2009 Smart Fortwo: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 100 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 100 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment at the dealer; however, the dealer contacted the contact and decline to honor the recall repair appointment. The contact contacted two dealers and was informed that they do not perform repair on Mercedes-Benz Smart Cars. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Sep 2024
“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. The local dealer and several unknown dealers were contacted and informed the contact that they did not service Smart vehicles. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2024
“2008 Smart Fortwo has a recall open for reprograming the transmission computer because of rough shifting and bucking while shifting and lugging the engine to much before down shifting. Mine is a 2008 but the VIN was not included in the recall and I am having the same problems with mine. Can mine be added to the recall?”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light was illuminated and would not turn off. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with needing the driver's side air bag replaced. The vehicle was not repaired but was pending repairs. The independent mechanic had to order the parts for the repair. The dealer was contacted however, the dealer was unable to confirm when the part would be available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2021
“The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact stated while attempting to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but was denied repair due to the vehicle being a smart car. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that since the vehicle was not a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, they would not honor the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2021
“I sent an email not to long ago regarding my smartfortwo. I wanted to cancel or delete my complaint. Appears that my issue has nothing to do with key reprogramming. My issue is likely clutch / actuator issue. Please cancel, delete, ignore the complaint that is in error. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2020
“Car doesn't shift from park to reverse or it goes into neutral this is a safety issue .im not the only person with this issue and apparently smart knows of this problem.this problem is putting people into neutral when they start and leaving you in the road..they need to be held responsible and knowingly putting people at risk. I was sitting in a parking lot when I couldn't shift into reverse . I've read and heard from others smart is saying a software error”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2020
“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 activated. The contact had not taken the vehicle back to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
“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 time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The part was not available for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 89,000. Parts distribution disconnect.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
“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”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.
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. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Fortwo by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Smart Fortwo reliable?
NHTSA has 100 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2009 Smart Fortwo. The most complained-about area is power train (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Smart Fortwo problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 39,750 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Smart Fortwo have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.