2008 Smart Fortwo

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2019· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ORLANDO (810 ORLANDO AVE, MAITLAND, FL 32751, (407) 680-0784) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

• 12/24/2008· POWER TRAIN

  THE FAILING PART IS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER. THE SHIFT LEVER RELEASE BUTTON BEGINS TO GET RESISTIVE IN IT'S OPERATION AND THEN FAILS TO ACTUATE ALL TOGETHER. IN MY CASE THIS RESULTED IN THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 8400 MILES. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 500 MILES SINCE THE REPAIR AND I CAN FEEL THE LEVER BECOMING RESISTIVE AGAIN. *TR

• 12/22/2014· AIR BAGS

  I RECENTLY HAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON MY CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO AN AUTHORIZED SMART CAR SHOP (MERCEDES BENZ). MB INFORMED THAT THE WIRES FROM THE SEAT BELT UNDERNEATH PASSENGER SEAT WERE FRAYED AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT SYSTEM. AFTER PAYING $400.00, FOR A NEW PASSENGER SEAT BELT, THE LIGHT CAME OFF. READING DIFFERENT FORUMS ONLINE, MANY SMART CAR OWNERS HAVE ALSO HAD EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE WIRES UNDERNEATH BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. *TR

• 12/20/2016· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE BRAKES AND THAT THE BRAKES AND SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000...UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF *CN

• 12/19/2012· STRUCTURE,VISIBILITY/WIPER

  THE PLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THE CLEAR ROOF PANEL ON SMART FORTWO PASSION MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO "CRAZE" OR HAZE OVER WITH FINE MARKS, THAT CATCH AND REFLECT THE SUN. THIS MAKES THE ROOF'S MATERIAL APPEAR TO WEAR DOWN DUE TO THE SUN'S UV LIGHT. OWNERS THAT PARK THEIR CARS IN GARAGES HAVE FEWER SYMPTOMS, AND ADVERSELY, THOSE WHO ALWAYS KEEP THEIR CAR OUTSIDE AND EXPOSED TO SUN SEE EXASPERATED ISSUES. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE MATERIAL WARPING DUE TO WEAR AND EXPERIENCING LEAKS AROUND THE EDGES. AS THE PANEL IS NOT A SUN ROOF, BUT INSTEAD THE VEHICLE'S ROOF ITSELF, THE PROBLEM IS NOT CHEAP TO REPAIR. THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN KNOWN TO "CRAZE" SINCE THE SMART FORTWO WAS UPDATED IN 2008, AND AS OF 2012 THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

• 12/13/2012· SEAT BELTS

  SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM BROKE. THIS, IN COMBINATION WITH THE FACT THAT THE SEATBELT MECHANISM ITSELF FREQUENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT, SUGGESTS THAT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS FAULTY. *TR

• 12/13/2008· POWER TRAIN

  MY CAR'S SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. I CANNOT SHIFT TO N (NEUTRAL), D (DRIVE), OR R (REVERSE). THIS EFFECTIVELY RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE. *TR

• 12/09/2021· STEERING

  2008 Smart Fortwo Pure, currently with 85,036 miles, factory equipped with optional POWER STEERING - ELECTRIC, power steering had worked fine until Fall 2020 when cold temperatures caused steering lock-up, until car interior warmed enough to unlock steering, behavior consistent throughout that winter. Once steering unlocked, steering was normal, until car sat & chilled sufficiently to re-lock steering, or fault disappeared with warmer Spring 2021 temperatures. NEW DEVELOPMENTS - December 2021, outside temperatures in the 20s F, it takes much longer, 30-60 minutes or longer with heat & blower on max heat, before steering unlocks. After steering unlocks, it can seem fully unlocked, BUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES STEERING NOW GETS DANGEROUSLY STIFF AND STICKY AND STUCK-IN-POSITION MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING. Unlike some vehicles with steering lockable by key position for theft deterrence, THERE IS NO STEERING-LOCK-BASED ANTI-THEFT FEATURE ON THE FORTWO. I hope you’ll agree that any vehicle whose steering may lock-up in operation at highway speeds as a function of U.S. midwestern winter temperatures has a life-threatening steering safety defect worthy of further investigation.

