Problems · by component
2009 smart Fortwo power train problems
30 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 smart Fortwo cite power train, 27% of all 111 complaints for this model year.
Complaints
30
27% of all complaints
Crashes
1
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
What owners say about the power train
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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…”
“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: 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.”
“2008 Smart Fortwo has a recall open for reprograming the transmission computer because of rough shifting and bucking while shifting and lugging the engine to much before down shifting. Mine is a 2008 but the VIN was not included in the recall and I am having the same problems with mine. Can mine be added to the recall?”
“REVERSE DOESN'T ENGAGE WHEN SHIFTING THE GEAR TO R, EITHER I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE OR GO THE MANUAL SHIFTS THEN EVENTUALLY THE REVERSE GEAR WILL ENGAGE. SOMETIMES IT TAKES MINUTES TO ENGAGE AND IT BECOMES PROBLEMATIC WHEN CONDUCTING IN TRAFFIC AND IT IS VERY HAZARDOUS.”
“CAR DOESN'T SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR IT GOES INTO NEUTRAL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE .IM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS ISSUE AND APPARENTLY SMART KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM.THIS PROBLEM IS PUTTING PEOPLE INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THEY START AND LEAVING YOU IN THE ROAD..THEY NEED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE AND KNOWINGLY PUTTING PEOPLE AT RISK. I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I COULDN'T SHIFT INTO REVERSE . I'VE READ AND HEARD FROM OTHERS SMART IS SAYING A SOFTWARE ERROR”
“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”
Showing 6 of 30 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.