Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protruding material residues of the microphone cutout at the headliner, e.g. with a soldering iron. The micro
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Smart Fortwo electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2008 Smart Fortwo have filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 66,680 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Fortwo (this page) | 12 |
| 2009 Fortwo | 10 |
4fires
When does it fail?
Of the 12 electrical complaints filed for the 2008 Smart Fortwo, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protruding material residues of the microphone cutout at the headliner, e.g. with a soldering iron. The micro
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vehicle Range ? Voltage difference of cells too great
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vehicle does not start
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Vehicle does not start
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a broad spectrum of electrical failures in 12 documented cases. On the nuisance end: persistent warning chimes that won't silence without a power cycle, intermittent wiper glitches that trigger unpredictable startup sequences, and heater blower motors that fail randomly, leaving windows fogged and undefrosted.
More serious: an airbag light that recurs within months despite $150 dealer resets, clutch engagement delays traced to a speed sensor, and instability control systems that lock up the transmission when the car passes near radio towers—all pointing to computer control modules that generate no error codes.
Critical failures cluster around electrical fires. Two owners reported vehicle fires that consumed the entire car while being driven; fire departments could not pinpoint ignition sources but noted electrical smell. A third owner's car caught fire upon restart after an AC condensation tube disconnected inside the battery box, allowing water intrusion. A fourth documented an electrical cable igniting and burning through in the same flooded battery box. One owner reported the ignition key could shut off the engine if accidentally touched while driving.
Other owners experienced immobilization (vehicle locked in Drive and refused to move), complete electrical shutdown, and fuse box failures preventing starts. A convertible roof defect was also mentioned, with dealers citing expired warranty and parts unavailability even for a recall campaign.
Same Smart Fortwo electrical reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Warning chime and wiper control malfunctions
Persistent warning chime that activates when vehicle is turned off and will not silence until power cycle; intermittent wiper system exhibits unpredictable startup routines (5 rapid wipes followed by 3 slow wipes) without error codes. Consumer attributed issues to computer control problems in SAM control unit or line B38 circuitry.
When: Various conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Warning chime activates when vehicle turned off under various conditions; Chime requires power cycle to silence; Wipers perform erratic startup sequence of 5 rapid wipes then 3 slow wipes; Wipers occasionally correct by cycling to OFF and back to intermittent
Clutch engagement delay and speed sensor failure
Clutch remained engaged for unusually long period at stops, causing hesitation before disengaging. Behavior changed immediately after speed sensor replacement, indicating sensor failure was root cause. Also reported axle bolt failure securing hub.
When: At stops; speed sensor replacement addressed clutch timing
Symptoms owners cite: Clutch engagement delayed for extended period at stops; Vehicle rode clutch while stopped before disengaging; Immediate disengagement and normal behavior after speed sensor replacement; Axle bolt securing hub failed
Repairs/costs cited: Speed sensor replacement corrected clutch behavior
Unintended ignition shutdown from key contact
Vehicle would shut off if ignition key was accidentally touched during operation. Key location placed between driver and passenger seats created hazard. Also reported concurrent engine overheating issue.
When: During operation when key accidentally contacted
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle inadvertently turns off when ignition key accidentally touched; Engine overheating at various speeds; Convertible roof does not completely close
Repairs/costs cited: Convertible roof repair needed but warranty expired; parts for engine cooling recall (NHTSA 18V273000) not available
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); parts availability issue confirmed by manufacturer
Vehicle fire with engine compartment origin
Vehicle caught fire while being driven, originating from back/engine area. Fire spread rapidly, completely consuming vehicle leaving only metal frame. No pre-fire warning detected by driver initially; fire observed from floorboard before engulfing entire vehicle.
When: During normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke detected in floorboard; Fire in back/engine area; Rapid fire spread with total vehicle loss
Instrument panel warning lights and brake failure with engine fire
All instrument panel lights flashed simultaneously, brake system failed, and fire ignited under rear of vehicle and engine compartment. Multiple witnesses observed fire; vehicle burned completely to frame. Electrical system failure preceded fire event.