• 12/09/2011· SEAT BELTS

  THE SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER LATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AFTER REVIEWING THE FOLLOWING FORUM I REALIZED THIS IS EFFECTING SEVERAL OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F25/SEAT-BELT-BUCKLE-JAMMED-32961/INDEX2.HTML THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT BELT. *TR

• 12/07/2016· POWER TRAIN

  KNOW ISSUE WITH TRANSMISSION. WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE HALF THE TIME. MAKING IT DANGEROUS IF NEEDED QUICKLY. PARALLEL PARKING ON A BUSY STREET, THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE, HOLDING UP TRAFFIC FOR A VERY LONG TIME. HAVING TO PUSH IT INTO THE SPOT! MERCEDES SAYS IT IS A SOFTWARE PROBLEM. BUT THAT SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR PROBLEM. MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH AND THE CAR INSTANTLY STARTS FLASHING NEUTRAL AND BEEPING. CAR SLOWS AND WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. WE NEED THIS CAR TO BE RECALLED! *TR

• 12/04/2012· SEAT BELTS

  BOTH SEAT BELTS, BUT ESPECIALLY THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, LOSE TENSION AND ARE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE. THEY CAN STILL BE FASTENED, BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRAINT. I REQUESTED A REPAIR OF AT LEAST THE PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT DURING A 11/19/12 CAR REPAIR AND THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT MANY SMART FORTWO VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. HE WAS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND DID NOT. FROM READING THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT SEATBELTS OF SMART VEHICLES, THIS LAST OF PROPER RESTRAINT SEEMS TO BE AN ON-GOING PROBLEM. *TR

• 11/29/2012· SEAT BELTS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH. THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAME APART CAUSING THE HOOD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,424. UPDATED 12/11/12*LJ THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND HOOD LATCH WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/12

• 11/21/2011· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-40 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE VEHICLE FLIPPED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER RECEIVED INJURIES TO HER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE PENDING AN INVESTIGATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 7,000. ....UPDATED 12/03/12 *BF UPDATED 01/05/12

• 11/19/2013· POWER TRAINCrash

  THE 2008 SMART CAR, HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY, WHEN ENTERING, OR EXITING A HIGHWAY, OR AT AN INTERSECTION (SPEED CHANGES). THE CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN USUALLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE REAR ENDED, FROM UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS BEHIND THIS VEHICLE..THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE, WHILE PARKED..SMART OFFERED A SOFTWARE FIX, TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. HAD THAT DONE, THEN PROBLEM PROGRESSED, TO SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLING OUT...AT TIMES CAR, WOULD RESTART, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, INDICATING ONLY A FLASHING NEUTRAL POSITION. AT TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, BECAUSE WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN...IF WAITED 10-20 MINUTES, OR SEVERAL HOURS, IT MIGHT RESTART, AND SHIFT, FOR A SHORT PERIOD, BEFORE IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN...APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, WITH THE SMART CAR FORUMS, FULL OF COMPLAINTS, ABOUT THE 2008 YEAR, WITH SMART CO., AT TIMES, AUTHORIZING REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT WITH 2009 MECHANISMS, THAT DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL FOR THE 2008 SMART CAR, MODEL YEAR, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED, ENTERING, EXITING A HIGHWAY, AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, OR AT AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE CAR, SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, WON'T SHIFT OUT, AND SHUTS OFF... THANK YOU *TR

• 11/19/2013· POWER TRAINCrash

  THE 2008 SMART CAR, HAS BEEN CONSISTENTLY, SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY, WHEN ENTERING, OR EXITING A HIGHWAY, OR AT AN INTERSECTION (SPEED CHANGES). THE CAR SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN USUALLY SHUTS DOWN, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE REAR ENDED, FROM UNSUSPECTING DRIVERS BEHIND THIS VEHICLE..THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR, WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE, WHILE PARKED..SMART OFFERED A SOFTWARE FIX, TO ADDRESS THAT ISSUE. HAD THAT DONE, THEN PROBLEM PROGRESSED, TO SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, AND STALLING OUT...AT TIMES CAR, WOULD RESTART, BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR, INDICATING ONLY A FLASHING NEUTRAL POSITION. AT TIMES, CAR WOULD NOT START AT ALL, BECAUSE WOULD NOT KNOW WHAT GEAR IT WAS IN...IF WAITED 10-20 MINUTES, OR SEVERAL HOURS, IT MIGHT RESTART, AND SHIFT, FOR A SHORT PERIOD, BEFORE IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN...APPARENTLY IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM, WITH THE SMART CAR FORUMS, FULL OF COMPLAINTS, ABOUT THE 2008 YEAR, WITH SMART CO., AT TIMES, AUTHORIZING REPAIRS, AND REPLACEMENT WITH 2009 MECHANISMS, THAT DO NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE 2008 MODEL YEAR. THERE SHOULD DEFINITELY BE A RECALL FOR THE 2008 SMART CAR, MODEL YEAR, BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED, ENTERING, EXITING A HIGHWAY, AT A RAILROAD CROSSING, OR AT AN INTERSECTION, WHERE THE CAR, SHIFTS INTO NEUTRAL, WON'T SHIFT OUT, AND SHUTS OFF... THANK YOU *TR

• 11/16/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO 451 COUPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RESET THE COMPUTER FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CONNECTION BECAUSE IT WAS LOOSE. THREE MONTHS LATER THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE HE PAID $150 FOR THE FIRST REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,400.

