try.vin
Log in

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2009 Smart Fortwo Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2009 Smart Fortwo has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 100 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 2009 Smart Fortwo, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2009 Smart Fortwo owner complaints

Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Smart Fortwo, describing incidents dated March 15, 2009 to July 31, 2025.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 28 complaints
  • Power Train 27 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 18 complaints
  • Electrical System 14 complaints
  • Structure 10 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 9 complaints

Of the 100 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 11 a fire; across all 100 complaints, owners report 2 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11682335 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2009 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off, the contact waited, and then restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The failure had occurred several times while…

  • ODI #11612872 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

  • ODI #11611680 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz 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 local dealer and several unknown dealers were contacted and informed the contact…

Read all 100 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2009 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.

Other Smart Fortwo model years

Check your 2009 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.

Check a Smart VIN