Vehicle cannot be started (FC: P0A0A00, P0A0E00, P0D9F00, P1D0BFD, C11C187, P0D5800, P0D5900, P0D9900, P0D9A97)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2008 Smart Fortwo engine problems
severe Owners of the 2008 Smart Fortwo have filed 40 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
40
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Fortwo (this page) | 40 |
| 2009 Fortwo | 20 |
| 2011 Fortwo | 3 |
15fires
What stands out
Owners have filed 40 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Engine accounts for 29% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 9 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Engine diagnosis warning lamp (CEL) is active due to fault codes - P2237 & P2626.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Smart 453 Engine diagnosis warning lamp activated - Fault code P261000
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2008 Smart Fortwo engine and cooling systems show a critical safety issue: at least eight owners report fires originating in the engine compartment, most linked to a sagging or detached thermal insulation mat in the recall (18V273000). Fires occurred at mileages ranging from 37,988 to 205,000 miles—some during highway driving, others while parked. Owners describe smoke first, then flames under the hood or from the rear with no prior warning lights. Mercedes investigated at least one fire and confirmed the sagging insulation mat as the cause, yet the manufacturer told owners the recall parts were unavailable for months and the vehicle was safe to drive. One owner's car caught fire on 7/31/18 after Mercedes stated the recall fix was "not ready"—the car was totaled and Mercedes offered only $500 or a small discount on a new purchase.
Beyond fire risk, owners report engine overheating without warning lights or temperature alerts, leading to cracked cylinder heads and complete engine failure. At 25,380 miles, one owner faced a $6,000+ engine rebuild when the warranty covered only 24,000 miles. A fuel pump leak was documented spraying gasoline directly onto the engine top when running. Transmission shift failures at 36,000 miles left cars stuck in park, unable to engage reverse or drive. Warranty disputes were common, with extended coverage claims rejected as already expired.
Same Smart Fortwo engine reports on nearby years: 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Sagging/detached engine compartment insulation mat causing fire
The thermal insulation mat in the engine compartment sags or detaches from its mounting, making contact with hot engine components or the heat shield. This ignites the mat and starts a fire that spreads through the engine bay. Multiple owners report the insulation catching fire, some after prolonged driving, others while parked. The fire typically originates in the engine compartment but can spread. Owners describe smoke first, then flames visible from the rear or under the hood.
When: Various mileages reported: 37,988 mi, 50,000 mi, 51,000 mi, 80,000 mi, 87,000 mi, 100,400 mi, 103,000 mi, 205,000 mi. Fires occur during normal driving at highway and city speeds, and while parked.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from rear of vehicle or engine compartment; Strong burning or burning plastic odor; Flames under hood or from engine area; Fire erupts with no prior warning; No warning lights illuminate before fire
Repairs/costs cited: NHTSA Recall 18V273000 requires replacement or repositioning of the engine compartment insulation mat. However, owners report parts unavailable for extended periods and many dealers cannot perform the repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued. Mercedes initially told owners parts not available and vehicle was safe to drive. Later told owners repair not yet ready. One owner reports Mercedes accepted responsibility for fire caused by sagging insulation mat but offered only $500 deductible or small discount on new Mercedes purchase.
Fuel pump leaking gasoline onto engine top
The fuel pump develops a leak that sprays gasoline directly onto the top of the fuel tank and surrounding engine area when the engine is running. The leak occurs from a disconnect or crack in the discharge line from the fuel pump to the engine. This creates a serious fire hazard. Owner observed steady stream of fuel pouring from under the car near the passenger side when engine was running; fuel would dribble after shutdown.
When: Occurred after two instances of pump failing to build back pressure during fuel fill-ups. Leak discovered during normal operation.
Symptoms owners cite: Failure of gas pump to shut off at fill-up (loss of back pressure); Strong gasoline odor inside vehicle during driving; Visible stream of gasoline flowing from under vehicle; Fuel leak activates only when engine running; Fuel continues to drip after engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosed faulty fuel pump leaking gasoline on top of tank. Fuel pump requires replacement; fuel tank must be dropped to access. Owner noted hundreds of online videos of Smart Cars catching fire and open NHTSA investigation PE-16-016 for engine fires on 2008-2009 models.
Engine overheating with no warning lights; cracked cylinder head or seized engine
Engine overheats without triggering warning lights or high-temperature radiator alerts. Owner continues driving unaware of coolant loss or overheating until engine suddenly fails. Head cracks or engine seizes mid-drive, forcing tow-in. One owner's radiator was bone dry; another's catalytic converter overheated and caught fire within 20 miles of check-engine light appearing.
