2008 Smart Fortwo Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 6%of 140 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the brakes of the 2008 Smart Fortwo, 6% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11129626, filed 2018-09, 124,000 miles“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,,”
NHTSA complaint #10577830, filed 2014-04, 43,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11484742, filed 2022-09“I was leaving for work in my Smart Fortwo 451 on a snowy morning. My driveway is rather steep, and while slowly going down the hill the car began to slide. I applied the brakes and began slowing to a stop but was still sliding. I pumped the brake pedal and was still in control of the car when my foot slipped off the brake pedal and became wedged between it and the accelerator. I tried frantically to pull it out but it was stuck fast, and the car was accelerating (due to gravity) down the driveway. …”
NHTSA complaint #10375542, filed 2011-01“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”
NHTSA complaint #10936528, filed 2016-12, 52,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily…
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2008 Smart Fortwo
33 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
32 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSteering
4 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
3 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Smart Fortwo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology