TC-451-25-008 – Tailgate Seal Inspection

Severity Level

🔵 BLUE – No Immediate Action Required

Low severity

There is no immediate action required. You do not need to arrange an additional workshop appointment.

The campaign will be carried out during your next regular workshop visit.

The vehicle can continue to be used as normal until then.

Campaign ID: TC-451-25-008
Vehicle: smart fortwo
Model series: 451
Model years: 2007–2014
Campaign type: Technical Service Campaign
Severity: Blue – Low
Status: Active
Estimated repair time: 0.2–0.4 hours

Campaign Overview

A technical campaign has been introduced for selected smart fortwo vehicles of model series 451 to inspect the tailgate seal.

On certain vehicles, manufacturing tolerances may cause the seal around the tailgate not to fit optimally against the vehicle body.

Under certain conditions, this may allow a small amount of moisture to enter the outer area of the luggage compartment.

The function and driving safety of the vehicle are not affected.

The seal will be inspected during the next regular workshop visit and, if necessary, repositioned or replaced.

Customer Complaint / Possible Symptoms

In most cases, there are no noticeable symptoms.

Possible indications may include:

• Slight moisture around the tailgate
• Small water droplets after washing the vehicle
• Slight moisture around the edge of the luggage compartment
• Condensation on the inside of the rear window in high humidity
• No customer complaint; condition identified during a regular inspection

These symptoms do not generally affect the driving safety of the vehicle.

Vehicles Affected

This campaign applies to selected:

smart fortwo Coupé (451)
smart fortwo Cabrio (451)

Production period: 2007–2014

Vehicle eligibility must be confirmed using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Not every smart fortwo of model series 451 is affected.

Cause

Due to manufacturing tolerances, the tailgate seal may not provide the intended contact pressure against the vehicle body in a limited area.

During heavy rain or vehicle washing, this may allow a small amount of moisture to enter the outer area of the luggage compartment in isolated cases.

Customer Action

No additional workshop visit is required.

The customer may continue to use the vehicle as normal.

The technical campaign will automatically be carried out during the next regular workshop visit, provided the campaign is still open for the vehicle's VIN.

If the customer has already noticed significant water ingress, they may contact a service partner independently of this campaign.

Workshop Procedure

1. Verify Vehicle Eligibility

Check the VIN in the campaign or warranty system.

Proceed only if campaign TC-451-25-008 is shown as open for the vehicle.

2. Inspect Tailgate Seal

Open the tailgate and visually inspect the seal around its entire circumference.

In particular, check:

• Correct positioning of the seal
• Consistent contact with the vehicle body
• Deformation
• Damage or cracks
• Signs of water ingress
• Moisture in the adjacent interior area

3. Evaluate the Condition

Seal correctly positioned and undamaged

If no abnormalities are identified:

1. Verify the correct positioning of the seal.
2. Clean the specified area.
3. Document the technical campaign as completed.

Seal incorrectly positioned

If the seal is undamaged but incorrectly positioned:

1. Carefully release the seal.
2. Clean the contact surface.
3. Reposition the seal according to the repair instructions.
4. Verify consistent fitment.
5. Perform a leak test.

Seal damaged

If the seal shows cracks, permanent deformation, or other damage:

1. Replace the tailgate seal.
2. Install the new seal according to the repair instructions.
3. Verify correct fitment.
4. Perform a leak test.

Required Parts

Always verify the latest part number in the electronic parts catalog before ordering.

Required Tools

No special tools are required to perform this campaign.

Only the following are required:

• Standard workshop equipment
• Cleaning materials
• Inspection lamp
• Equipment for leak testing

Completion Criteria

The technical campaign can be marked as completed when:

• Vehicle eligibility has been confirmed using the VIN.
• The tailgate seal has been inspected.
• The seal has been repositioned or replaced if required.
• Correct sealing has been verified.
• Completion has been documented in the campaign system.

Warranty / Campaign Claim

Submit the completed work under campaign TC-451-25-008 using the applicable campaign operation code.

Replacement of the tailgate seal should only be claimed if damage or permanent deformation is identified during the inspection.

Important Notes

This technical campaign has a BLUE severity level.

The customer does not need to arrange a separate workshop appointment. The vehicle can continue to be used normally, and the campaign can be completed during the next regular workshop visit.

The campaign is VIN-specific. Not every smart fortwo of model series 451 is affected.