• 11/12/2016· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE CARS TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SWITCH TO REVERSE INTERMITTENTLY ITS AN ELECTRICAL THINGS

• 11/10/2014· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  FAILURE TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE. GEARSHIFT MOVES BUT GEAR DISPLAY GOES BLANK AND CHIME SOUNDS. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO INTO DRIVE. IT MAY BE A SOLENOID PROBLEM. VERY FRUSTRATING AND IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. I NOW HAVE 38,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I EXPECT BETTER OUT OF DAMLIER BENZ. *TR

• 11/07/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  MY SON WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN HE NOTICED SMOKE IN THE FLOOR BOARD. HE WAS ABOUT .5 MILES FROM OUR HOUSE AND WENT TO TURN AROUND WHEN HE NOTICED FIRE IN THE BACK/ENGINE AREA OF THE CAR. HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN TO A HOUSE TO CALL 911. AS THE HOME OWNER WAS CALLING THEY HEARD THE CAR EXPLODE. THE ENTIRE CAR BURNED WITH ONLY THE METAL FRAME OF THE CAR, SEATS, ETC. LEFT STANDING. IN SEPTEMBER THE CAR PASSED THE STATE INSPECTION. WHEN MY HUSBAND AND I ARRIVED (WHICH WAS ONLY MINUTES FROM IT HAPPENING SINCE WE WERE ONLY .5 MILES AWAY) THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THANKFULLY MY SON WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. I'M ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE RAIN THAT HAD JUST STARTED BECAUSE IT SOAKED THE PREVIOUSLY DRY LEAVES AND TREES THAT COULD'VE BEEN ALSO ENGULFED IN THE FLAMES AND CAUSED HOME/PROPERTY DAMAGE TO OTHERS.

• 11/04/2016· POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,ENGINEFire

  WHILE DRIVING REAR MOTOR CAUGHT FIRE. *TR

• 10/30/2020· ENGINEFire

  WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH AT NIGHT, LIGHTS FLASHED ON/OFF, HER A THUMP AND POP, CAR AND LIGHTS SHUT OFF, THEN A LARGE FIRE ERUPTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED.

• 10/28/2008· VISIBILITY

  WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2008 SMART-FOR-TWO SINCE APPROXIMATELY 2-MONTH AFTER PURCHASE WITHOUT REAR-VIEW MIRROR. THE MOUNTING (METAL) TAB THAT WAS GLUED TO THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD HAD CAME LOOSE AND WE HAVE BEEN TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND OUT FROM THE FACTORY IN WHAT TO DO. APPARENTLY THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THE SMART-FOR-TWO. IS THERE A DOT REQUIREMENT TO HAVE REAR-VIEW MIRROR ON ALL MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATING ON US HIGHWAYS? *TR

• 10/20/2020· STRUCTURE

  2008 SMART FOR TWO PASSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR INSULATION MAT SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

• 10/17/2013· POWER TRAINCrash

  SMART CAR HAD HISTORY OF NOT GOING IN REVERSE. "R" WOULD NOT COME UP ON SCREEN, CAR WOULD JUST ROLL FORWARD, HITTING VEHICLE(S) IN FRONT. THEN FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, (2 YEARS) CAR WOULD GO INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING, (EVEN ON HIGHWAY) COAST FOR A WHILE, THEN SHUT DOWN, AND NOT RESTART. IF YOU WAITED 10 MINUTES, IT WOULD USUALLY RESTART. IF TRIED SOONER, IT EITHER WOULD NOT RESTART, OR ONLY GO INTO NEUTRAL. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE OTHER DAY, AFTER APPROACHING HILL, AT RED LIGHT, CAR WENT INTO NEUTRAL, THEN SHUT DOWN, AND BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND QUICK ENOUGH SINCE CAR TURNED OFF, AND HIT TWO (2) PEDESTRIANS, CROSSING IN INTERSECTION. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, WAITED 1 1/2 HOURS, WOULD RESTART AT TIMES, BUT STAYED IN NEUTRAL, (10/2013). HAD TO BE TOWED TO SMART/MERCEDES CENTER, QUOTED ME $3000, TO CHANGE ACTUATER, CLUTCH MOTOR, CLUTCH PRESS, CLUTCH PLATE, AND MAYBE MORE IF NEED TO REPLACE CLUTCH. SMART FORUMS ARE ALL FULL OF THE SAME PROBLEMS, WITH THE SMART CARS, ESPECIALLY THE 2008. MANUFACTURER MUST HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE BY NOW, BUT IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM, APPARENTLY CHANGED DESIGN AND CLUTCH PLATE ASSEMBLY FOR 2009 SMART CARS. BUT HAS NOT RECALLED 2008 YEAR WHERE PROBLEMS ARE COMMON, AND VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

