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 Owners of the 2008 Smart Fortwo have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the seatbelts at roughly $500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See seatbelts across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$500
| Model year | seatbelts complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Fortwo (this page) | 7 |
| 2009 Fortwo | 3 |
| 2011 Fortwo | 3 |
When does it fail?
Of the 7 seatbelts 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 seatbelts complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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…
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…
Had seatbelts 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 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?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, seatbelts issues most often appear around 39,606 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.
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.