2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio Recalls, Complaints & Specs
No safety recalls list the 2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio, and owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
No safety recalls on record
NHTSA's recall database lists no safety campaigns that include the 2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio. That is good news, with two caveats: recalls can be issued at any time (this page refreshes daily), and a recall filed under a related model name may not appear here. The VIN check above queries NHTSA directly for your exact vehicle.
17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA; 1 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 1 injury and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 39,427 miles. Complaints peaked in 2013 with 3 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Can not turn ignition key to start the car. Car was parked in a parking lot. After several hours had to pry up console to switch the the yellow up. Then had to put gear in neutral. Put oil in gear sha”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 24, 2021 · Electrical system
“This concerns NHTSA recall #18v273. I bought this car new at a dealer 30 miles from my home. Smart has left the us market and their website shows the closest dealer is 220 miles away (one direction).”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 28, 2020 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2008 smart fortwo (fortwo convertible, fortwo coupe). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 36 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 33 / 41 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 3 cyl, 1 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
Compare smart Fortwo Cabrio model years
Recall and complaint counts for every smart Fortwo Cabrio model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio | 0 | 17 |
| 2009 smart Fortwo Cabrio | 0 | 11 |
Checking a specific 2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio
How do I know if my 2008 smart Fortwo Cabrio has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised smart dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number.
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other smart models
- Fortwo346 complaints
- Fortwo Coupe23 complaints
- Fortwo Coupe Electric7 complaints
- Fortwo Cabriolet2 complaints
- Fortwo Convertible Electr1 complaints
- Fortwo Convertible0 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.