Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2008-SMART-FORTWONHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Smart
2008 Smart Fortwo problems
The 2008 Smart Fortwo has 139 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2008 Smart Fortwo has 139 NHTSA owner complaints and 1 recall on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is engine at 40 complaints, typically surfacing around 69,174 miles (~$3,100 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2008 Fortwo?
Avoid — the engine
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced.
15 fire-related complaints on the engine
Powertrain: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,000–56,150 mi
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2008 Smart Fortwo? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 40 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,174 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
powertrain — 30 owner reports
· tends to show around 36,724 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 12 owner reports
· tends to show around 58,988 mi · ~$850 to fix
seatbelts — 7 owner reports
· tends to show around 39,606 mi · ~$500 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 69,174 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2008 Fortwo· powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. After the vehicle was started and shifted into reverse, it failed to respond. The vehicle was taken to Mercedes-benz of orlando (810 orlando ave, maitland, fl 32751, (407) 680-0784) to be diagnosed, but the mechanic was unable to…
The failing part is in the automatic transmission shift lever. The shift lever release button begins to get resistive in it's operation and then fails to actuate all together. In my case this resulted in the dealer service department having to replace the entire shift lever…
I recently had the airbag light come on my car. I took it in to an authorized smart car shop (Mercedes benz). Mb informed that the wires from the seat belt underneath passenger seat were frayed and needed to replace the entire seat system. After paying $400.00, for a new…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. The contact observed an abnormal odor coming from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shocks were leaking fluid onto the brakes and that the brakes and shocks…
Had a problem with your 2008 Smart Fortwo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Smart usa is recalling 43 my 2008 fortwo 451 vehicles
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, increasing the risk of separation. This could cause a crash if the roof or windshield separated from the vehicle while in motion.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2008 Smart Fortwo reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 139 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Smart Fortwo is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2008 Smart Fortwo?
On the NHTSA data, the 2008 Smart Fortwo is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the engine was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 15 fire-related complaints on the engine; Powertrain: 30 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 15,000–56,150 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2008 Smart Fortwo?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 40 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,174 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2008 Smart Fortwo a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 139 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 69,174 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2008 Smart Fortwo?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 40 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 69,174 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 33,425 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Smart Fortwo has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2008 Smart Fortwo?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 139 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Smart/Fortwo.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
We are not affiliated with Smart. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we
may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
