NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
100 reports58,232 miles · Apr 19, 2019
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT HEAT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR CARPET AND PLASTIC FROM THE TRUNK COVER CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT FELT HEAT COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR CARPET AND PLASTIC FROM THE TRUNK COVER CAUGHT FIRE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA (LOCATED AT 4400 N DALE MABRY HWY, TAMPA, FL 33614, (813) 579-2138) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED EMAIL ID NUMBER: 1-KEMGKL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,232.
NHTSA ODI #11197315
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2019
Power Train
IINTERMITTENTLY FAILS TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE WHEN STOPPED OR PARKED
NHTSA ODI #11195845
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEDFORD (18122 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (440) 439-0100) WAS CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. MERCEDES-BENZ OF BEDFORD (18122 ROCKSIDE RD, BEDFORD, OH 44146, (440) 439-0100) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11190941
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2019
Other/unknownUnknown Or OtherFire
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE CAR THE CAR BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I NOTICED THE CAR WAS ON FIRE BEHIND ME AND I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AS THE FIRE ENGULFED THE REMAINDER OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11172272
41,000 miles · Oct 9, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD WIDE MOTORS, INC (3900 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240)…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, CAUSING THE BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WORLD WIDE MOTORS, INC (3900 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240) WHERE THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE SAME FAILURES OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000. *TT UPDATED 12/12/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11139312
121,000 miles · Sep 24, 2018
Electrical SystemPower Train
POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH SMARTCAR 2009, VIN: [XXX] INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH GEARBOX SHIFTER NOT ALLOWING CAR TO BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE, OR LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. IF A SIMILAR SMARCARS ARE STUCK ON TRAIN TRACKS, AND CANNOT MANEUVER TO GET OFF THE TRACKS THIS COULD B…
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POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH SMARTCAR 2009, VIN: [XXX] INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH GEARBOX SHIFTER NOT ALLOWING CAR TO BE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN TRYING TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE, OR LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. IF A SIMILAR SMARCARS ARE STUCK ON TRAIN TRACKS, AND CANNOT MANEUVER TO GET OFF THE TRACKS THIS COULD BE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS NOT A ONE OFF ISSUE, IT IS NOTED ON MULTIPLE INTERNATIONAL SMARTCAR BLOGS, HTTPS://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F4/REVERSE-DOES-NOT-ENGAGE-140961 HTTPS://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F353/WON-T-GO-INTO-REVERSE-SOMETIMES-33556/ HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=4IWBPVZKSZE ADDITIONALLY, THE CONSOLE WILL SHOW A FLASHING "D" AND WRENCHES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #11131081
98,000 miles · Aug 29, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
ELECTRICAL FUSES TEND TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS, WITH A/C COMING ON AND OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME, OFTEN WHEN I HIT SPEED BUMPS. THE LIGHTS CAN BE CAUSED BY THIS AS WELL HITTING THE SIMPLE RIGHT CORNER TURN CAN POP THE LIGHT RIGHT OUT. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM THAT IT NEEDS BETTER SHOCKS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS BOTH FRONT AN…
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ELECTRICAL FUSES TEND TO CAUSE ELECTRICAL SHORTS, WITH A/C COMING ON AND OFF AT ANY GIVEN TIME, OFTEN WHEN I HIT SPEED BUMPS. THE LIGHTS CAN BE CAUSED BY THIS AS WELL HITTING THE SIMPLE RIGHT CORNER TURN CAN POP THE LIGHT RIGHT OUT. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM THAT IT NEEDS BETTER SHOCKS. I HAVE REPLACED THE LIGHTS BOTH FRONT AND BACK AT A VERY MINIMUM OF 12 TIMES A YEAR. THAT'S RIDICULOUS IN MY EYES.IT SHOULD BE SMARTER THAN THAT!!!!
