AI Damage2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio: common problems
Owners of the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio filed 17 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 17
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 29% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 12% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 12% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 12% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 5 complaints (29% of all).
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (29% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (12% of all).
- Structure: 2 complaints (12% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 17 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My side airbag failed to deploy, but the front steering-wheel air bag did deploy. But my injuries are on my left side of my head and body and are as follows: concussion (continued mental confusion/short term memory loss); broken sternum-clavicle--jaw (2) places (surgery implanted 2 metal plates); shattered upper femur…
Can not turn ignition key to start the car. Car was parked in a parking lot. After several hours had to pry up console to switch the the yellow up. Then had to put gear in neutral. Put oil in gear shaft area. Plus blow out any debris that might have fallen in key hole. Also put lubricant in key shaft.
This concerns nhtsa recall #18v273. I bought this car new at a dealer 30 miles from my home. Smart has left the us market and their website shows the closest dealer is 220 miles away (one direction). Their website says that authorized mercedes-benz dealers can perform the recall work.
Recall campaign number [phone]. I live in boise, idaho. The closest dealer that can do the recall work is in draper utah. The dealer wants me to drive the car to utah to have the recall done. Doesn't seem like a safe idea for me.
In 10-15 minutes was a knock on the door by a neighbor who said "your car is on fire". We called 911, emptied a fire extinguisher to no avail. I took many photos from start to finish while waiting for the fire department. They put out the fire. Insurance tow truck took the car to their lot.
Both have periodically been balky shifters (stuck when trying to move the gear selector out of park). One has briefly refused to shift into any gear, independent of the gear indicated. Both have briefly refused to shift out of park... Until today when my wife was stuck in park at a red light.
Could not shift into reverse. This problem has gotten worst. The failure to shift into reverse happens almost daily. The smart dealer stated I need a new clutch. This start at about 20,000 miles. All other manual and automatic shifting is normal.
I attempted to secure my right front seatbelt clip into the designated right seatbelt receptor but it would not completely insert nor lock into place. Then, I checked if any debris had became lodged in the seatbelt receptor that may have blocked the seatbelt receptor entry way.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 8,823 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fortwo Cabrio has 14 complaints (2 years in the data). This year has 17, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 17. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (12%), seat belts (12%), airbags did not deploy (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2008 Smart Fortwo Cabrio from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2008 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.