• 10/16/2019· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LOCAL DEALERS NEAR THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

• 10/13/2010· POWER TRAIN

  I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 PASSIONFORTWO, WHICH HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN THE 28 MONTHS AND 13K MILES OF OWNERSHIP. I'M HAPPILY DRIVING ALONG UNTIL I REACH MY DESTINATION, THEN I NEED TO GO INTO REVERSE TO PARK. THE SHIFTER WORKS FLAWLESSLY AND THE DISPLAY CLEARLY SHOWS THE CORRECT POSITION OF THE SHIFTER. BUT, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE, NOR WILL IT ENGAGE IF I RESELECT DRIVE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENED, I EVENTUALLY TURNED OFF THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND ALL WAS WELL. THE LAST TWO TIMES, THAT WORK-AROUND HAD NO EFFECT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR FIVE MINUTES AND ONE HOUR, RESPECTIVELY, AND THEN HAD NO PROBLEM SELECTING ANY GEAR. A CAR THAT SUDDENLY WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR

• 10/09/2021· UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINEFire

  Engine fire destroyed vehicle while driving on Interstate at 65 MPH. Vehicle was serviced and maintained per manufacturer maintenance schedule at authorized dealer. No prior issues with vehicle. Vehicle also passed emission check on 09/29/2021 with no OBD error codes reported during inspection. Mileage: 60K

• 10/06/2015· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE AND FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE'S INSULATION CAUGHT FIRE ON THE HEAT SHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000...UPDATED 02/01/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *JS

• 10/01/2019· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOTORWORLD MILEONE AUTO GROUP (150 MOTORWORLD DR, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702, (866) 591-7116), BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

• 10/01/2018· ENGINEFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FOR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS DEVON MERCEDES-BENZ (214 W LANCASTER AVE, DEVON, PA 19333, (610) 687-1500) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE COMING OUT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,988. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB

• 09/30/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ENGINE STOPS AFTER MAKING A HARSH LEFT TURN- SUCH AS IN A U-TURN. CHECKED FOR PHYSICAL TOUCHING OF INSERTED KEY AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. MOTOR STARTS IMMEDIATELY WHEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND IGNITION KEY IS TURNED. *TR

• 09/25/2024· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLINGFire

  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 repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire. No warning lights illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle quickly and entered a mechanic shop and a mechanic put on safety gloves to extinguish the fire with a fire hose. The fire was able to be extinguished by the mechanic. The mechanic mentioned that the insulation mat detached from the vehicle and caught on fire. No injuries were sustained. A fire report was not filed since the fire department was not at the scene. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's parents' home where it remained. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts Distribution Disconnect

• 09/20/2019· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER AND LAWYER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE TWR AIR BAGS, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER: [XXX] (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.*TR*JB*JB ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB*JB*DT*JB

• 09/19/2012· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING STORE PARKING LOT, ENTERED CAR, STARTED ENGINE, MOVED GEAR SHIFT TO "R" BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THE "R" DOES NOT APPEAR IN DASHBOARD DISPLAY. TRY MOVING SHIFTER TO "D" BUT STILL NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT OR DASH DISPLAY.. SHIFT BACK TO "P" THAT NOW DISPLAYS ON DASH. TRY "R" AGAIN, NOTHING. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO ENGAGE TRANSMISSION FAIL, TURN ENGINE OFF, AND RESTART. NOW IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING CORRECTLY. THIS TYPE OF OCCURRENCE HAS HAPPENED MANY, MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST YEAR. CAN'T IDENTIFY WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THIS ISSUE, I.E. COLD ENGINE, HOT ENGINE, RAIN, HOT SUMMER DAY, COLD WINTER, IT HAPPENS UNDER ANY UNEXPECTED SITUATION.

