2008 Smart Fortwo Problems

The contact owns a 2008 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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire. No warning lights illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle quickly and entered a mechanic shop and a mechanic put on safety gloves to extinguish the fire with a fire hose. The fire was able to be extinguished by the mechanic. The mechanic mentioned that the insulation mat detached from the vehicle and caught on fire. No injuries were sustained. A fire report was not filed since the fire department was not at the scene. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's parents' home where it remained. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts Distribution Disconnect

Mercedes-Benz USA has no service centers on Long Island,NY that might fix the recall issue. For a time they were the only Smart Car service provider after Smart Car dealers were abandoned. MB USA currently will not do the recall and offers no reasonable alternative. The issue is potential engine compartment/total vehicle fire due to compartment insulation failure. Offers no suggestions for doing the recall service except one MB dealer in CT at one time might be able; if I research them.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF ORLANDO (810 ORLANDO AVE, MAITLAND, FL 32751, (407) 680-0784) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST FOUR TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTER WOULD NOT SWITCH TO THE REVERSE POSITION. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

We were driving in Greensboro NC this afternoon on the way to my husbands birthday dinner when off of Bridford? Parkway our 2008 smart car passion for two started malfunctioning all lights flashing on instrument panel & brakes quit & another motorist drove up beside us with window down screaming GET OUT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!!! We managed to stop on side of road at woods & jumped out car was on fire looked like under back tires and engine in back! We grabbed what we could save & ran. 911 was called & fire and police came. 2 Witnesses also to event we have photos & videos. Our car burned all the way down to frame! Total loss! We could have died because we couldnt see the fire behind us under car & if not for the man we may have blown up!!

.........I NOT THE CURREN OWNER FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT, MY SMART IS AFFECTED WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OR FAULT-DEFECT. HTTPS://WWW.IAAI.COM/VEHICLE?ITEMID=31877430&ROWNUMBER=9&LOADRECENT=TRUE . .........VEHICLE WON'T START. ..........FUSE BOX. FAIL. .......... ......... THANK YOU.

The 90 degree fittings(integral to the fuel pump) on top of the fuel pump cracked and leaks gasoline leading to a potential fire that could cause bodily injury for the driver and passenger. It is noticeable because of strong gasoline smell inside and outside of the car. There are many of the same complaints from Smart Car drivers in various forum.

TRUNK INSIDE THE CAR IS VERY HOT , ENGINE THEY DON'T HAVE A POWER IF I DRIVE I FEEL CAR HAVE A 20HP , I DO NOT FELL MY CAR HAVE A 70HP

THE SEAT BELTS WILL NOT RETRACT, WHICH SHOWS THEY DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. CONCERNED THEY WILL FAIL IF I'M EVER IN A CRASH. :( THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME A SEAT BELT IS UNFASTENED. THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR A FEW YEARS. CALLED A LOCAL MECHANIC TO ASK IF THEY COULD FIX IT, BUT APPARENTLY THIS IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE, SO THEY WON'T TOUCH IT. SMART DOESN'T ADMIT IT'S AN ISSUE EVEN THOUGH MANY OTHER SMART OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE ISSUE A RECALL SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT OUR SAFETY AS FAR AS THE SEAT BELTS ARE CONCERNED.

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT

We were driving in Greensboro NC this afternoon on the way to my husbands birthday dinner when off of Bridford? Parkway our 2008 smart car passion for two started malfunctioning all lights flashing on instrument panel & brakes quit & another motorist drove up beside us with window down screaming GET OUT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!!! We managed to stop on side of road at woods & jumped out car was on fire looked like under back tires and engine in back! We grabbed what we could save & ran. 911 was called & fire and police came. 2 Witnesses also to event we have photos & videos. Our car burned all the way down to frame! Total loss! We could have died because we couldnt see the fire behind us under car & if not for the man we may have blown up!!

ABS & BRAKE ICONS WERE LIT ON THE DASHBOARD WHEN I STARTED THE CAR ON 9/13/2018. MECHANIC FOUND ABS MODULE TO BE FULL OF WATER, WHICH CORRODED CONNECTOR PINS IN THE ABS MODULE, CAUSING THE ABS SYSTEM TO FAIL. LACK OF ABS COULD RESULT IN DAMAGE TO CAR OR PERSONAL INJURY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE CLUTCH COUPLING MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,150.

