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Engine coolingPart report

2009 Smart Fortwo Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
9%of 100 total for the year
Median mileage
37,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2009 Smart Fortwo, 9% of the 100 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“After getting home from school, coming in saying hello to the family I went back out to my car to get my bag. When I approached my car I could hear what I believed to be my radiator fans still running despite the car was turned off. My logic was maybe a glitch in the computer. So I proceeded to simply turn the car on and then off to see if that would help. Nope, that didn't do the trick. Puzzled I came inside to inform my dad what was going on, while I was talking to my dad I could hear the factory alarm going off, then it started honking, the windshield wipers were running. …”

NHTSA complaint #10478536, filed 2012-10, 38,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that on multiple occasions when the vehicle was parked and the gear shifter was shifted, the transmission would only shift into neutral. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle failed to respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. Additionally, the tire pressure warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11520076, filed 2023-05, 37,000 miles

“The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact stated while attempting to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but was denied repair due to the vehicle being a smart car. The manufacturer was informed of failure and told the contact that since the vehicle was not a Mercedes-Benz vehicle, they would not honor the recall repair. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11429035, filed 2021-08

“The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment at the dealer; however, the dealer contacted the contact and decline to honor the recall repair appointment. …”

NHTSA complaint #11612872, filed 2024-09

“The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart Fortwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and several unknown dealers were contacted and informed the contact that they did not service Smart vehicles. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”

NHTSA complaint #11611680, filed 2024-08

Related recalls

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201615%
200999%
2008129%

Other parts of the 2009 Smart Fortwo

Transmission and drivetrain
27 complaints
Engine
19 complaints
Other or unknown
18 complaints
Electrical system
14 complaints
Body and structure
10 complaints
Fuel system
9 complaints
Air bags
5 complaints
Seat belts
5 complaints
Tires
5 complaints
Wheels
5 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Suspension
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2009 Smart Fortwo

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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