2008 Smart FORTWO COUPE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
20 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
19,257 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 20 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 20 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 25.0% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 |
| Structure:Body | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Power Train: 4; Structure:Body: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Fuel System, Gasoline: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Electrical System: 1; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2008: 4; 2009: 3; 2010: 4; 2011: 3; 2013: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10231879 · 2008-06-21 (June 21, 2008)
APPROXIMATELY FOUR NIGHTS AGO, AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY, MY SMART CAR LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE AND I HAD NOT TOUCHED THE IGNITION, EVEN THE LIGHTS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE RADIO INSIDE THE CAR CUT OFF COMPLETELY. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS FORCED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND TURN THE KEY TO START THE VEHICLE BACK. AS SOON AS I DID THIS, THE CAR RETURNED TO NORMAL AND I COMPLETED THE JOURNEY HOME. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10231879 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233215 · 2008-07-04 (July 4, 2008)
I RECENTLY BOUGHT A SMART FOR TWO CAR FROM A PERSON IN ST. LOUIS, TECHNICALLY IT WAS "USED" BUT ON HAD LESS THAN 200 MILES ON IT. I THEN DROVE IT HOME TO INDIANA. ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL, SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS A CARD IN THE GLOVE BOX THAT YOU SEND IN IF YOU BUY THE CAR USED, THAT WAY THE SMART HEADQUARTERS KNOWS WHERE THE CAR IS, WHO THE NEW OWNER IS, AND HOW TO REACH YOU IN CASE OF A RECALL. THE CARD WAS MISSING SO I CALLED THE 800 NUMBER OF SMART HQ TO SEE IF THEY COULD REGISTER THE CAR FOR ME OVER THE PHONE. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT, …
Owner-reported narrative. 156 miles reported. Look up ODI 10233215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10244384 · 2008-10-04 (October 4, 2008)
GEAR SHIFTER STUCK IN PARK. UNABLE TO MOVE CAR. MANY OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM. SEE: HTTP://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F25/GEAR-KNOB-BUTTON-STUCK-4454/ HTTP://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F25/DIY-GEAR-SHIFT-REMOVAL-LUBE-SHORT-VIDEO-5428/ THIS APPEARS TO BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244384 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250028 · 2008-11-28 (November 28, 2008)
MY NEW SMART CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. THE BUTTON ON THE SHIFTER LEVER WOULD NOT DEPRESS. MANY OWNERS ARE FINDING THIS PROBLEM. THERE IS A DO-IT-YOURSELF FIX LISTED. HOWEVER THIS PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY MANUFACTURE AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPLACED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 6,789 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250028 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10261030 · 2009-03-07 (March 7, 2009)
GEARSHIFT BUTTON IS STUCK. CAR CANNOT BE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10261030 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10291052 · 2009-11-05 (November 5, 2009)
FUEL GAUGE STICKS AT 7/8 - MANY REPORTS TO SMART CAR OF AMERICA FORUMS. WILL NOT PROPERLY REPORT FUEL LEVELS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 16,513 miles reported. Look up ODI 10291052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297719 · 2009-12-31 (December 31, 2009)
I HAVE OWNED MY 2009 SMART FORTWO SINCE DECEMBER 2008 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM OCCUR TWICE. WHILE TOWING THE SMART ON A TRAILER BEHIND MY MOTORHOME ONE OF THE PINS HOLDING THE HOOD BROKE CAUSING THE HOOD TO COME OFF. THE HOOD IS HELD ON BY TWO PLASTIC PINS AND A CLOTH STRAP. THE STRAP RESTRAINED THE HOOD CAUSING IT TO FLAP AROUND THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO ALL THE FRONT PANELS AND THE WINDSHIELD. LUCKILY I WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR AT THE TIME. IF I HAD BEEN DRIVING WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 11,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10298992 · 2010-01-11 (January 11, 2010)
THE SERVICE FLAP (HOOD) ON MY 2009 SMART CAR HAS DETACHED TWICE. IN EACH INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED BEHIND A MOTORHOME. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT THE DEALERSHIP SENT ME A NEW HOOD AND I INSTALLED IT MYSELF AS THERE WAS NO DEALER WITHIN 1,500 MILES OF MY LOCATION. AFTER THE SECOND TIME AND WITH MORE DAMAGE DONE SMARTUSA IS CLAIMING THAT THE HOOD WAS NOT PROPERLY SECURED BY ME CAUSING IT TO COME OFF. THIS TIME EXTENSIVE DAMAGE OCCURRED TO THE VEHICLE. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED BEFORE AND THAT IN ALL INSTANCES SMART…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10298992 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.