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Smart Fortwo CoupeModel year report

2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe Problems

Complaints
20filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
19,256miles, 20 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
36 mpgcombined, 1.0L 3-cyl RWD · 33 city / 41 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (35% of the total), followed by body and structure (4) and brakes (2). 20 of the complaints include a mileage, and 85% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,256 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 7 technical service bulletins for this model year.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Steering (1).

Example complaints

Transmission and drivetrain: “Several times my 2008 Smart will not go into reverse gear.or start sometimes as explained in many other post here. Mb said that its my clutch assemby, mb report says (1) transmission need to be removed inspect clutch disk pressure plates and thowout bearing/ clutch will not teach in causing engine lamp cost $1359.00 and if that dont work (2) clutch assemby replacement of clutch thowout bearing pressure plate if needed when transmission is out parts only $1031.20 this car only has 38,326 miles on it I am the 2nd owner pad got the car with 4,500 miles on it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10777782, filed 2015-09, 38,326 miles

Body and structure: “The service flap (hood) on my 2009 Smart car has detached twice. In each incident the vehicle was being towed behind a motorhome. After the first incident the dealership sent me a new hood and I installed it myself as there was no dealer within 1,500 miles of my location. After the second time and with more damage done smartusa is claiming that the hood was not properly secured by me causing it to come off. This time extensive damage occurred to the vehicle. …”

NHTSA complaint #10298992, filed 2010-01, 11,400 miles

Brakes: “Driving on ca70 south towards plumas lake blvd. Exit, braking lightly from 55 MPH to 35mph to exit the freeway caused ABS and electronic stability program (esp)((electronic stability control)) exclamation lights to light up which denoted the ABS and esp disabled. When coming to a stop at the stop sign, the Smart was shut down and restarted to reset the ABS and esp for safety only to find that the transmission would not shift from park to drive and was locked into park. …”

NHTSA complaint #10424566, filed 2011-09, 25,646 miles

Engine cooling: “While driving down the north dallas tollway I heard a sudden loud pop noise in the back of my car where my engine is located. It was startling enough to pull off onto the shoulder of the highway and exit my car immediately to see where the noise came from. Upon exiting my vehicle, I saw coming from the back of the car where the engine is located flames coming out of the engine. I immediately removed myself from the vicinity of the car and within moments my car was engulfed in flames. …”

NHTSA complaint #10916505, filed 2016-10, 80,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

85% of the 20 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 6,789 and 38,326 miles.

30%0–1025%10–2530%25–5010%50–755%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (20 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 19,256 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2008420092010420112013201520162020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
fortwo coupe RWD1.0L 3-cyl5-speed automatic334136$2,300

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 7 on record; the latest 7 are shown.

Other model years of the Smart Fortwo Coupe

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20082019,2560—36—Falling

All Smart Fortwo Coupe model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe have?

NHTSA recorded 20 consumer complaints for the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe is reported most often?

Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (35% of the total), followed by body and structure with 4.

Has the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe (fortwo coupe, 1.0L 3-cyl) at 36 mpg combined, 33 city and 41 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2008 Smart Fortwo Coupe reported?

Among the 20 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,256 miles and the middle half falls between 6,789 and 38,326 miles; 85% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.