SEATBELT LATCH MECHANISM BROKE. THIS, IN COMBINATION WITH THE FACT THAT THE SEATBELT MECHANISM ITSELF FREQUENTLY FAILS TO RETRACT, SUGGESTS THAT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS FAULTY. *TR
2008 Smart Fortwo seatbelts problems
moderate 7 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $500
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
THE SEAT BELT WILL NO LONGER LATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. AFTER REVIEWING THE FOLLOWING FORUM I REALIZED THIS IS EFFECTING SEVERAL OTHERS: HTTP://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F25/SEAT-BELT-BUCKLE-JAMMED-32961/INDEX2.HTML THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT BELT. *TR
BOTH SEAT BELTS, BUT ESPECIALLY THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT, LOSE TENSION AND ARE RENDERED INEFFECTIVE. THEY CAN STILL BE FASTENED, BUT THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO RESTRAINT. I REQUESTED A REPAIR OF AT LEAST THE PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT DURING A 11/19/12 CAR REPAIR AND THE DEALER'S REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT MANY SMART FORTWO VEHICLES HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS. HE WAS RELUCTANT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM A…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH. THE FRONT HOOD LATCH CAME APART CAUSING THE HOOD TO SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND A CRASH DID NOT OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COST AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAIL…
Common questions
How serious is the seatbelts problem on the 2008 Smart Fortwo?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the seatbelts typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $500 for seatbelts 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 seatbelts?
No active recalls currently cover seatbelts 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.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. 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.