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severe Owners of the 2009 Smart Fortwo have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 55,000 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 →
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2008 Fortwo | 40 |
| 2009 Fortwo (this page) | 20 |
| 2011 Fortwo | 3 |
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2009 Smart Fortwo, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
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.
Engine accounts for 20% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 8 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Vehicle cannot be started (FC: P0A0A00, P0A0E00, P0D9F00, P1D0BFD, C11C187, P0D5800, P0D5900, P0D9900, P0D9A97)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 dominant complaint is engine compartment fire. Three owners reported uncontrolled ignition—one while driving at highway speed felt heat, smelled smoke, and watched rear carpet ignite; another heard radiator fans running after shutdown, then saw sparks and fire explode under the driver-side console, melting the fuse box housing. A third experienced catastrophic engine failure immediately after an engine-bay fire.
Campaign 18V273000 (rear engine insulation mat) was issued to address fire risk, but parts distribution failed badly. Owners received recall notices but dealerships had no stock and could not commit to delivery timelines. One owner waited nearly two years for an insulation pad that never shipped; multiple dealers told callers they had no inventory and could not estimate when parts would arrive. Some dealers refused to perform the recall on Smart vehicles at all, citing company policy.
Beyond fire issues, owners reported a complete loss of engine power while driving on the highway—overheating, check engine light, then total shutdown forcing a coast to the shoulder. Another owner could not shift out of neutral and the accelerator didn't respond. At higher mileage, owners heard abnormal engine noise paired with ABS and check engine lights. One reported a persistent P0302 misfire code tied to improper valve seating, which the owner says is known to the manufacturer but unaddressed. A low-mileage oil pan leak got no dealer support.
Same Smart Fortwo engine reports on nearby years: 2008
Uncontrolled ignition in engine bay or rear trunk area, sometimes with loss of all engine function. Owners report fire spreading to carpet, plastic components, and fuse box with melted housing.
When: Variable—one at 58,232 miles while driving 40 mph; others while parked or during normal operation
Symptoms owners cite: Heat felt from rear of vehicle; Visible sparks under dash or in engine compartment; Smoke under driver console or from trunk area; Carpet and plastic catching fire; Factory alarm, wipers, and fans running uncontrolled after engine shut off; Catastrophic engine failure after fire
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid out-of-pocket repair costs at Mercedes-Benz of Tysons Corner after in-service fire. Fuse box exposed with melted plastic housing. Another fire was extinguished by owner with garden hose.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) issued; manufacturer declined warranty repair on out-of-warranty vehicle. One owner denied reimbursement despite recall applicability.
Campaign 18V273000 addresses defective rear engine insulation mat that increases fire risk. Owners notified of recall but dealerships and manufacturer unable to supply replacement parts for extended periods—some for nearly two years.
When: Recall notification issued; no actual failures reported by complainants awaiting repair
Symptoms owners cite: Recall notice received; Dealer unable to confirm part availability or timeline
Repairs/costs cited: One owner offered to self-install the insulation pad if supplied. Multiple dealers confirmed parts out of stock with no estimated restock date.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for repair; parts distribution disconnect confirmed by Mercedes-Benz service centers. Some dealers refused to perform recall on Smart vehicles despite campaign applicability.
Complete power loss and overheating without warning while on highway, forcing owner to coast to shoulder. Check engine light illuminated.
When: No mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Overheating; Check engine light illumination; Complete loss of all power after approximately 20 seconds of warning lights; Unable to maintain vehicle control during event
Multiple instances of gear shifter moving to neutral only, with accelerator pedal not responding to input. Tire pressure warning light also illuminated.
When: 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission shifts to neutral only regardless of gear selection; Accelerator pedal produces no throttle response; Tire pressure warning light active
Repairs/costs cited: Towed to independent mechanic; vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 18V273000 notification received; recall parts unavailable.
Abnormal engine noise accompanied by illumination of ABS and check engine warning indicators during low-speed operation.
When: 89,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise while driving at 25 mph; ABS warning light illuminated; Check engine light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Campaign 18V273000 notification received; recall parts unavailable. Dealer exceeded reasonable repair timeframe.
After Campaign 18V273000 repair performed, vehicle developed loud booming noise when engine and/or radio activated.
When: 55,000 miles (post-recall repair)
Symptoms owners cite: Loud booming noise when engine activated; Loud booming noise when radio activated
Repairs/costs cited: Repair performed by Mercedes-Benz of Westminster per recall; no follow-up service sought by owner.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 18V273000 repair completed by authorized dealer.
Oil leaking from oil pan at low mileage. Dealer refused to assist with repair costs.
When: 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak visible under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Oil pan leaking; repair not completed. Dealer declined to cover repair cost.
Persistent P0302 diagnostic trouble code (cylinder 2 misfire) linked to valve not seating properly. Owner states this is a known manufacturer issue with no announced remedy.
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light (P0302 code)
Codes mentioned: P0302
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer aware of issue but has not announced remedy.
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in and repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 18v273000 (engine, engine cooling). Mercedes-benz of westminister (located at 10391 westminister blvd, westminister, co 80020, 303-410-7800) performed the repair. After the repair, the vehicle began to make a booming noise when the engine and/or radio were…
2009 smart fortwo pure/passion. Consumer writes in regard to safety NHTSA recall notice #18v273. *as the consumer stated the dealer was to arrange having the vehicle repaired locally due to the consumer's disability. The dealer did not make an arrangement that the consumer found reasonable. *js
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the ABS and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that Mercedes-benz of edison (located at 910 us-1, edison, nj 08817, (732) 394-1870) exceeded a reasonable amount of…
It's a meaningful issue. 20 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
Across the 8 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 38,000 and 58,232 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 38,000; a quarter make it past 58,232. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.