3.5% of complaints about the 2008 Smart Fortwo came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2008 vehicle — around the middle of the 262 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is power train (39 complaints), typically at 4.6 yr or about 30,000 miles.
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.
If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
SMART USA IS RECALLING 43 MY 2008 FORTWO 451 VEHICLES. A SINGLE BATCH OF PAINT SENT TO THE COMPANY DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. A RE-WORK WAS DONE IN THE PLANT USING DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF PAINTING MATERIALS. AFTER THE RE-WORK WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COMBINATION OF MATERIALS USED TO REPAINT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS COULD LEAD TO DE LAMINATION OF THE PAINT MATERIALS FROM THE BODY AND FRAME STRUCTURES.
SUCH DE LAMINATING CAN TAKE PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE BODY WHERE THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF HAVE BEEN AFFIXED WITH ADHESIVE, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE ADHESION OF THOSE COMPONENTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEPARATION. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF THE ROOF OR WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
MY CAR'S SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK. I CANNOT SHIFT TO N (NEUTRAL), D (DRIVE), OR R (REVERSE). THIS EFFECTIVELY RENDERS THE CAR INOPERABLE. *TR
THE FAILING PART IS IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER. THE SHIFT LEVER RELEASE BUTTON BEGINS TO GET RESISTIVE IN IT'S OPERATION AND THEN FAILS TO ACTUATE ALL TOGETHER. IN MY CASE THIS RESULTED IN THE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVING TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE SHIFT LEVER ASSEMBLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT APPROXIMATELY 8400 MILES. IT HAS BEEN ABOUT 500 MILES SINCE THE REPAIR AND I CAN FEEL THE LEVER BECOMING RESISTIVE AGAIN. *TR
SINCE NEW. CAR HAS PROBLEM MOVING FROM PARK INTO GEAR, EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE. EVEN WHEN GEARSHIFT MOVES AND INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS GEAR, DOES NOT ENGAGE. SAME PROBLEM MOVING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE. GEARSHIFT STICKS ON OCCASION AND IS DIFFICULT TO MOVE. *TR
ENGINE STOPS AFTER MAKING A HARSH LEFT TURN- SUCH AS IN A U-TURN. CHECKED FOR PHYSICAL TOUCHING OF INSERTED KEY AND THAT IS NOT THE CASE. MOTOR STARTS IMMEDIATELY WHEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND IGNITION KEY IS TURNED. *TR