2008 smart Fortwo Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2008 smart Fortwo has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Recall 18V273000 repair parts unavailable.” Smart follows the Mercedes playbook in miniature: alternating A and B services every 10,000 miles or 12 months. The gas car's Mitsubishi-built 1.0 liter is simple to keep, with plugs at 30,000 miles and coolant on a 4-year clock. Its automated-manual transmission has no scheduled fluid service at all; the clutch actuator is a wear item that gets relearned or replaced when it acts up, not on a schedule. The Electric Drive and EQ cars simplify further, down to brake fluid every 2 years, cabin filter, and one oddball item unique to Smart: a desiccant cartridge for the battery cooling system, replaced every 2 years. All versions are city cars whose brakes and batteries age from sitting more than driving.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2008 smart Fortwo.

Reported to NHTSA

Recall 18V273000 repair parts unavailable

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2018-05 → 2024-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11612995
“THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11096608
“THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED MIDSTATE AUTO GROUP INC. AT (508) 832-8886 (LOCATED AT 810 WASHINGTON ST,”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11111657

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Failure to shift into reverse or drive gear

POWER TRAIN

36 NHTSA complaints · 2008-12 → 2026-08

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11292231
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552988
“ON MY 2008 SMART CAR PASSION AT 36,585 MILES THE CLUTCH PLATE AND ACTUATOR BECAME DEFECTIVE AFTER ONLY THREE MONTHS OF DRIVING. I REPAIRED THIS ISSUE AND AT 81,000 MILES THE SAME ISSUE ON THE SAME PART BECAME DEFECTIVE. I PUT ON HIGH MILES DO TO THE NATURE OF MY BUSINESS WHICH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10307796

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire tied to insulation mat recall

ENGINE

29 NHTSA complaints · 2015-10 → 2024-09

“ON JULY 28 2017 I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY CAR "DIED". LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE CAR THAT WAS FOLLOWING ME ALSO PULLED OVER AND THE MAN WAS YELLING THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. I HAD NO PREVIOUS WARNING. NO SMELL, NO SOUNDS, NO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11011565
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132462
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10780222

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump fitting crack with gasoline leak

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

8 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2025-05

“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 noticeable because of strong gasoline smell inside and outside of the car. There”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11661330
“AS MY WIFE WAS FILLING THE GAS TANK IT FAILED TO BUILD BACK PRESSURE THAT WOULD NORMALLY SHUT OFF THE GAS PUMP. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THEN ON MON. THE 19TH OF JUNE AFTER WORK MY WIFE COMPLAINED OF A STRONG GAS ODER INSIDE THE VEHICLE. SHE DROVE THE CAR TO WORK ON TUES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11000905
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10629843

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt fails to retract or latch

SEAT BELTS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2011-12 → 2018-02

“THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, WHICH SHOWS THEY DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONCERNED THEY WILL FAIL IF I'M EVER IN A CRASH. :( THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME A SEAT BELT IS UNFASTENED. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW YEARS. CALLED A LOCAL MECHANIC TO ASK IF THEY COULD FIX IT, BUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11072693
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10488696
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10439219

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Airbag warning light and restraint system malfunction

AIR BAGS

7 NHTSA complaints · 2010-11 → 2019-09

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11256921
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10667650
“THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM LIGHT INDICATES A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS FAILURE HAS HAPPEN. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD GROUND. THE SECOND TIME IT FAILED THE DEALER REPLACED THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT. MY CONCERN IS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10619122

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering lockup or loss of assist

STEERING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-07 → 2021-12

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11443181
“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW COUNTRY MERCEDES-BENZ LOCATED AT 1 WESTON ST, HARTFORD, CT 06120, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11338562
“WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO MOVE TO THE RIGHT. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL HE NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WOULD IN THE SAME DIRECTION WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A MAILBOX. NO ONE WAS INJURED. A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10340958

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Oil & Filter Change (A/B Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Every 10,000 miles or 12 months at each A and B service on gas cars. Three quarts of the right oil; small sump, no slack.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Brake Fluid

Every 20,000 mi

Every 2 years on gas and electric alike.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Tire Check

Every 10,000 mi

The Fortwo runs different sizes front and rear, so no rotation; wear and age get checked at every service instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

At every service. City cars sit; sticking calipers are more common than worn pads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles on the US schedule for the 1.0 liter three-cylinder.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 20,000 mi

Every 20,000 miles on the US schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 10,000 mi

Replaced with each annual service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Coolant (and EV Desiccant Cartridge)

Every 40,000 mi

Gas cars: every 4 years or 40,000 miles. Electric Drive and EQ: the drive coolant has no scheduled change, but the battery-cooling desiccant cartridge is replaced every 2 years, an item easy to miss at a non-specialist shop.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transmission

On condition / lifetime

The automated single-clutch gearbox has no factory-scheduled fluid service. Some specialists change the fluid around 50,000 miles as insurance; that is their recommendation, not Smart's. Jerky shifting usually means the clutch actuator needs a relearn.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Drive Belt

Every 60,000 mi

Replaced around 60,000 miles on US data, inspected at services.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

26 crashes 1990–2024

How the 26 occupant deaths break down

23

driver deaths

3

passenger deaths

26

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2009 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

7

complaints mentioning a crash

27

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2008 smart Fortwo reflects Smart's published service intervals and the Mercedes-Benz A/B Service system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.