• 09/16/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  DURING ROUTINE DRIVING, GRADUALLY SMELLED STRONGER GASOLINE ODORS. ODOR REMAINED WITH CAR WHILE PARKED & UNUSED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. SMELLED STRONG GASOLINE ODOR WHEN ENGINE RUNNING WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. OBSERVED GASOLINE IS SLOWLY DRIPPING UNDER CAR, FORWARD OF THE REAR-MOUNTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT, FROM HOLE LOCATED IN PLASTIC UNDERCAR SHIELD. HAVE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM LIKELY WITH FUEL TANKS THAT SMARTUSA OR MERCEDES REQUIRED TO BE MODIFIED BY G&K FOR AN EMISSIONS SYSTEM UPDATE PRIOR TO RETAIL SALE, MANY OWNERS REPORT GAS TANK CRACKS WHERE MODIFICATION HOSE FITTING ADDED, OR LEAKS AT THE MODIFIED FITTING DUE TO ADHESIVE OR SEALANT FAILURE. WORST-CASE, RAW GASOLINE OR GASOLINE VAPORS DRIFTING REARWARD ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS LIKE EXHAUST MANIFOLD REPRESENT A SERIOUS FIRE HAZARD. I DON'T YET KNOW THE EXACT SOURCE OF GASOLINE LEAK. THERE ARE MANY REPORTS OF THE SMART FORTWO CATCHING FIRE DURING OPERATION. PRAY THIS DEFECT WILL RECEIVE ATTENTION PRIOR TO FATALITY.

• 09/15/2022· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINEFire

  We were driving in Greensboro NC this afternoon on the way to my husbands birthday dinner when off of Bridford? Parkway our 2008 smart car passion for two started malfunctioning all lights flashing on instrument panel & brakes quit & another motorist drove up beside us with window down screaming GET OUT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!!! We managed to stop on side of road at woods & jumped out car was on fire looked like under back tires and engine in back! We grabbed what we could save & ran. 911 was called & fire and police came. 2 Witnesses also to event we have photos & videos. Our car burned all the way down to frame! Total loss! We could have died because we couldnt see the fire behind us under car & if not for the man we may have blown up!!

• 09/15/2021· ENGINE

  I am seeing melted and possible burnt material on the underside of the engine compartment cover and I am concerned for a fire to develop.. i have photos i will send

• 09/15/2018· SERVICE BRAKES

  ABS & BRAKE ICONS WERE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ON 9/13/2018. MECHANIC FOUND ABS MODULE TO BE FULL OF WATER, WHICH CORRODED CONNECTOR PINS IN THE ABS MODULE, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO FAIL. LACK OF ABS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO CAR OR PERSONAL INJURY.

• 09/15/2017· ENGINEFire

  WENT TO START CAR IN GARAGEWHEN IT MAKE AN ODD SOUND AND SMELLED OF SMOKE. TOKKO CAR IN TO DEALER AND THEY SAID TOP OF ENGINE AROUND VALVES WAS BLOWN. 46,000 MILES ON IT...BEEN HOLDING ON TO IT WAITING FOR A RECALL. CAR IS STILL IN MY SHED.

• 09/10/2014· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE STARTED NOT GOING INTO REVERSE WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM DRIVE. ALSO IF IDLING THEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE IT WILL NOT GO, IT WOULD GO TO NEUTRAL. *TR

• 09/09/2013· POWER TRAIN

  THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS AFTER STARTING THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE DASH BOARD SHIFT INDICATOR REMAINED ON THE "N" , BUT THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN REVERSE. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT, THEN WENT INTO REVERSE. WE LIVED WITH PROBLEM FOR A LONG TIME, BECAUSE WE, AT LEAST HAD A SOLUTION.JUST RECENTLY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013 MY WIFE CALLED ME FROM A SHOPPING PLAZA TELLING ME THAT THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE) IT TOOK ME ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF TURNING THE ENGINE ON AND OFF BEFORE THE CAR WAS ABLE TO GO INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND NOT ON A HIGHWAY OR TRYING TO PARALLEL ON A BUSY STREET. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, WHICH NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BY THE MERCEDES PEOPLE. AFTER VIEWING THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY SMART CAR 2008 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE ADVISE IF A CALL BACK HAS BEEN ISSUED OR WILL BE ISSUED. THANK YOU. *TR

• 09/08/2024· ENGINE

  Mercedes-Benz USA has no service centers on Long Island,NY that might fix the recall issue. For a time they were the only Smart Car service provider after Smart Car dealers were abandoned. MB USA currently will not do the recall and offers no reasonable alternative. The issue is potential engine compartment/total vehicle fire due to compartment insulation failure. Offers no suggestions for doing the recall service except one MB dealer in CT at one time might be able; if I research them.

