Service bulletin LI46.40-P-055798

A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.

The communication, as NHTSA indexes it (as of 2026-10-19)
Type	Service bulletin
NHTSA id	10167004
Published by NHTSA	2019-11-04
Manufacturer's number	LI46.40-P-055798
Manufacturer's date	2014-02-18
NHTSA component	STEERING

NHTSA's summary

Creaking, grating or grunting noise while steering audible in the steering gear area. The noise can be transferred through the steering gear into the interior. The noise occurs, in particular, at high temperatures, e.g. in the summer.

The document

The document is the manufacturer's. This site does not hold it. NHTSA files a document at one of these two addresses; we have not asked NHTSA which.

Components

Steering

Vehicles listed
SMART FORTWO	2005
SMART FORTWO	2008, 2009
SMART FORTWO	2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
SMART FORTWO CABRIOLET	2017 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
SMART FORTWO CONVERTIBLE	2014, 2015 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
SMART FORTWO CONVERTIBLE ELECTR	2014, 2015 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
SMART FORTWO COUPE	2014, 2015, 2016 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)
SMART FORTWO COUPE ELECTRIC	2014, 2015 (the catalog's model; the bulletin names a series or trim of it)

Listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned: the document says which.

Recalls for the same vehicles and component
2017354	2017-07-17. Steering
17V447000	2017-07-14. STEERING
15V192000	2015-03-31. STEERING
2015135	2015-03-27. Steering

A recall listed here may apply to some of the same vehicles. Only the manufacturer can say whether it applies to one vehicle.

Other bulletins for the same vehicles and component
LI46.10-P-077314	2026-10-06. Service bulletin. Complaint Noises in the steering column area when steering. See example file in the attachments area: "MRSM‑Schleifgeräusch_SCCMGrindingNoises. MOV". Cause Under analysis. Remedy Check which area of the steering column the noises occur in. Do the noises tend to occur at the bottom in the driver footwell or do they tend to occur in the area of the steering column switch module (MRSM/SCCM)? If the noises occur in the area of the MRSM/SCCM, work through the following points: ‑ Loosen screws of the MRSM/SCCM and steering wheel, re‑align the MRSM/SCCM, and re‑fasten the screws (see WIS). Sometimes there is stress at the MRSM/SCCM and noises occur. ‑ If noises continue to occur, swap the MRSM/SCCM into a vehicle without any (noise) complaints. ‑ If the noises occur with the MRSM/SCCM complained about when it is in the vehicle without a complaint (donor vehicle), the MRSM/SCCM can be replaced. ‑ If noises also occur in the customer vehicle with the MRSM/SCCM from the reference vehicle, the MRSM/SCCM is not the cause and must not be replaced. Notes: ‑ When installing the MRSM/SCCM, make sure that no damage occurs! ‑ If the noise is due to the steering wheel (see attachment "Lenkrad‑Schleifgeräusch_SteeringWheel‑GrindingNoises.mp4"), please use LI46.10‑P‑077313. ‑ Only disassemble and mount all component parts in the "straight‑ahead position" (see also WIS). ‑ Please refer to this LI in the "Notes" section of the warranty claim!
LI46.10-P-077314	2024-02-01. Service bulletin. Noises in the steering column area when steering. Under analysis. Check which area of the steering column the noises occur in. Do the noises tend to occur at the bottom in the driver footwell or do they tend to occur in the area of the steering column switch module (MRSM/SCCM)? If the noises occur in the area of the MRSM/SCCM, work through the following points: - Loosen screws of the MRSM/SCCM and steering wheel, re-align the MRSM/SCCM, and re-fasten the screws (see WIS). Sometimes there is stress at the MRSM/SCCM and noises occur. - If noises continue to occur, swap the MRSM/SCCM into a vehicle without any (noise) complaints. - If the noises occur with the MRSM/SCCM complained about when it is in the vehicle without a complaint (donor vehicle), the MRSM/SCCM can be replaced. - If noises also occur in the customer vehicle with the MRSM/SCCM from the reference vehicle, the MRSM/SCCM is not the cause and must not be replaced. Notes: - When installing the MRSM/SCCM, make sure that no damage occurs! - Only disassemble and mount all component parts in the "straight-ahead position" (see also WIS). - Please refer to this LI in the "Notes" section of the warranty claim!
LI46.10-P-077313	2024-02-01. Service bulletin. The steering wheel generates grinding noises between the steering wheel and steering column switch module during steering maneuvers See example file in the attachments area: Lenkrad-Schleifgeräusch_SteeringWheel-GrindingNoises.mp4 The plastic cover on the back of the steering wheel is not positioned correctly and may therefore rub against the steering column switch module Please use the following noise files for the damaged part analysis: 1. Grinding noise \| pot. cause: steering wheel \| see attachment: Lenkrad-Schleifgeräusch_SteeringWheel-GrindingNoises. mp4 2. Creaking/cracking noise \| pot. cause: steering column switch module \| see attachment: MRSM-Schleifgeräusch_ SCCM-GrindingNoises.MOV If the noise is due to the steering column switch module, please use LI46.10-P-077314. Check for grinding areas on the steering wheel: Please check the covers on the rear for protrusion and, if necessary, remount. 1. Mask off openings on back of steering wheel with adhesive tape 1. Mark the back of the steering wheel with colored chalk (see Picture 1) 2. Mount steering wheel on steering column switch module and turn the steering wheel from left lock to right lock ten times. 3. The chalk will now have disappeared in the areas where there is rubbing (see Picture 2) Warning: Ensure that no cables and visible areas of the steering wheel are damaged. The abrasive excess material on the back of the steering wheel must be carefully removed with a Dremel tool. Tip: You will need to remove approx. 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm of material (example: Picture 3) Make sure that none of the ground-off material gets into the steering wheel. After removing the material, clean the entire back of the steering wheel with a 1% soap solution.
LI46.35-P-064622	2018-04-23. Service bulletin. Noise from area of electric steering