle speed and other parameters will be used by the gearbox ECU. To calculate the required gear, when the next gear change should take place and when to engage/disengage the clutch.
As many SMART car owners are already aware, this design has many faults and can render the vehicle completely un-drivable.
Common Clutch + Gear Actuator Problems
When the clutch and gear actuators fail on the Mercedes Smart car. It doesn’t always give the same symptom. Below we’ve listed the most common fault symptoms we are aware of so far:
- 3 Bars / Lines Appearing on Gear Change Box
- Slipping Out of Gears
- Getting Stuck in Neutral
- Failing to Select Gears
If your clutch or gear actuator has failed, then you may already be aware of exactly how much it can cost to replace the unit. Each actuator is coded to the vehicle and can cost upwards of £700+Vat each to replace with coding. Furthermore, the replacement unit will only come with a standard 12-month warranty and being that it is such a common failing part, it doesn’t give much confidence that the problem won’t re-occur.
We receive clutch & gear actuators for repair on a daily basis for the following vehicles:
- Smart City
- Smart ForTwo
- Smart ForFour
- Smart Roadster
We have also compiled a short list of part numbers associated to the failing clutch & gear actuator units. Note: this is not a complete list of part numbers, only the most common part numbers we frequently see in our workshops are listed.
Partnumbers | Partnumbers |
---|---|
000 3226 V011 | 01 3981 007 101 |
000 3226 V012 | 01 3981 000 022 |
000 3226 V014 | 01 3981 000 066 |
000 3226 V016 | 01 3981 000 070 |
A 451 250 00 62 | A 454 257 05 79 |
My Mercedes Smart Car Actuator is Faulty – How Can SINSPEED Help Me?
We specialise in the testing and repair of clutch + gear actuator units, not just for Smart cars but for all vehicle makes and models where the vehicles gearbox is controlled by electronic actuators. We’re able to fully bench test and repair the Smart car clutch actuator and gear actuator units. We use new genuine OEM parts when repairing the actuators to ensure each and every repaired clutch/gear actuator meets and exceeds OE specifications.
The repaired actuators will be returned to you with a Lifetime warranty for complete peace of mind and will not require re-coding when fitting back to the vehicle – simply plug & play!
If you have a Mercedes Smart Car with a clutch or gear actuator fault then give us a call today on 0203 815 9441.

Ajaz is a seasoned automotive electronics engineer with deep expertise in remanufacturing vehicle electronics. He has developed skills in all areas of the automotive field, from rebuilding hydraulic steering components, and mechanical gearboxes and reworking intricate vehicle electronics. Ajaz also acquired Bodyteq, a London-based vehicle bodyshop where he has developed extensive knowledge in automotive refinishing.
Alongside his automotive career, Ajaz has built a career in the IT industry, gaining accredited certification as an AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Cloud Architect, and Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) specialist.
hello.my 2057 smart 451wil not turn over on key. three bars on screen. garage says its a clutch accuator problem.hav u experianced this problem. an can u sort it. an a ruff estimate. thanks
Hi Jez
Thanks for the enquiry,
We have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi i have an smart cdi 2009
It’s seems to be fine changing gears town driving but as soon as you hit Over 50 it says in the last gear and u have to shift down with the paddles but then ur in 2 gear and it wont go past 25 mph can you help please
Hi Reiss
Thanks for the enquiry,
We have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
2008 SMART FORTWO PURE 71 AUTO CLUTCH Actuator signal going in but no signal coming out can it be repaired Thanks chris
Hi Chris
Thanks for the enquiry,
We have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hello,
I have a smart car 2004 and have the common problem with the clutch actuator, stopped on a traffic light and then When was to drive again 3 bars on the dasboard. .Would you be able to let me know how much it will cost to repair it?
Kind regrads,
Martin
Hi Martin
Thanks for the enquiry,
We have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi jason i have a smart car fortwo 2006 grandstyle .engine runs and revs up but i have 3 bars on the read out on dash clock flashing .can you tell me if its the clutch actuator fault as i can feel a pulsating when put into gear but still no drive look forward to your reply Trevor
Hi Trevor
Thanks for the enquiry,
This type of fault can be caused by either the clutch or the gear actuator but also there are other mechanical components which can fail so the fault will need to be thoroughly diagnosed. We bench test all units sent in to us and are able to isolate the units on test to find the route cause of the fault.
I have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
2004 Smart roadster x2 actuators
Price please
Thanks 🙏🏽
Hi John
Thanks for the enquiry,
We have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi, my disabled wife has a Fourtwo (42) passion (YA57***). Occasionally she cannot engage reverse. Moving the gear stick between 1st gear and reverse does nothing but eventually 1st gear will not engage either. When the gears do not engage the panal just shows N.
Odd part is that the problem is much worse when on a slope…..that is drivers side is lower than the passenger side. I am hoping you can help. As my wife is disabled this is a big problem for her.
Thanks.
Mike (Lincoln area)
(Local Smart dealership have been most unhelpful)
Hi Mike
Thanks for the enquiry,
We have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi i have a smart car 57 plate pure 71 and it doesnt go into reverse the N just flashes, ive trying playing around with the gears and only when i drive around i Can Get it reverse but more often struggling to get it into reverse. Please help!
Hello Bao,
Thank you for your enquiry and many apologies for the delay in our response.
We have sent over an email now with pricing and further information regarding the repair of your Smart Clutch & Gear Actuators.
Kind Regards,
Jason
SINSPEED
Hi there,
I wonder if you can provide me with a quote for my Smart ForTwo 55 plate? The car struggles to switch between the low gears and often gets stuck in first.
Many thanks
Hi Laura
Thanks for the enquiry,
I have sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED
I have 2010 Smart fortwo cdi.
My gear box does not change from N to A or R any more.
How much will it cost and how long will it take to fix the problem?
Hi Sang
Thanks for the enquiry,
We’ve sent you an email with full information and pricing.
Kind Regards
Jason
SINSPEED