Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Smart fortwo owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We were driving in Greensboro NC this afternoon on the way to my husbands birthday dinner when off of Bridford? Parkway our 2008 smart car passion for two started malfunctioning all lights flashing on instrument panel & brakes quit & another motorist drove up beside us with window down screaming GET OUT YOUR CAR IS ON FIRE!!! We managed to stop on side of road at woods & jumped out car was on fire looked like under back tires and engine in back! We grabbed what we could save & ran. 911 was called & fire and police came. 2 Witnesses also to event we have photos & videos. Our car burned all the way down to frame! Total loss! We could have died because we couldnt see the fire behind us under car & if not for the man we may have blown up!!
I was entering an intersection and missed judged the traffic light and was a bit to far forward, so I tried to reverse but the car would not shift to reverse. I have had an actuator replaced but the problem still happens intermittently where it will not shift to reverse. I have logged into smart car forums online and it seems to be an ongoing problem with many smart cars. I have not had the manufacturer look at it yet. Many on the forum said in some cases it is a software issue. But it is dangerous.
My son was driving down the road when he noticed smoke in the floor board. He was about .5 miles from our house and went to turn around when he noticed fire in the back/engine area of the car. He was able to get out of the car and ran to a house to call 911. As the home owner was calling they heard the car explode. The entire car burned with only the metal frame of the car, seats, etc. Left standing. In September the car passed the state inspection. When my husband and I arrived (which was only minutes from it happening since we were only .5 miles away) the car was engulfed in flames. Thankfully my son was able to get out. I'm also thankful for the rain that had just started because it soaked the previously dry leaves and trees that could've been also engulfed in the flames and caused home/property damage to others.
An hour or hour and a half after parking the car we noticed that there was smoke coming from the inside of the car. The car had smoke and a electrical fire smell. The fire department was called. They disconnected the battery and the smoke stopped. The actual source could not be identified. The smoke was coming from the engine compartment. The car was totaled. Do I have any legal recourse?
In my garage I tried to start car after emptying water from flooded battery box and allowing to dry for 4 days. Electrical cable running through battery box caught fire and burned completely through, see picture. Battery box flooded from A/C condensation tube disconnect in battery box, see picture, well documented issue on smartusa blog.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Smart fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle would inadvertently turn off when the ignition key was accidentally touched. The location for the key was placed between the driver and front passenger seats. The contact also mentioned that the engine overheated when driving at various speeds. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 18V273000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact called midstate auto group inc. At [phone] (located at 810 washington st, auburn, ma 01501) and was informed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and was not able to confirm when the parts were to become available. The contact also stated that the convertible roof did not completely close. The dealer was made aware of the convertible roof failure and informed the contact that the warranty had expired. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Smart fortwo. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the anti-lock brake indicator illuminated. In addition, the alternator seized and all the warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to prime motor cars (137 us route 1, scarborough, me 04074, [phone]) for an unknown recall repair, but the technician stated that the failure was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
Vehicle in my garage, found vehicle battery box and passenger seat flooded due to the air conditioning condensation tube joint located in the battery box disconnected. Vehicle would not start, vehicle will not start, even after emptying the water from the battery box and recharging the battery. Have a read multiple complaints concerning this issue on the Smart blog. Possible electric shock issue as well as all electrical and lights out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Smart fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. Also, while attempting to reverse, the gear shifter failed to remain in the correct gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed there was an electrical failure. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,000.
.........I not the curren owner for this vehicle but, my Smart is affected with the same problem or fault-defect. Https://www.iaai.com/vehicle?itemid=31877430&rownumber=9&loadrecent=true . .........vehicle won't start. ..........fuse box. Fail. .......... ......... Thank you.
Electrical complaints in other fortwo years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2008 Smart fortwo?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Smart fortwo, 13% of the model year's 160 complaints. The component named most often is alternator/generator/regulator (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Smart fortwo electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2008 Smart fortwo, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2008 Smart fortwo electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 39,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.