2008 smart Fortwo Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2008 smart Fortwo, and owners have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2008 smart Fortwo
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Exhaust system (engine and engine cooling) and engine (engine and engine cooling)
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.
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…
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Frame and members (structure)
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…
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.
140 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2008 smart Fortwo have filed 140 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 27 describe a fire. Reports cite 9 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 49,162 miles. Complaints peaked in 2018 with 20 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 p”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 20, 2026 · Electrical system
“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 noti”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 15, 2025 · Fuel/propulsion system
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 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every smart Fortwo model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 smart Fortwo | 0 | 2 |
| 2008 smart Fortwo | 2 | 140 |
| 2009 smart Fortwo | 1 | 100 |
| 2010 smart Fortwo | 0 | 6 |
| 2011 smart Fortwo | 0 | 16 |
| 2012 smart Fortwo | 0 | 8 |
| 2013 smart Fortwo | 0 | 25 |
| 2014 smart Fortwo | 0 | 13 |
| 2015 smart Fortwo | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 smart Fortwo | 1 | 21 |
| 2017 smart Fortwo | 1 | 7 |
| 2018 smart Fortwo | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 smart Fortwo | 1 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2008 smart Fortwo
How do I know if my 2008 smart Fortwo 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. 2 campaigns currently list the 2008 smart Fortwo; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
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 (for example 08V390000).
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
- Fortwo Cabrio28 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.