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2008 Smart Fortwo CabrioProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 17 owner complaints about the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio, most often about the electrical system. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints174 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 24, 2021. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio has problems

17 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system51
Power train50
Seat belts20
Structure21
Engine20
Air bags11
Visibility10
Fuel/propulsion system11
Latches/locks/linkages10
1 other systems11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2008 vs. every other Fortwo Cabrio year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Fortwo Cabrio median. How we score

'08'09
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Engine Compartment FireEA17003 · closed Aug 21, 2018
    Led to recall 18V-273
  2. Engine Compartment FirePE16016 · closed Nov 20, 2017
    Led to recall 18V-273
In owners' words

What Fortwo Cabrio owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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 SHAFT AREA. PLUS BLOW OUT ANY DEBRIS THAT MIGHT HAVE FALLEN IN KEY HOLE. ALSO PUT LUBRICANT IN KEY…
Complaint 11397699 · Feb 24, 2021 · 90,100 miles
WE DROVE ABOUT 12 MILES TO A FRIENDS, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY, WENT INSIDE TO VISIT. IN 10-15 MINUTES WAS A KNOCK ON THE DOOR BY A NEIGHBOR WHO SAID "YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE". WE CALLED 911, EMPTIED A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO NO AVAIL. I TOOK MANY PHOTOS FROM START TO FINISH WHILE WAITING FOR THE FIRE…
Complaint 10676359 · Jan 18, 2015 · 86,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO CABRIO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED SOME TIME LATER. IN THE INTERIM, THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…
Complaint 10490202 · Dec 27, 2012 · 68,500 miles

Own a 2008 Fortwo Cabrio?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.