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2008 Smart Fortwo CoupeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 20 owner complaints about the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe, most often about the power train. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints202 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage22kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 23, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe has problems

20 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
Power train70
Structure40
Service brakes, hydraulic20
Engine and engine cooling21
Fuel system, gasoline20
Electrical system10
Electronic stability control (ESC)10
Engine10
Equipment10
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 Coupe 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 Coupe 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 Coupe median. How we score

'08'14'15'16
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe, 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 Coupe owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

SEVERAL TIMES MY 2008 SMART WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE GEAR.OR START SOMETIMES AS EXPLAINED IN MANY OTHER POST HERE. MB SAID THAT ITS MY CLUTCH ASSEMBY, MB REPORT SAYS (1) TRANSMISSION NEED TO BE REMOVED INSPECT CLUTCH DISK PRESSURE PLATES AND THOWOUT BEARING/ CLUTCH WILL NOT TEACH IN CAUSING ENGINE…
Complaint 10777782 · Sep 25, 2015 · 38,326 miles
THIS CAR HAS PERIODICALLY FAILED TO GO INTO REVERSE AND DRIVE. LAST EVENT THAT I EXPERIENCED IS WHEN I ACTUALLY REALIZED IT TO BE AN SAFETY ISSUE. I GOT INTO MY CAR THAT WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY TO TAKE MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. I STARTED THE CAR AS USUAL AND PROCEEDED TO PLACE IT IN REVERSE. IT WAS…
Complaint 10760696 · Sep 1, 2015 · 22,000 miles
I OWN 2 OF THE 2008 SMART FORTWO AUTOMOBILES (PURE & CABRIO). BOTH HAVE PERIODICALLY BEEN BALKY SHIFTERS (STUCK WHEN TRYING TO MOVE THE GEAR SELECTOR OUT OF PARK). ONE HAS BRIEFLY REFUSED TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, INDEPENDENT OF THE GEAR INDICATED. BOTH HAVE BRIEFLY REFUSED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK...…
Complaint 10552970 · Nov 19, 2013 · 38,760 miles

Own a 2008 Fortwo Coupe?

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