NHTSA ODI #11123294
Mileage unknown · Aug 27, 2018
Unknown Or Other
SMART CAR RECALL I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ON AUGUST 3, 2018 AND THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO CONTACT ME BACK - I AM STILL WAITING. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME ONCE THEY HAD PARTS AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #11122678
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF OXNAR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE DEALER (MERCEDES-BENZ OF OXNARD, 1511 AUTO CENTER DR, OXNARD, CA 93036, (805) 665-301) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS AND TOOL NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFEREED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT CONTACT STATES ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #11122178
Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2018
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENTER OF LOUISVILLE AT ((502) 896-4411, 4156 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40207) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V273000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENTER OF LOUISVILLE AT ((502) 896-4411, 4156 SHELBYVILLE RD, LOUISVILLE, KY 40207) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
NHTSA ODI #11120512
NHTSA investigations
2EA17003 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Sep 1, 2017 · Closed Aug 21, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On April 30, 2018, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, (Mercedes-Benz) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR) to NHTSA regarding a defect that could result in a vehicle fire starting from the engine compartment in 42,781 model year (MY) 2008 and 2009 Smart Fortwo cabrio and coupe vehicles (451 platform).According to Mercedes-Benz?s DIR, ?the rear insulation mat within the engine compartment might deform, deteriorate, loosen and over time, subsequently be able to contact hot components of the exhaust system.This could lead to an ignition of the insulation mat and possible fire in the engine compartment.?The US-specification exhaust system has an external catalytic converter packaged close to the insulation mat, where temperatures in the vicinity of the insulation mat reach high values.Over time, these temperatures can lead to a change in the insulation mat's material characteristics and ultimately allow the material to deform. Depending on the magnitude and the specific location of the deformation, the insulation mat could contact hot components of the exhaust system and ignite.Mercedes-Benz will replace the rear insulation mat on the affected vehicles with the improved mat first implemented in the United States in MY 2010 vehicles.ODI?s analysis of fire incident field data reported to NHTSA and Mercedes-Benz show an increasing trend of non-crash fires in the subject vehicles that begins after 4 years of service and accelerates after 7 years of service.The analysis shows that this trend is driven by fires occurring in the engine compartment.Forensic investigations of fires occurring in the past year identified the insulation mat as a likely or possible cause of most of the fires originating in the engine compartment.This investigation is closed based on Mercedes-Benz insulation mat recall.For more information about field data trends and fire investigations, see the closing resume in the document file for this investigation.
PE16016 · Engine Compartment Fire
Opened Dec 16, 2016 · Closed Nov 20, 2017
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
On December 16, 2016, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE16-016 to investigate eight complaints alleging incidents of engine compartment fire while driving or shortly after engine shutdown in model year (MY) 2008 through 2009 Smart Fortwo vehicles.The complaints appeared to indicate an increasing trend, with all eight fires occurring since January 2015.As part of PE16-016, ODI analyzed information related to incidents reported to the Office by consumers, analyzed field data and technical information submitted by Mercedes-Benz USA (Mercedes) in response to the PE16-016 information request letter, and analyzed non-crash vehicle fire claim data provided by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).To date, ODI's analysis of incidents reported by consumers and provided by Mercedes has identified 27 incidents of open flame fires originating in the engine compartments of the subject vehicles, 14 of which were reported to ODI by Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) and 18 involving complaints or field reports to Mercedes (5 of the incidents were reported to both ODI and Mercedes).One incident reported to Mercedes includes an allegation of an injury from smoke inhalation.Nineteen (19) of the incidents occurred since January 2015.Mercedes has only investigated 2 of the 27 fire incidents, and the company was unable to identify a vehicle-based cause for either incident.To further assess incident rates and trends, ODI requested fire claim data for the subject vehicles and eight peer vehicles from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI).HLDI collects insurance claim data from companies representing over 80 percent of the market for private passenger vehicle insurance in the United States.ODI?s analysis of the HLDI data, which covered the period from 2010 through late-2016, found that the MY 2008 Fortwo vehicles had a significantly higher claim frequency than its peers and, similar to ODI?s complaint trend, experienced a sharp increase in claims in 2015.This investigation has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA17-003) to continue to investigate the high frequency and increasing trend of non-crash engine compartment fire incidents in the subject vehicles.The VOQs associated with the opening of this investigation were:10676359, 10780222, 10790017, 10820891, 10872656, 10944676, 10916505, 10924311, 10924637, 10939504, 10945296, 10993895, 11011100, 11011565.
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