When: Failures occur at: 25,380 mi, 39,457 mi (wiring harness short), mid-drive events. Radiator/coolant loss not flagged by instrument cluster.
Symptoms owners cite: No check-engine light before failure; No high-temperature warning light; Engine suddenly dies or stalls while driving; All dashboard lights illuminate upon stall; Engine will not restart after stall; Smoke or burning smell noted
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (delayed appearance, not predictive)
Repairs/costs cited: Requires engine replacement or complete rebuild. Repair costs: $6,037 estimated, $3,000 to $6,000 negotiated rebuild cost. Head gasket replacement inadequate; full engine swap often necessary. One head cracked at 25,380 mi (under original 24,000-mi warranty but at edge of coverage).
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer refused to pay for repairs on one vehicle, citing failure to maintain at dealer. Warranty is 2 years, 24,000 miles.
Engine stalling and loss of power while driving
Engine suddenly stalls or loses power during normal highway driving without warning. One incident involved stalling after a harsh left turn or U-turn. Another involved electrical lights flashing on/off before engine cut off and fire erupted. Engine sometimes restarts immediately if shifted to neutral; other times requires tow-in.
When: Occurs at 35 mph, 45 mph, highway speeds. One incident linked to harsh turning maneuver.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine suddenly stops while driving; Lights on dashboard flash or shut off; Complete loss of power; Immediate restart possible when shifted to neutral; No prior warning or check-engine light; May be followed by fire in engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: One case: engine wiring harness touching vehicle body causing short circuit. Another case: burned cylinder valve requiring replacement. Engine wiring harness shorts and burned valves identified as root causes in some cases.
Engine wiring harness short circuit from improper routing
Engine wiring harness positioned too close to or touching the vehicle body, causing an electrical short circuit. This short can trigger a stall and also generate heat that may contribute to fire risk. Diagnosed after stall events.
When: At 39,457 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls at highway speed; Wiring harness visually confirmed touching body; Engine warning lamp illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Technician diagnosed wiring harness contacting body during stall diagnosis. Repair details not specified in narrative.
Burned or damaged cylinder valve(s)
One or more cylinder intake or exhaust valves burn out or become damaged, causing loss of compression and engine failure. May occur in combination with overheating or wiring harness issues. Requires cylinder head removal and valve replacement or full engine rebuild.
When: At 39,457 miles and 46,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine warning lamp illuminates; Odd sound from engine; Burning smell from engine area; Vehicle will not start or run
Repairs/costs cited: Valve replacement or full engine rebuild required. Specific repair costs not provided in these narratives.
Catalytic converter overheating and igniting fire
Catalytic converter overheats and ignites, starting an engine compartment fire. Fire erupts within 20 miles of check-engine light coming on, suggesting the underlying condition triggering the light (likely misfire or fuel mixture issue) causes converter to overheat rapidly.
When: Within 20 miles of check-engine light illumination.
Symptoms owners cite: Check-engine light illuminates; Within 20 miles, fire erupts from engine compartment; Vehicle burns to the ground
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle completely destroyed by fire.
Blower motor noise requiring replacement
Fan blower motor develops excessive noise during operation. Requires replacement.
When: <UNKNOWN>
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor noise from HVAC system
Repairs/costs cited: Replaced at dealership under extended warranty, $100 cost.
Transmission shift stuck between gears
Automatic transmission gear shift becomes stuck or sluggish, failing to engage reverse or drive smoothly. Shift lever will only move to park and neutral, refusing to move to reverse or drive despite repeated attempts. Eventually progresses to complete inability to shift out of neutral/park.
When: At 36,000 miles. Starts intermittently around 06/16/2015, becomes total failure by 06/28/2015.
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shift stuck and will not move from one position to another; Fails to engage reverse or drive gears; Repeated attempts eventually allow correct gear selection (initially); Shift lever eventually locks between park and neutral
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer service advisor stated 2-3 week wait for diagnostic appointment and loaner car. Owner noted hundreds of web complaints about same transmission issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Extended warranty (5 years, 75,000 miles) claimed already expired at 36,000 miles due to coverage start date dispute.
Synthesized from 40 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2008 Smart Fortwo?
It's a meaningful issue. 40 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 36,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 36,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.