2009 Smart Fortwo Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 3%of 100 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 7,700miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the brakes of the 2009 Smart Fortwo, 3% of the 100 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 7,700 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.
“I have a 2009 Smart for two passion model on 7/21 I went to go into a parking place at a small shopping area and the brakes slowed me down but would not allow me to come to a complete stop. I was going very slow but could not stop thus I hit the window of a furniture store. It broke the window and the only damage to my car wee cuts in the plastic from the falling glass as it took them 2 hours to pick it up. The police filed a report, no one was injured, the air bags did not deploy, and I went such a short distance I did not have time to think about putting on the emergency brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #10346474, filed 2010-07, 7,700 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off, the contact waited, and then restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The failure had occurred several times while driving. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to brake immediately and drifted to the left. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard for the vehicle to come to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. …”
NHTSA complaint #11682335, filed 2025-08, 74,254 miles“The contact owns a 2009 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that the ABS system warning light remained illuminated and caused the traction control to also fail. The dealer advised that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 4,600.”
NHTSA complaint #10556623, filed 2013-12, 4,600 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 2009 Smart Fortwo
27 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsElectrical system
14 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsEngine cooling
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaintsTires
5 complaintsWheels
5 complaintsSuspension
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 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