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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2008 Smart Fortwo Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2008 Smart Fortwo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 140 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Smart dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2008 Smart Fortwo, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2008 Smart Fortwo owner complaints

Owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Smart Fortwo, describing incidents dated May 21, 2008 to July 3, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 45 complaints
  • Power Train 32 complaints
  • Electrical System 20 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 17 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 11 complaints
  • Seat Belts 10 complaints

Of the 140 complaints on file, 7 report a crash and 27 a fire; across all 140 complaints, owners report 9 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11758392 · Filed

    I was entering an intersection and missed judged the traffic light and was a bit to far forward, so I tried to reverse but the car would not shift to reverse. I have had an actuator replaced but the problem still happens intermittently where it will not shift to reverse. I have logged into smart car…

  • ODI #11661330 · Filed

    The 90 degree fittings(integral to the fuel pump) on top of the fuel pump cracked and leaks gasoline leading to a potential fire that could cause bodily injury for the driver and passenger. It is noticeable because of strong gasoline smell inside and outside of the car. There are many of the same…

  • ODI #11616352 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2008 Smart Fortwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000(Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

Read all 140 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2008 Smart Fortwo in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Insulation Mat may Deform and cause Fire

NHTSA #18V273000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System · NHTSA notice

Reported April 27, 2018 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 42,781 vehicles

Repair completion: 50.14% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 2018060010 · Owners notified July 30, 2018 · Vehicles built September 20, 2007 – November 2, 2009 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

PAINTING MATERIAL DELAMINATION

NHTSA #08V390000 · Structure — Frame and Members · NHTSA notice

Reported August 7, 2008 · SMART USA DISTRIBUTOR LLC

Potentially affected: 43 vehicles

Smart campaign 0808-001 · Owners notified October 30, 2008 · Vehicles built April 1, 2008 – June 30, 2008 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

SMART USA RECALL NO.0808-001.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Smart Fortwo model years

Check your 2008 Smart Fortwo VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Smart Fortwo at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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