Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2008 Smart Fortwo, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine33
- Power train32
- Electrical system20
- Unknown or other17
- Engine and engine cooling12
- Seat belts10
- Structure8
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Service brakes6
- Air bags5
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 9 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 11 2008 Fortwo vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 9 people died inside them, and 3 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
Engines
The most common engines in 2008 Smart Fortwo cars on Dutch roads are the 1.0 petrol (52 kW, 70 hp), 1.0 petrol (45 kW, 60 hp) and 1.0 petrol (62 kW, 83 hp), out of 4 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 52 kW 70 hp | 515 |
| 1.0 petrol | 45 kW 60 hp | 166 |
| 1.0 petrol | 62 kW 83 hp | 75 |
| 1.0 petrol | 72 kW 97 hp | 20 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
799 first registered in 2008 are on Dutch roads; 14% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €13,899.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde395
- Band onvoldoende profiel176
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld172
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm165
- Veer gebroken of gescheurd151
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)144
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt117
- Richtingaanwijzers kleur wijkt af/niet toegestaan108
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
4,300 cars built in 2008 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 589 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 688 of these cars first registered in 2008 took their annual MOT test. 63% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2008 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2008 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 18.6% | 19.8% |
| Suspension | 12.1% | 17.2% |
| Brakes | 11.5% | 11.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 5.8% | 7.3% |
| Tyres | 5.7% | 7.6% |
| Visibility | 5.1% | 6.7% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
55 2008 cars are on the New Zealand register; 40% arrived as used imports, 51% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
1 Transport Canada recall for the 2008 Smart Fortwo.
| 2018215 27 Apr 2018 | Engine On certain vehicles, the rear insulation mat within the engine compartment might deform, deteriorate and loosen, allowing it to contact hot exhaust system compo… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Smart told its dealers about the 2008 Smart Fortwo: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009122 | Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place on pump fitting. 3.4. Washer fluid hose will not stay on pump fitting, although connector OK. 4. Washer fluid line. 4.1 Connector will not stay on pump fitting because it is broken. 4.2 Sealing ring in connector missing. 4.3 Sealing ring in connector fitted, but deformed and therefore leaks. 4.4 Damage to washer l |
| 11008091 | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protrudin |
| 11007974 | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine if physical fogging exists or if the headlamp is leaky. Remedy In advance, observe LI82.10-P-078301 "Headlamps or Front Fog Lamps Leaking or Fogged". 1. Prepare headlamp/check for external damage: For headlamps with a closed system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and check also for cor |
| 11007753 | Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an eng |
| 11005294 | Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the ve |
| 10167526 | Highline can only be operated to a limited extent or not at all; the input points (contact points) are shifted horizontally relative to the display; calibration is not possible. |
| 10167515 | PreConditioning of the vehicle via the Vehicle Homepage or the instrument cluster does not function or is restricted. |
| 10167514 | PreConditioning of the vehicle via the Vehicle Homepage or the instrument cluster does not function or is restricted. |
| 10167486 | Range does not meet customer's expectations. Customers usually differentiate as follows: 1. Total of distance driven + indicated range remaining with one HV battery charge too low 2. Actual range until the drive system shuts down too low |
| 10167028 | If the Radio 9 was switched off while driving, it can switch itself back on again the next time the engine is started. |
| 10167004 | 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. |
| 10157087 | Switching noise from climate relay |
| 10154012 | Smart audio system - Radio inoperative - New software available |
| 10154008 | Media system, poor sound quality via AUX IN |
| 10153996 | Vehicle Range ? Voltage difference of cells too great |
| 10151978 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151977 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151976 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151975 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151974 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151956 | smart media system: Telephone connection is made, communication is not possible |
| 10151928 | ATA operates without obvious cause |
| 10144276 | Light switch/combination switch, fault code stored |
| 10144134 | Condenser leaking |
| 10144079 | Charging socket/charging cable: Charging cable lock jams (P12E900, P13E800) |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Engine Compartment Fire
Engine Compartment Fire
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation