2009 Smart Fortwo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (20) · Engine (13) · Engine And Engine Cooling (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Smart Fortwo model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
71 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2018-04-27 · campaign 18V273000 · 42,781 vehicles
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.
Risk: If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (51)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. cause fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. it does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 51 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-08-22 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 74,254 mi“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 driving. the contact stated that while depressing the …”
2024-09-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz smart fortwo. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was made aware of the iss…”
2024-08-29 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz 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 and several unknown dealers were contacted and informed the contact that they did not service smart vehicles. the con…”
2024-08-03 · Unknown Or Other“when starting the car, the transmission will not respond to the shifter being put into any gear. a computer diagnostic says it is a communications issue. mercedes, who sold the car to me new, refuses to do any repair work as they have discontinued smart sales in the us. if the communications for the transmission fails during operation, this will…”
2023-05-02 · Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems · 37,000 mi“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 depressed. additionally, the tire pressure warning light …”
2022-10-24 · Power Train“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 added to the recall?…”
2022-02-07 · Air Bags · 127,000 mi“the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. the contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and would not turn off. the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the driver’s side air bag replaced. the vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. the independ…”
2021-11-21 · Fuel/Propulsion System“fuel pump connectors cracked leaking fuel. …”
2021-08-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“electric fuel pump inlet and outlet nipples to fuel hoses broke and caused fuel leakage.…”
2021-08-13 · Engine And Engine Cooling“the contact owns a 2009 mercedes-benz smart fortwo. the contact stated while attempting to have the vehicle repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling) but was denied repair due to the vehicle being a smart car. the manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that since the vehicle was not a mercedes-be…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.