The 2008 Smart Fortwo has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 42,824 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 175 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18V2730002018-04-2742,781 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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 number for this recall is 2018060010.
STRUCTURE08V3900002008-08-0743 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
SUCH DE LAMINATING CAN TAKE PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE BODY WHERE THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF HAVE BEEN AFFIXED WITH ADHESIVE, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE ADHESION OF THOSE COMPONENTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEPARATION. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF THE ROOF OR WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN…
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.
Complaints by component
ENGINE
33
16fires
POWER TRAIN
22
3crashes1fires6injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
18
4fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
17
1crashes7fires1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
10
2fires
SEAT BELTS
10
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
8
1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES
6
1fires
AIR BAGS
5
2crashes1injuries1deaths
Total complaints175
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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 are many of the same…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“The contact owns a 2008 mercedes-benz smart fortwo. The contact received a notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling). The parts were available; however, the dealer list the manufacturer provided that the recall repair instructions were not available. The contact…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationEA17003 Opened 2017-09-01 · closed 2018-08-21
Engine Compartment Fire
On April 30, 2018, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, (Mercedes-Benz) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in a vehicle fire starting from the engine compartment in 42,781 model year (MY) 2008 and 2009 Smart Fortwo cabrio and coupe vehicles (451 platform).According to…
InvestigationPE16016 Opened 2016-12-16 · closed 2017-11-20
Engine Compartment Fire
On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-016 to investigate eight complaints alleging incidents of engine compartment fire while driving or shortly after engine shutdown in model year (MY) 2008 through 2009 Smart Fortwo vehicles.The complaints appeared to…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2008 Smart Fortwo as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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