NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 111 owner complaints for the 2009 smart Fortwo. Most complaints involve power train (30) and electrical system (20). The EPA rates it 36 mpg combined.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“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. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ABS was faulty and retrieved Diagnostic Trouble Codes: 1314 and C1443. The contact stated that the front brake pads were replaced by the dealer, and the rear brake pads were replaced by a certified mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired for the failure to accelerate, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was purchased on July 17, 2025, and the seller kept the repair issues with the vehicle from the contact and failed to provide information on the previous repairs. The contact stated that the failure recurred after retrieving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not…”
“APPEARS THAT MY 2009 SMART FORTWO PASSION AND OTHERS ON THE INTERNET ARE BEING CONFRONTED WITH MANY OF THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. VEHICLE WILL NOT GO INTO R (REVERSE) AT TIMES AND THE KEYFOB MAY NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR NOT WORKING IN THE VEHICLE AT ALL. DON'T KNOW IF IT IS THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE, TRANSPONDER, OR WHAT. I DO KNOW THAT MANY OWNERS ARE FACING THE SAME CHALLENGE. NO NEED FOR A KEY REMAKE, THE KEYS JUST DO NOT TURN THE CAR ON AT ALL. THE PROGRAMMING EQUIPMENT AND OR ALL THAT TROUBLESHOOTING YET MERCEDES TOP EXECUTIVES HAVE NOT AND WILL NOT ADDRESS OWNER CONCERNS. I CAN PULL INTO A PARKING LOT, HANDLE MY BUSINESS IN LETS SAY A SUPERMARKET. COME BACK OUT TO THE CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE AND ONLY N (NEUTRAL) APPEARS. I HAVE TO GO FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE THEN REVERSE FOR THE VEHICLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH 5 MILES ON IT AND HAVE OVER 100K. ONE DAY ON THE WAY TO WORK IT SHOOK BAD. I PULLED OVER. HAD TO BE TOWED BECAUSE THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON AT ALL. GAVE IT SOME TIME, THE BATTERY, WINDOWS, RADIO AND DASH LIGHT UP, BUT THE IGNITION ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. AGAIN, I HAVE NOTICED ON SEVERAL SITES MANY OWNERS OF THE SAME…”
“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”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fortwo convertible Auto (AM5), 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 33 | 41 | 36 | $2,200 | 247 |
| fortwo coupe Auto (AM5), 3 cyl, 1.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 33 | 41 | 36 | $2,200 | 247 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
1 safety recall as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (30), electrical system (20), engine (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2009 smart Fortwo at 36 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).