NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
12 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Sep 25, 2024
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
The contact owns a 2008 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while …
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The contact owns a 2008 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire. No warning lights illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle quickly and entered a mechanic shop and a mechanic put on safety gloves to extinguish the fire with a fire hose. The fire was able to be extinguished by the mechanic. The mechanic mentioned that the insulation mat detached from the vehicle and caught on fire. No injuries were sustained. A fire report was not filed since the fire department was not at the scene. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's parents' home where it remained. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts Distribution Disconnect
NHTSA ODI #11616352
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact's mother owns a 2008 Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was notified of the recall but informed the contact that the recall could not be serviced at their location. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred …
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The contact's mother owns a 2008 Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was notified of the recall but informed the contact that the recall could not be serviced at their location. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer that was 180 miles away. The manufacturer was informed that the owner of the vehicle was elderly and would not be able to travel that far a distance yet was offered no additional assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11612995
Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2008 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 was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…
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The contact owns a 2008 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 was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer suggested that the vehicle be towed to another local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11611786
Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2024
Engine And Engine Cooling
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The parts were available; however, the dealer list the manufacturer provided that the recall repair instructions were not available. The contact called multiple dealers however …
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The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The parts were available; however, the dealer list the manufacturer provided that the recall repair instructions were not available. The contact called multiple dealers however services could not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA ODI #11592424
80,000 miles · Jun 28, 2021
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was on fire under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. There was no …
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The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was on fire under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was not towed. There was no injury sustained. There was no warning light illuminated. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #11422583
Mileage unknown · May 8, 2020
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). FRANK FLETCHER IMPORTS (3111 E 32ND ST, JOPLIN, MO 64804, (417) 297-0821) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). FRANK FLETCHER IMPORTS (3111 E 32ND ST, JOPLIN, MO 64804, (417) 297-0821) WAS CONTACTED AND IT WAS STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE JACKIE COOPER IMPORTS (9393 S MEMORIAL DR, TULSA, OK 74133, (918) 615-2185) A TWO AND A HALF HOUR DRIVE AWAY. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A THE VEHICLE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR PICKUP AND THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL TO MAKE THE ARRANGEMENTS WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11323882
Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CINCINNATI (8727 …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF CINCINNATI (8727 MONTGOMERY RD, CINCINNATI, OH 45236, (513) 984-9000) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11119727
48,000 miles · Jun 25, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL THREE YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, STATING THAT THE CONTACT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL THREE YEARS AGO. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, STATING THAT THE CONTACT FAILED TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE AT A DEALER. THE DEALER (KEELER MOTOR CAR COMPANY, 1111 TROY SCHENECTADY RD, LATHAM, NY 12110) WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
NHTSA ODI #11103795
17,881 miles · Aug 8, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling
2008 SMART FORTWO PASSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT AND FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH AND THE FUEL IN THE TANK WAS OLD. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RETU…
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2008 SMART FORTWO PASSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ENGINE LIGHT AND FUEL TANK PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEING DRIVEN ENOUGH AND THE FUEL IN THE TANK WAS OLD. SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE DEALER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER STATED AN INSPECTION AT A COST OF $414.00 WOULD BE NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE INSPECTION, IT WAS DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,037. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10892481
26,380 miles · May 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2008 SMART FOURTWO PASSION. 25,380 MILES. CAR FAILED TO START. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD CRACKED. ENGINE HAD TO ESSENTIALLY BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. INITIAL COST ESTIMATE WAS OVER $6000. AFTER MUCH HAGGLING IT WAS LOWERED TO $3000. NOTE THE SMART WARRANTY IS 2 YEARS, 24,000 MILES.…
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2008 SMART FOURTWO PASSION. 25,380 MILES. CAR FAILED TO START. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE CYLINDER HEAD HAD CRACKED. ENGINE HAD TO ESSENTIALLY BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. INITIAL COST ESTIMATE WAS OVER $6000. AFTER MUCH HAGGLING IT WAS LOWERED TO $3000. NOTE THE SMART WARRANTY IS 2 YEARS, 24,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10399430
NHTSA investigations
2EA17003 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Sep 1, 2017 · Closed Aug 21, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On April 30, 2018, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, (Mercedes-Benz) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in a vehicle fire starting from the engine compartment in 42,781 model year (MY) 2008 and 2009 Smart Fortwo cabrio and coupe vehicles (451 platform).According to Mercedes-Benz?s DIR, ?the rear insulation mat within the engine compartment might deform, deteriorate, loosen and over time, subsequently be able to contact hot components of the exhaust system.This could lead to an ignition of the insulation mat and possible fire in the engine compartment.?The US-specification exhaust system has an external catalytic converter packaged close to the insulation mat, where temperatures in the vicinity of the insulation mat reach high values.Over time, these temperatures can lead to a change in the insulation mat's material characteristics and ultimately allow the material to deform. Depending on the magnitude and the specific location of the deformation, the insulation mat could contact hot components of the exhaust system and ignite.Mercedes-Benz will replace the rear insulation mat on the affected vehicles with the improved mat first implemented in the United States in MY 2010 vehicles.ODI?s analysis of fire incident field data reported to NHTSA and Mercedes-Benz show an increasing trend of non-crash fires in the subject vehicles that begins after 4 years of service and accelerates after 7 years of service.The analysis shows that this trend is driven by fires occurring in the engine compartment.Forensic investigations of fires occurring in the past year identified the insulation mat as a likely or possible cause of most of the fires originating in the engine compartment.This investigation is closed based on Mercedes-Benz insulation mat recall.For more information about field data trends and fire investigations, see the closing resume in the document file for this investigation.
PE16016 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Dec 16, 2016 · Closed Nov 20, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-016 to investigate eight complaints alleging incidents of engine compartment fire while driving or shortly after engine shutdown in model year (MY) 2008 through 2009 Smart Fortwo vehicles.The complaints appeared to indicate an increasing trend, with all eight fires occurring since January 2015.As part of PE16-016, ODI analyzed information related to incidents reported to the Office by consumers, analyzed field data and technical information submitted by Mercedes-Benz USA (Mercedes) in response to the PE16-016 information request letter, and analyzed non-crash vehicle fire claim data provided by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).To date, ODI's analysis of incidents reported by consumers and provided by Mercedes has identified 27 incidents of open flame fires originating in the engine compartments of the subject vehicles, 14 of which were reported to ODI by Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and 18 involving complaints or field reports to Mercedes (5 of the incidents were reported to both ODI and Mercedes).One incident reported to Mercedes includes an allegation of an injury from smoke inhalation.Nineteen (19) of the incidents occurred since January 2015.Mercedes has only investigated 2 of the 27 fire incidents, and the company was unable to identify a vehicle-based cause for either incident.To further assess incident rates and trends, ODI requested fire claim data for the subject vehicles and eight peer vehicles from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).HLDI collects insurance claim data from companies representing over 80 percent of the market for private passenger vehicle insurance in the United States.ODI?s analysis of the HLDI data, which covered the period from 2010 through late-2016, found that the MY 2008 Fortwo vehicles had a significantly higher claim frequency than its peers and, similar to ODI?s complaint trend, experienced a sharp increase in claims in 2015.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA17-003) to continue to investigate the high frequency and increasing trend of non-crash engine compartment fire incidents in the subject vehicles.The VOQs associated with the opening of this investigation were:10676359, 10780222, 10790017, 10820891, 10872656, 10944676, 10916505, 10924311, 10924637, 10939504, 10945296, 10993895, 11011100, 11011565.