A government crash test of the 2008 Smart Fortwo micro car has found a safety concern in side-impact testing.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Smart two-door car its top score of five stars in side testing because of its protection against injuries.
But when NHTSA conducted the side test, the driver door unlatched and opened. The government says that could lead to a driver or passenger being ejected from the vehicle.
The vehicle received four out of five stars in the front-end crash on the driver's side. On the passenger side, it received three out of five stars.
A Smart spokesman did not immediately comment on Thursday. Smart began selling the micro cars in the United States this year.