• 09/06/2024· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  The contact's mother owns a 2008 Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was notified of the recall but informed the contact that the recall could not be serviced at their location. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer that was 180 miles away. The manufacturer was informed that the owner of the vehicle was elderly and would not be able to travel that far a distance yet was offered no additional assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

• 09/02/2009· TIRES

  VALVE STEM ON 2008 SMART FORTWO TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND CORRODES DUE TO SALT. VALVE STEM IS NOT REPLACEABLE SO THE ENTIRE SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. PART WAS REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET PART (WHICH HAS SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED WORKING). OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

• 09/01/2017· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  2008 SMART PASSION, 116K MILES, MAINTAINED AT RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVALS: CONDITION: VEHICLE IN USE, VARIOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS: "OLD GAS" SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE AFTER A BREAK FROM USAGE OF ~4-8 HOURS. "FRESH GAS" SMELL OUTSIDE VEHICLE NEAR THE REAR, AFTER VEHICLE IS USED. NO SMELL INSIDE OR OUTSIDE IF VEHICLE IS LEFT TO STAND 2-3 DAYS. INSPECTION: NO FLUID LEAKS OBSERVED UNDER CAR. CONDITION IS REPEATING/REPEATABLE. UPON REMOVING RH REAR LAMP INSPECTION PLATE, GAS SMELL WAS FOUND TO BE GREATER. NO VISUAL EVIDENCE OF OVERFILL ON THE FUEL FILLER TUBE OBSERVABLE INSIDE INSPECTION COVER. NO WET OR MOIST DUST/DIRT FOUND IN OR NEAR SAME. INSPECTED UNDER-CAR, FORWARD OF ENGINE FOR EVIDENCE OF LEAKING, NONE FOUND. INSPECTED ENGINE COMPARTMENT FUEL RAIL AND FUEL RETURNS. NO LEAKS/SEEPS FOUND. NO INSULATION DEGRADATION FOUND, NO MODIFICATIONS OR FOREIGN MATERIAL FOUND. CONCERN: SIMILAR YEAR/MODEL/MILEAGE SMARTS HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS HAVING CAUGHT FIRE "IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT". ONE ONLINE RESOURCE HAS DOCUMENTED CRACKED/BROKEN FUEL PUMP OUTLET/INLET/BYPASS NIPPLES (WHICH RESULTED IN AN OBSERVED POOL OF GAS UNDER THE CAR). ACTION: FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE FUEL TANK, PUMP AND VAPOR-RECOVERY SYSTEMS ARE PLANNED.

• 09/01/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  IN MY GARAGE I TRIED TO START CAR AFTER EMPTYING WATER FROM FLOODED BATTERY BOX AND ALLOWING TO DRY FOR 4 DAYS. ELECTRICAL CABLE RUNNING THROUGH BATTERY BOX CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH, SEE PICTURE. BATTERY BOX FLOODED FROM A/C CONDENSATION TUBE DISCONNECT IN BATTERY BOX, SEE PICTURE, WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON SMARTUSA BLOG.

• 09/01/2014· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FRACTURE IN THE PLASTIC NIPPLE AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP WHICH CONNECTS THE FUEL PUMP OUTPUT TO THE ENGINE. THIS CONDITION ALLOWED GASOLINE TO SPRAY ALL OVER THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER'S FIELD REPRESENTATIVE WHO WAS PRESENT WHEN THE DEFECT WAS DISCOVERED STATED THAT THIS WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

• 08/31/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE, FOUND VEHICLE BATTERY BOX AND PASSENGER SEAT FLOODED DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION TUBE JOINT LOCATED IN THE BATTERY BOX DISCONNECTED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, VEHICLE WILL NOT START, EVEN AFTER EMPTYING THE WATER FROM THE BATTERY BOX AND RECHARGING THE BATTERY. HAVE A READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE ON THE SMART BLOG. POSSIBLE ELECTRIC SHOCK ISSUE AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTS OUT.

• 08/30/2024· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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 local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer suggested that the vehicle be towed to another local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

• 08/28/2015· SEAT BELTS

  SEAT BELT LIGHT STAYS ON. CAME ON FOR NO REASON.