2008 Smart Fortwo Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 8%of 140 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 36,840miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the fuel system of the 2008 Smart Fortwo, 8% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 36,840 miles.
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.
“As my wife was filling the gas tank it failed to build back pressure that would normally shut off the gas pump. This has occurred twice. Then on mon. The 19th of june after work my wife complained of a strong gas oder inside the vehicle. She drove the car to work on tues. Morning and had the same strong gas smell. She thought that it might be due to overfilling the tank. When she got home on tues. Night we noticed a steady stream of gas pouring out of the vehicle under the car near the passenger side of the vehicle. The gas only streamed out when the engine was running. …”
NHTSA complaint #11000905, filed 2017-06, 32,500 miles“During routine driving, gradually smelled stronger gasoline odors. Odor remained with car while parked & unused for several days. Smelled strong gasoline odor when engine running while parked in driveway. Observed gasoline is slowly dripping under car, forward of the rear-mounted engine compartment, from hole located in plastic undercar shield. …”
NHTSA complaint #11023751, filed 2017-09, 79,866 miles“Fracture in the plastic nipple at the top of the fuel pump which connects the fuel pump output to the engine. This condition allowed gasoline to spray all over the bottom of the vehicle. The manufacturer's field representative who was present when the defect was discovered stated that this was due to normal wear and was not a manufacturing defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10629843, filed 2014-09, 41,179 miles“2008 Smart passion, 116k miles, maintained at recommended service intervals: condition: vehicle in use, various driving conditions: old gas smell inside vehicle after a break from usage of ~4-8 hours. Fresh gas smell outside vehicle near the rear, after vehicle is used. No smell inside or outside if vehicle is left to stand 2-3 days. Inspection: no fluid leaks observed under car. Condition is repeating/repeatable. Upon removing rh rear lamp inspection plate, gas smell was found to be greater. No visual evidence of overfill on the fuel filler tube observable inside inspection cover. …”
NHTSA complaint #11021082, filed 2017-09, 116,000 miles“Gas gauge on 2009 Smart Fortwo will not register full on fill up. Car has been to the dealer 3 times to have repaired and they have replaced everything associated with this issue. Still cannot fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10258813, filed 2009-02, 1,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10135709May 24, 2016Smart 453 Engine diagnosis warning lamp activated - Fault code P261000
- 10135666Apr 2, 2015Instrument cluster - Fuel gauge does not indicate "Full"
- 10135595Mar 23, 2015Instrument cluster - Fuel gauge does not indicate "Full"
Fuel system: 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 complaintsSeat belts
10 complaintsBrakes
9 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