I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH MY 2008 PASSIONFORTWO, WHICH HAS OCCURRED FOUR TIMES IN THE 28 MONTHS AND 13K MILES OF OWNERSHIP. I'M HAPPILY DRIVING ALONG UNTIL I REACH MY DESTINATION, THEN I NEED TO GO INTO REVERSE TO PARK. THE SHIFTER WORKS FLAWLESSLY AND THE DISPLAY CLEARLY SHOWS THE CORRECT POSITION OF THE SHIFTER. BUT, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE, NOR WILL IT ENGAGE IF I RESELECT DRIVE. THE FIRST TWO TIMES THAT THIS HAPPENED, I EVENTUALLY TURNED OFF THE KEY AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND ALL WAS WELL. THE LAST TWO TIMES, THAT WORK-AROUND HAD NO EFFECT. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR FIVE MINUTES AND ONE HOUR, RESPECTIVELY, AND THEN HAD NO PROBLEM SELECTING ANY GEAR. A CAR THAT SUDDENLY WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR IS DANGEROUS. *TR

2008 SMART FOR TWO PASSION. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REAR INSULATION MAT SAFETY RECALL. *LD *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INADVERTENTLY TURN OFF WHEN THE IGNITION KEY WAS ACCIDENTALLY TOUCHED. THE LOCATION FOR THE KEY WAS PLACED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE OVERHEATED WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED MIDSTATE AUTO GROUP INC. AT (508) 832-8886 (LOCATED AT 810 WASHINGTON ST, AUBURN, MA 01501) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF DID NOT COMPLETELY CLOSE. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE CONVERTIBLE ROOF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND LANDED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS FATALLY INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND SENT AN ENGINEER AND LAWYER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT PROVIDED ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY WERE INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH THE TWR AIR BAGS, WHICH WERE INCLUDED IN NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER: [XXX] (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500.*TR*JB*JB ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB*JB*DT*JB

I RECENTLY HAD THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON MY CAR. I TOOK IT IN TO AN AUTHORIZED SMART CAR SHOP (MERCEDES BENZ). MB INFORMED THAT THE WIRES FROM THE SEAT BELT UNDERNEATH PASSENGER SEAT WERE FRAYED AND NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SEAT SYSTEM. AFTER PAYING $400.00, FOR A NEW PASSENGER SEAT BELT, THE LIGHT CAME OFF. READING DIFFERENT FORUMS ONLINE, MANY SMART CAR OWNERS HAVE ALSO HAD EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUES WITH THE WIRES UNDERNEATH BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE. *TR

THE SRS LIGHT CAME ON. HAD THE DEALER DIAGNOSE TO FIND IT IS AN INTERMITTENT CONNECTION TO MULTIPLE CONNECTORS. SERVICE TECH ADVISED BY SOFTWARE ANALYSIS TO USE CONTACT ENHANCEMENT FLUID OR SPRAY. CODE WAS CLEARED. THE SRS LIGHT WAS OUT AND STAYED OFF FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS. CONCLUSION IS THE SRS SYSTEM IN THESE CARS ARE UNRELIABLE AND SAFETY CANNOT BE GUARANTEED. CHEAP CONNECTORS CAUSING ISSUE. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THESE CARS. *TR

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 FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,424. UPDATED 12/11/12*LJ THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND HOOD LATCH WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/12

2008 Smart Fortwo Pure, currently with 85,036 miles, factory equipped with optional POWER STEERING - ELECTRIC, power steering had worked fine until Fall 2020 when cold temperatures caused steering lock-up, until car interior warmed enough to unlock steering, behavior consistent throughout that winter. Once steering unlocked, steering was normal, until car sat & chilled sufficiently to re-lock steering, or fault disappeared with warmer Spring 2021 temperatures. NEW DEVELOPMENTS - December 2021, outside temperatures in the 20s F, it takes much longer, 30-60 minutes or longer with heat & blower on max heat, before steering unlocks. After steering unlocks, it can seem fully unlocked, BUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES STEERING NOW GETS DANGEROUSLY STIFF AND STICKY AND STUCK-IN-POSITION MOMENTARILY WHILE DRIVING. Unlike some vehicles with steering lockable by key position for theft deterrence, THERE IS NO STEERING-LOCK-BASED ANTI-THEFT FEATURE ON THE FORTWO. I hope you’ll agree that any vehicle whose steering may lock-up in operation at highway speeds as a function of U.S. midwestern winter temperatures has a life-threatening steering safety defect worthy of further investigation.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 MERCEDES-BENZ SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND MAKING A TURN, THE VEHICLE LOSS POWER ASSIST WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NEW COUNTRY MERCEDES-BENZ LOCATED AT 1 WESTON ST, HARTFORD, CT 06120, TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 72,250.

