2009 Smart Fortwo — Model Year Report: verdict, complaints & recalls

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2009: 100 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2005	2
2008	139
2009	100
2010	6
2011	16
2012	8
2013	25
2014	13
2015	6
2016	21
2017	7
2018	1
2019	1

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 27%

27% of complaints: power train — 27 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 19%

19% of complaints: engine — 19 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

I REPRESENT THE OWNERS OF THIS 2009 SMART FORTWO VEHICLE. MY CLIENT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER WORK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, MY CLIENT WAS AWOKEN BY HIS SON WHO SMELLED SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 14 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

AFTER GETTING HOME FROM SCHOOL, COMING IN SAYING HELLO TO THE FAMILY I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR TO GET MY BAG. WHEN I APPROACHED MY CAR I COULD HEAR WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE MY RADIATOR FANS STILL RUNNING DESPITE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 9 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

AFTER GETTING HOME FROM SCHOOL, COMING IN SAYING HELLO TO THE FAMILY I WENT BACK OUT TO MY CAR TO GET MY BAG. WHEN I APPROACHED MY CAR I COULD HEAR WHAT I BELIEVED TO BE MY RADIATOR FANS STILL RUNNING DESPITE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121003

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240905

The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart Fortwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240829

STRUCTURE 8%

8% of complaints: structure — 8 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I REPRESENT THE OWNERS OF THIS 2009 SMART FORTWO VEHICLE. MY CLIENT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AFTER WORK AND PARKED IN THE GARAGE. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE GARAGE, MY CLIENT WAS AWOKEN BY HIS SON WHO SMELLED SMOKE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171101

I WAS DRIVING MY SMART CAR TO WORK AT 1:30 AM. THERE WAS SOME SNOW ON THE ROADS SO I LEFT 10 MINUTES EARLIER THAN NORMAL SO I COULD DRIVE SLOWLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150106

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20161216 — PE (closed 20171120)

Engine Compartment Fire

I 20170901 — EA (closed 20180821)

Engine Compartment Fire

R 20180730 — engine and engine cooling

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.

Campaign 18V273000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2009 Smart Fortwo — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for power train issues (27 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for engine issues (19 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (14 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 18V273000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

FAQ

Is the 2009 Smart Fortwo reliable?

There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Smart Fortwo?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2009 Smart Fortwo have?

1 recall on file for this model year.