2008 Smart FORTWO: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
140 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
39,229 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2008 model year. Data snapshot: . 108 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 33 of 140 complaints (23.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 17 | 12.1% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 8.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 5.0% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 2.9% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 2.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 33 |
| Power Train | 23 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 10 |
| Seat Belts | 10 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 9 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
Engine: 33; Power Train: 23; Electrical System: 19; Unknown Or Other: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling: 10; Seat Belts: 10; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 9; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 31 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 34 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 31; 25,000 to 49,999: 34; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 3
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 32 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 | 3 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 9 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 20 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2008: 3; 2009: 6; 2010: 10; 2011: 9; 2012: 9; 2013: 4; 2014: 16; 2015: 8; 2016: 11; 2017: 18; 2018: 20; 2019: 7; 2020: 7; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2024: 5; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 8 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 10246966 · 2008-10-28 (October 28, 2008)
WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2008 SMART-FOR-TWO SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2-MONTH AFTER PURCHASE WITHOUT REAR-VIEW MIRROR. THE MOUNTING (METAL) TAB THAT WAS GLUED TO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD HAD CAME LOOSE AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM THE FACTORY IN WHAT TO DO. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE SMART-FOR-TWO. IS THERE A DOT REQUIREMENT TO HAVE REAR-VIEW MIRROR ON ALL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATING ON US HIGHWAYS? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10246966 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10251656 · 2008-12-13 (December 13, 2008)
MY CAR'S SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. I CANNOT SHIFT TO N (NEUTRAL), D (DRIVE), OR R (REVERSE). THIS EFFECTIVELY RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,334 miles reported. Look up ODI 10251656 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252757 · 2008-12-24 (December 24, 2008)
THE FAILING PART IS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER. THE SHIFT LEVER RELEASE BUTTON BEGINS TO GET RESISTIVE IN IT'S OPERATION AND THEN FAILS TO ACTUATE ALL TOGETHER. IN MY CASE THIS RESULTED IN THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 8400 MILES. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 500 MILES SINCE THE REPAIR AND I CAN FEEL THE LEVER BECOMING RESISTIVE AGAIN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 8,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252757 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253804 · 2009-01-05 (January 5, 2009)
I PURCHASED A SMART PASSION ON ABOUT SEPTEMBER 19, 2008. WHEN I WENT FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH THE SALES REPRESENTATIVE, HE WAS SHOWING ME ALL THE FEATURES OF THE CAR AND WHEN HE GOT TO THE SUN SHADE WHICH BLOCKS OUT EXCESSIVE LIGHT FROM THE GLASS ROOF, THE REP. HAD DIFFICULTY OPERATING THE SHADE AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS BEING RECALLED. APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK AFTER THANKSGIVING, MY SHADE BECAME COMPLETELY DYSFUNCTIONAL IN THE OPEN POSITION. I NOTIFIED THE SMART NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARE CENTER BY PHONE & THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SHADE WAS NOT RECALLED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 4,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10255590 · 2009-01-19 (January 19, 2009)
GEAR SHIFT LEVER FREEZES IN PARK & THEREFORE WILL NOT ALLOW CAR TO MOVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10255590 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10256870 · 2009-01-29 (January 29, 2009)
GAS GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER FULL ON FILL UPS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10256870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258813 · 2009-02-16 (February 16, 2009)
GAS GAUGE ON 2009 SMART FORTWO WILL NOT REGISTER FULL ON FILL UP. CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES TO HAVE REPAIRED AND THEY HAVE REPLACED EVERYTHING ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. STILL CANNOT FIX. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262876 · 2009-03-24 (March 24, 2009)
SINCE NEW. CAR HAS PROBLEM MOVING FROM PARK INTO GEAR, EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. EVEN WHEN GEARSHIFT MOVES AND INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS GEAR, DOES NOT ENGAGE. SAME PROBLEM MOVING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. GEARSHIFT STICKS ON OCCASION AND IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10262876 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
08V390000 · Structure:Frame And Members
Reported: 2008-08-07 (August 7, 2008)
SMART USA IS RECALLING 43 MY 2008 FORTWO 451 VEHICLES. A SINGLE BATCH OF PAINT SENT TO THE COMPANY DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. A RE-WORK WAS DONE IN THE PLANT USING DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF PAINTING MATERIALS. AFTER THE RE-WORK WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COMBINATION OF MATERIALS USED TO REPAINT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS COULD LEAD TO DE LAMINATION OF THE PAINT MATERIALS FROM THE BODY AND FRAME STRUCTURES.
Consequence: SUCH DE LAMINATING CAN TAKE PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE BODY WHERE THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF HAVE BEEN AFFIXED WITH ADHESIVE, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE ADHESION OF THOSE COMPONENTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEPARATION. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF THE ROOF OR WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAINT THE AFFECTED AREAS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMART USA AT 1-248-648-2451.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
Reported: 2018-04-27 (April 27, 2018)
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.
Consequence: If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.
NHTSA campaign record ↗