2008 Smart Fortwo Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 140 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 23,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the steering of the 2008 Smart Fortwo, 3% of the 140 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 23,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“Car makes loud loud noises and they telling me it was normal nothing wrong I don't think that's true can some one help me it's been like this sense I n ought it at annapolis dealership seat belt steering wheel loud noises.”
NHTSA complaint #10706473, filed 2015-04, 19,000 miles“2008 Smart Fortwo Pure, currently with 85,036 miles, factory equipped with optional POWER STEERING - ELECTRIC, power steering had worked fine until Fall 2020 when cold temperatures caused steering lock-up, until car interior warmed enough to unlock steering, behavior consistent throughout that winter. Once steering unlocked, steering was normal, until car sat & chilled sufficiently to re-lock steering, or fault disappeared with warmer Spring 2021 temperatures. …”
NHTSA complaint #11443181, filed 2021-12“The contact owns a 2008 Smart car Fortwo. While driving 45 MPH the contact noticed that the vehicle suddenly began to move to the right. When the contact attempted to turn the steering wheel he noticed that the tires would in the same direction which caused the contact to crash into a mailbox. No one was injured. A police report was not filed. The failure was not diagnosed by the dealer. The current and failure mileages were 23,000. Updated 8/25/10 updated 08/27/10 updated 08/30/10”
NHTSA complaint #10340958, filed 2010-07, 23,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10134791Dec 7, 2017Noise from area of electric steering
- 10167004Feb 18, 2014Creaking, grating or grunting noise while steering audible in the steering gear area. The noise can be transferred through the steering gear into the interior. The noise occurs…
Steering: 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 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsAir bags
5 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 29, 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