Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2008 Smart Fortwo
NHTSA data on file today
The 2008 Smart Fortwo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 140 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #18V273000 Insulation Mat may Deform and cause Fire NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #08V390000 PAINTING MATERIAL DELAMINATION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 33 complaints
- Power Train 32 complaints
- Electrical System 20 complaints
- Unknown or Other 17 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 12 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $3,500–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2008 Smart FORTWO has notable issues with its engine and power train, highlighted by complaints and a recall for the rear insulation mat. While it offers budget-friendly ownership, frequent power train and engine problems affect reliability.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine | 50,000–80,000 miles | $1,500–$3,000 | very common |
| power train | 60,000–100,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | common |
| electrical system | 40,000–70,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil changes every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter every 20,000 miles
- Transmission service every 40,000 miles
- Coolant replacement every 60,000 miles
- Brake fluid exchange every 25,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Exhaust smoke or engine noise
- Unusual transmission shifting
- Persistent electrical faults
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2008 Smart Fortwo at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.