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2008 Smart Fortwo Recalls & Complaints

2

open safety recalls on record

Critical

175 owner complaints filed · Severity Index 0.91 · updated 2026-08-07

The recalls

Critical18V273000

Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can raises the risk of a fire.

Remedy & full details

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.

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.

Serious08V390000

Structure:Frame And Members

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, raises the risk of SEPARATION.

Remedy & full details

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.

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 REPAINT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS COULD LEAD TO DE LAMINATION OF THE PAINT MATERIALS FROM THE BODY AND FRAME STRUCTURES.

Complaint volume

175 this model-year 9 median, same year

Volume alone is not a fault rate — popular vehicles attract more reports. Read it next to the severity mix below.

What owners reported happened

7Crashes
33Fires
9Injuries
1Deaths

Across 175 complaints. Severity Index 0.91.

Severity Index weights each complaint's reported outcome (death ×10, injury ×4, fire ×3, crash ×2) and divides by total complaints. It measures how severe reports are, not how often faults occur.

What owners report most

Engine33 · 19%Power Train22 · 13%Electrical System18 · 10%Unknown Or Other17 · 10%Engine And Engine Cooling10 · 6%Seat Belts10 · 6%Power Train · Automatic T…9 · 5%Fuel/Propulsion System8 · 5%
  1. Engine — 33 reports
  2. Power Train — 22 reports
  3. Electrical System — 18 reports
  4. Unknown Or Other — 17 reports
  5. Engine And Engine Cooling — 10 reports
  6. Seat Belts — 10 reports
  7. Power Train:Automatic Transmission — 9 reports
  8. Fuel/Propulsion System — 8 reports
  9. Service Brakes — 6 reports
  10. Air Bags — 5 reports

What to do

  1. Find your 17-character VIN on the driver's door jamb or the base of the windscreen.
  2. Check it against NHTSA's official lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls — the authoritative record for your exact car.
  3. Book the repair with any franchised dealer. Safety recall work is free, with no time limit and regardless of who owns the car now.

Other model years

2005 · 2008 · 2009 (1) · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 (1) · 2017 (1) · 2019 (1)

Numbers in brackets are open recall campaigns for that year.

Questions

Does an open recall mean the car is unsafe to drive?

Not usually. NHTSA issues a "do not drive" or "park outside" advisory when a defect is dangerous enough to keep you out of the car — those are flagged Critical above. Everything else should be repaired promptly but is not an immediate stop-driving order.

Do I pay for recall repairs?

No. Federal law requires the manufacturer to fix a safety recall free of charge, including parts and labour, whether or not you are the original owner.

Why are there complaints but no recalls?

Complaints are unverified reports filed by owners. They can prompt an investigation, but many never become recalls — either the fault isn't safety-related or it isn't widespread.

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