repaired · 2026 Q1
Engine and engine cooling: engine
Risk. If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
2009 Smart FortwoProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 100 owner complaints about the 2009 Smart Fortwo, most often about the power train. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 18V-273 the manufacturer reports only 41% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 22, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2009 Smart Fortwo has problems
100 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
27Power train
19Engine6 crash/fire/injury
14Electrical system5 crash/fire/injury
10Structure2 crash/fire/injury
9Engine and engine cooling1 crash/fire/injury
8Fuel/propulsion system
5Wheels
5Seat belts
5Tires
1812 other systems4 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 27 | 0 |
| Engine | 19 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 5 |
| Structure | 10 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 0 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 |
| Tires | 5 | 0 |
| 12 other systems | 18 | 4 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2009 Smart Fortwo recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Smart.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
40kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 24 power train complaints. 92% were reported before 100,000 miles.
10under 30k miles22under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2009 vs. every other Fortwo 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 median. How we score
'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2009 Smart Fortwo safety ratings
2009 Smart Fortwo 2-Dr. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2009 Smart Fortwo, and the recalls they led to.
- Engine Compartment FireLed to recall 18V-273
- Engine Compartment FireLed to recall 18V-273
In owners' words
What Fortwo owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2009 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off, the contact waited, and then restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The failure had occurred several times while…
The contact owns a 2009 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that on multiple occasions when the vehicle was parked and the gear shifter was shifted, the transmission would only shift into neutral. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was…
2008 Smart Fortwo has a recall open for reprograming the transmission computer because of rough shifting and bucking while shifting and lugging the engine to much before down shifting. Mine is a 2008 but the VIN was not included in the recall and I am having the same problems with mine. Can mine be…
Own a 2009 Fortwo?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.