NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
140 reports126,000 miles · Oct 16, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO LOCAL DEALERS NEAR THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11268998
Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOTORWORLD MILEONE AUTO GROUP (150 MOTORWORLD DR, WILKES-BARRE,…
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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 STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOTORWORLD MILEONE AUTO GROUP (150 MOTORWORLD DR, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702, (866) 591-7116), BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #11265380
20,500 miles · Sep 20, 2019
Air BagsCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER AND LAWYER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE TWR AIR BAGS, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER: [XXX] (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.*TR*JB*JB ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB*JB*DT*JB
NHTSA ODI #11256921
33,000 miles · May 24, 2019
Electrical System
.........I NOT THE CURREN OWNER FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT, MY SMART IS AFFECTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR FAULT-DEFECT. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=31877430&ROWNUMBER=9&LOADRECENT=TRUE . .........VEHICLE WON'T START. ..........FUSE BOX. FAIL. .......... ......... THANK YOU.
NHTSA ODI #11209605
Mileage unknown · Mar 14, 2019
Engine
2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SMART CAR. CONSUMER WRITES WITH CONCERN FOR VEHICLE CATCHING FIRE WHILE IDLE IN DRIVE-WAY FOLLOWING RECALL AND REPAIRS BY MANUFACTURER. *AS *TR
NHTSA ODI #11186451
45,000 miles · Feb 1, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT SWITCH TO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #11173470
37,988 miles · Oct 1, 2018
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FOR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS DEVON MERCEDES-BENZ (214 W LANCASTER AVE, DEVON, PA 19333, (610) 687-1500) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FOR TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS DEVON MERCEDES-BENZ (214 W LANCASTER AVE, DEVON, PA 19333, (610) 687-1500) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER AND DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED AS THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT DETECTED SMOKE COMING OUT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,988. *TT UPDATED 11/19/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11132462
124,000 miles · Sep 15, 2018
Service Brakes
ABS & BRAKE ICONS WERE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ON 9/13/2018. MECHANIC FOUND ABS MODULE TO BE FULL OF WATER, WHICH CORRODED CONNECTOR PINS IN THE ABS MODULE, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO FAIL. LACK OF ABS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO CAR OR PERSONAL INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #11129626
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENT…
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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 PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENTER ALBUQUERQUE AT (877) 316-3208 (LOCATED AT 1220 S RENAISSANCE BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11122706
72,000 miles · Aug 24, 2018
EngineFire
I LEARNED OF A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE EARLIER THIS YEAR - I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER BECAUSE I HAD MOVED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE RECALL WAS FOR A SAGGING INSULATION MAT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH HAD APPARENTLY CAUSED FIRES IN OTHER SMART CARS. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, KEELER OF LATHAM, WHO TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE NOT IN FOR…
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I LEARNED OF A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE EARLIER THIS YEAR - I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER BECAUSE I HAD MOVED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE RECALL WAS FOR A SAGGING INSULATION MAT IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, WHICH HAD APPARENTLY CAUSED FIRES IN OTHER SMART CARS. I CONTACTED MY DEALER, KEELER OF LATHAM, WHO TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE NOT IN FOR THE REPAIR, AND SUGGESTED I CALL MERCEDES, THE MANUFACTURER. I CALLED THEM, GAVE MY UPDATED ADDRESS, THEY TOLD ME THEY'D BE IN TOUCH WHEN THE RECALLED PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. I HAD MY CAR SERVICED FOR AN UNRELATED REASON A MONTH OR SO LATER, THEY NEVER CHECKED MY VEHICLE TO SEE IF THE RECALLED PARTS WERE AFFECTED. I ASKED ABOUT IT, THEY TOLD ME THE PARTS WERE NOT YET AVAILABLE. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MERCEDES STATING THE RECALL FIX WAS NOT READY BUT THAT IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE CAR. ON 7/31/18, MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN, BUT ABOUT AN HOUR AFTER I PARKED THE CAR AT MY FRIEND'S HOME, HIS WIFE CAME INSIDE AND SAID "YOUR FRIEND'S CAR IS ON FIRE". WE WENT OUTSIDE, SMOKE WAS COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY CAR IS NOW TOTALED. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. INSURANCE WILL PAY FOR PART OF WHAT IT WOULD COST TO GET ME INTO A NEW USED CAR, BUT MERCEDES HAS OFFERED ONLY TO PAY MY $500 DEDUCTIBLE, OR TO TAKE A SMALL DISCOUNT OFF MY PURCHASE OF A MERCEDES OR SMART CAR FROM AN AUTHORIZED MERCEDES DEALER. MERCEDES HAS ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FIRE, AS THEIR INVESTIGATION SHOWED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE SAGGING INSULATION MAT. I WAS HOPING THAT SOMETHING IN THE LAW WOULD HELP FORCE MERCEDES TO MAKE ME WHOLE. I JUST WANT TO BE BACK IN A RELIABLE USED CAR WITHOUT A CAR PAYMENT. IF THEY HAD REPAIRED THE RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER, I WOULD STILL HAVE MY CAR, WHICH WAS IN GREAT SHAPE AND HAD NO PAYMENT. I DON'T WANT TO BUY A NEW MERCEDES CAR. I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT THIS. THANKS. - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA ODI #11122252
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.
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