THE PLASTIC COMPOSITE MATERIAL THAT MAKES UP THE CLEAR ROOF PANEL ON SMART FORTWO PASSION MODELS HAS BEEN KNOWN TO "CRAZE" OR HAZE OVER WITH FINE MARKS, THAT CATCH AND REFLECT THE SUN. THIS MAKES THE ROOF'S MATERIAL APPEAR TO WEAR DOWN DUE TO THE SUN'S UV LIGHT. OWNERS THAT PARK THEIR CARS IN GARAGES HAVE FEWER SYMPTOMS, AND ADVERSELY, THOSE WHO ALWAYS KEEP THEIR CAR OUTSIDE AND EXPOSED TO SUN SEE EXASPERATED ISSUES. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTS OF THE MATERIAL WARPING DUE TO WEAR AND EXPERIENCING LEAKS AROUND THE EDGES. AS THE PANEL IS NOT A SUN ROOF, BUT INSTEAD THE VEHICLE'S ROOF ITSELF, THE PROBLEM IS NOT CHEAP TO REPAIR. THE MATERIAL HAS BEEN KNOWN TO "CRAZE" SINCE THE SMART FORTWO WAS UPDATED IN 2008, AND AS OF 2012 THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TR

HEATER BLOWER MOTOR FAILURE, RANDOM OCCURRENCE OF FAILURE TO OPERATE HEAT OR DEFROST, FOGGING/FREEZING WINDOWS. *TR

SHIFT LEVER WILL NOT GO INTO PARK. IGNITION KEY CANNOT BE REMOVED. SUBSEQUENT FAILURES RESULTED IN NOT BEING ABLE TO SELECT REVERSE AND PARK WITH THE SHIFT LEVER, AND THEREFOR, UNABLE TO REMOVE IGNITION KEY.

AT 45 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT TURN ON. THIS DEACTIVATES BOTH THE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEMS MAKING THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT OVER 45 MPH. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM BEING CRACK IN THE ABS SENSOR RING. ALTHOUGH A KNOWN ISSUE, MERCEDES BENZ, THE MANUFACTURER OF THE SMART CAR, DENIES ANY ISSUES WITH IT. THE REPAIR THAT THEY PERFORMED WAS A REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT AXLE SHAFT SINCE THEY DO NOT IMPORT A REPLACEMENT SENSOR RING. THIS IS A REPAIR IN EXCESS OF $700 FOR A $35 PART. THAT PART SHOULD NOT FAIL WITHIN SUCH A RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE. CHOOSING NOT TO REPAIR COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF ONLY 45 MPH. *JS

VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE, FOUND VEHICLE BATTERY BOX AND PASSENGER SEAT FLOODED DUE TO THE AIR CONDITIONING CONDENSATION TUBE JOINT LOCATED IN THE BATTERY BOX DISCONNECTED. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, VEHICLE WILL NOT START, EVEN AFTER EMPTYING THE WATER FROM THE BATTERY BOX AND RECHARGING THE BATTERY. HAVE A READ MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE ON THE SMART BLOG. POSSIBLE ELECTRIC SHOCK ISSUE AS WELL AS ALL ELECTRICAL AND LIGHTS OUT.

THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF AT ANYTIME WHILEDRIVING IN D YOUR JUST A SITTING DUCK CANT USE GEAR TO UNLOCK TRAMMISSION SO IT COULD BE MOVED OUT OF WAY OF ON COMMING TRAFFIC, THERES NO WARNING THE CARS IS IN THE SHOP NOW, THIS HAS HAPPEN TO OTHER SMART FORTWO OWNERS, ITS A DEATH TRAP WATING TO HAPPEN NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE MORE PEOPLE LOSE THERE LIFE, LOOK AT GM .54CENT COULD HAVE SAVED MANY LOSE LIVES. PLEASE HELP THE PUBLIC,, *TR

VALVE STEM ON 2008 SMART FORTWO TPMS (TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM) IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND CORRODES DUE TO SALT. VALVE STEM IS NOT REPLACEABLE SO THE ENTIRE SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. PART WAS REPLACED WITH AN AFTERMARKET PART (WHICH HAS SUBSEQUENTLY STOPPED WORKING). OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE LEAKING FLUID ONTO THE BRAKES AND THAT THE BRAKES AND SHOCKS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000...UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF *CN