Check a vehicle VIN check Latest recalls Latest complaints Common problems Rankings Compare vehicles Recall roundups All makes Guides Share your experience
Theme

Engine & cooling

2009 Smart Fortwo Engine problems

Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2009 Smart Fortwo's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 28% of all its complaints, most recently on September 5, 2024. They describe 0 crashes, 7 fires and 0 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
28
Recalls
1
Crashes
0
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2009 Smart Fortwo

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system

18V27300042,781 vehicles affected

The problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.
The risk
If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.

Engine complaints

Engine & cooling

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. The contact contacted two dealers and was informed that they do not perform repair on Mercedes-Benz Smart Cars. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11612872
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11611680
Engine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainWheels & tires

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. The contact also received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number:...

Read the full complaint

18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, parts to do the recall repair was unavailable. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Power train · TiresNHTSA 11520076
Engine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11429035
Engine & cooling

I sent an email not to long ago regarding my smartfortwo. I wanted to cancel or delete my complaint. Appears that my issue has nothing to do with key reprogramming. My issue is likely clutch / actuator issue. Please cancel, delete, ignore the complaint that is in error. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11328864
Engine & cooling

Today I received a third (3rd) recall notification for my 2009 smart four two coupe rear engine insulation mat. The notice states the current mat could increase the risk of fire. Each time I have contacted the dealer (55 miles distant) they have informed they are out of stock of this item. I've asked them to notify me when the item is in stock. I have never been notified. Could you please look into this apparent fire hazard. This has been going on for almost 2 years. I would be happy to install this easy fix if they would send me the insulation pad itself.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11323251
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in and repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine, engine cooling). Mercedes-benz of westminister (located at 10391 westminister blvd, westminister, co 80020, 303-410-7800) performed the repair. After the repair, the vehicle began to make a booming noise when the engine and/or radio were activated. The contact had not taken the vehicle back to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11278255
Engine & cooling

2009 Smart fortwo pure/passion. Consumer writes in regard to safety nhtsa recall notice #18v273. *As the consumer stated the dealer was to arrange having the vehicle repaired locally due to the consumer's disability. The dealer did not make an arrangement that the consumer found reasonable. *Js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11269654
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. While driving 25 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise and the abs and check engine warning indicators illuminated. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that mercedes-benz of edison (located at 910 us-1, edison, nj 08817, (732) 394-1870) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The part was not available for the repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The failure mileage was 89,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11267410
Engine & coolingFire

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...

Read the full complaint

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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11197315
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 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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11190941
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 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

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11122178
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 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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11120512
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 was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11112001
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 mercedes-benz of san jose at 408-214-3009 (located at 3000 e capitol expy, san jose, ca 95148) 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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11111893
Engine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact was not notified, but the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling). While the vehicle was in operation, it caught fire in the engine compartment without warning. The fire extinguished on its own and caused catastrophic engine failure. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to mercedes-benz of tysons corner in vienna, va (703-442-8200) and repaired at the contact's expense. The contact wanted to be reimbursed for the repair since the vehicle was included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was not available. *Tt

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11093718
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

I was on my way to school, the car began making a grinding noise, as I moved to the shoulder it died and the steering wheel locked up, the radio cut off, the horn stayed on, all the wipers went full force and the doors locked. When I finally kicked the door open I went to the front of the vehicle and opened the good. I began so smell burning plastic and went to the driver side again. When I got there, there were flaming drips coming from under the panels. I attempted to put them out but it was futile. I removed myself from the situation and called fire rescue. The whole thing took 2 minutes before the car was toast

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11091164
Transmission & drivetrainBody, doors & structureEngine & cooling

I bought the car and less than two weeks the transmission went there was flashing and beeping and the car would not go into gear. I bought a 2009 and in 2008 there was a recall on that model for that transmission problem sometimes the car won't start sometimes now and the hood latch is broken

Filed Incident Power train · Structure · EngineNHTSA 11078574
Engine & cooling

Car continue to throw out p0302 code. This is a known issue by manufacturer avout valve not seating properly but have not anything about this problem.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11075948
Body, doors & structureEngine & coolingFire

I represent the owners of this 2009 smart fortwo vehicle. My client drove the vehicle home after work and parked in the garage. Approximately 30 minutes after parking the vehicle in the garage, my client was awoken by his son who smelled smoke. My client followed the smoke to the garage where he found the vehicle on fire. It appeared the fire started in the engine compartment. The fire spread quickly throughout the garage and into the house. The property damage is extensive, including totaling both vehicles in the garage and extensive property damage to the home.

Filed Incident Structure · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11042163
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact heard a knocking sound under the hood of the vehicle and smoke began to fill the vehicle underneath the steering column. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle; however, the knocking sound and smoke continued. The horn and alarm began to sound. The contact disconnected the battery and flames appeared underneath the dashboard. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was declared un-drivable. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10939937
Engine & coolingFire

Driving to a friends house, about a 10-15 min. Drive... Friend say he smells smoke, look to the right side onto the mirror and its smoke coming from the back side of my car. Open the back to look at the engine - a lot of smoke is coming out and as the smoke is clearing my friend sees flames and we quickly after grab a hose and call 9-1-1. Don't know what caused the fire, firemen said not to start the car called aaa. Firemen said we got lucky it didn't reach the gas tank.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 10790017
Engine & cooling

Was driving on the highway when suddenly over heat and check engine light came on, and about 20 seconds later the car loss all power. I almost got hit my the car behind me, but was able to safely pull over to the side of the highway. *Tr

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 10694916
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

When I start my car and put it in drive it shows reverse on the screen or nothing at all. Then my car will back up instead of going forward. I almost got into an accident a few times because of this problem. This problem has happened to me more than once. The air tubes in the engine already have cracks in them likely because a cheap material was used to produce them, this is very dangerous because it can lead to engine fires in many of these vehicles. In addition, something seems to be already wrong with my transmission and the car is not even that old. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10595006
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

The car has a problem with not going in reverse when you put the gear shifter in 'r' position? Usually after driven and the car is warmed up. The car just rolls when put in reverse, as if though it's in neutral.. When giving gas it just revs the engine and nothing happens.. The car is automatic transmission. And it can be dangerous putting the car in reverse if it's on a slope. The vehicle can roll. This is a normal problem with the 08-09 year. This should defiantly be a recall issue. Thank you for taken the time to read my complaint. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10555750

Smart Fortwo engine complaints by year

Fortwo engine problems, every year

Had a engine problem with your 2009 Fortwo? Tell other owners.

Your experience goes live straight away and helps every owner and buyer who checks this vehicle. Anonymous, free, no account.

Overall, how would you rate it? *

0/4000 · Please leave out names, phone numbers and your full VIN.

By posting you confirm it's your own, honest experience and agree to the rules. Safety defect? Also report it to NHTSA - that's how recalls start.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

Owners helping owners

Know before you drive.

Every experience you share - good or bad - shows on that vehicle's page and helps the next owner and buyer. Two minutes, anonymous.

Share your experience