When: During driving in intersection area
Symptoms owners cite: All instrument panel lights flash; Brake system failure; Fire under rear tires and engine area; Total vehicle loss
Stability control malfunction triggered by electromagnetic interference
Stability control light activates and vehicle becomes immobilized (refuses to move in Drive) when driving near radio, satellite, and cell phone towers with high electromagnetic field density. Vehicle recovers after shutdown and restart, though warning lights persist briefly before normal operation resumes.
When: Driving near specific intersection with multiple transmission towers
Symptoms owners cite: Stability control light comes on; Vehicle immobilized in Drive gear; Warning lights remain on after restart but vehicle drives normally; Reproducible at same location (Mt. Pleasant and Prospect Ave, West Orange NJ)
Airbag warning light with driver seat belt connection fault
Airbag warning light illuminated and would not shut off when vehicle stopped. Dealer diagnosed loose driver's side seat belt connection and reset computer. Failure recurred three months later. Repair cost $150; owner did not return for second occurrence due to cost.
When: 13,000 miles; recurred at 13,400 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light comes on and will not shut off; Loose driver seat belt connection detected by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: $150 for computer reset; loose seat belt connector retightened
Battery box flooding from AC condensation tube disconnection
AC condensation tube joint in battery box became disconnected, flooding battery box and passenger seat area with water. Vehicle would not start after water intrusion despite drying and battery recharge. Reports indicate multiple owners experienced this issue on Smart forums.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Battery box flooded; Passenger seat area flooded; Vehicle will not start; All electrical systems and lights out; Potential electric shock hazard
Repairs/costs cited: Emptied water and recharged battery but vehicle still would not start
Electrical fire in engine compartment with battery box origin
Vehicle parked in garage showed smoke from engine compartment with electrical fire smell one to one-and-a-half hours after parking. Fire department disconnected battery to stop smoke but could not identify exact source. Vehicle was totaled. Related to AC condensation tube disconnection causing battery box flooding and subsequent electrical arc/fire when attempting restart after water intrusion.
When: Approximately 1-1.5 hours after parking; fire occurred upon restart attempt
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke from engine compartment; Electrical fire smell; Smoke stopped when battery disconnected; Source could not be identified by fire department
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle totaled; fire originated in engine compartment
Electrical cable fire in battery box from water intrusion
Electrical cable running through battery box caught fire and burned completely through when owner attempted to restart vehicle after drying flooded battery box for four days. Root cause was AC condensation tube disconnection in battery box, allowing water intrusion and creating condition for electrical arc/fire upon restart.
When: Upon restart attempt after 4-day drying period
Symptoms owners cite: Electrical cable caught fire while attempting restart; Cable burned completely through; Battery box previously flooded from AC condensation tube disconnect
Repairs/costs cited: Fire occurred during restart attempt after drying water from battery box
Vehicle will not start with fuse box failure
Vehicle will not start with fuse box failure reported by owner. Issue documented on Smart USA forums. No additional diagnostic details provided.
When: Not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start; Fuse box failure
Heater blower motor random failure
Heater blower motor experiences random failures resulting in inability to operate heat or defrost function. Loss of heating/defosting capability causes window fogging and freezing, creating visibility hazard.
When: Random occurrence
Symptoms owners cite: Heater blower motor fails to operate; No heat output; Defrost function fails; Windows fog and freeze
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl*the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo 451 coupe. When the vehicle stopped the air bag light came on and would not shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who reset the computer for the driver's side seat belt connection because it was loose. Three months later that the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer because he paid $150 for the first repair. The failure mileage…
My son was driving down the road when he noticed smoke in the floor board. He was about .5 miles from our house and went to turn around when he noticed fire in the back/engine area of the car. He was able to get out of the car and ran to a house to call 911. As the home owner was calling they heard the car explode. The entire car burned with only the metal frame of the car, seats, etc. Left…
Had electrical trouble with your 2008 Smart Fortwo?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Smart Fortwo?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 29,000 and 96,000 miles, with the median around 66,680. A quarter of owners report trouble before 29,000; a quarter make it past 96,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Smart/Fortwo.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.