2008 smart Fortwo drivetrain & axles problems
Owners reported drivetrain & axles problems in 23 complaints for the 2008 smart Fortwo, 13% of the complaints on file. It is the 2nd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 23 13% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 43,000 miles 21 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 3 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 6 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When drivetrain & axles problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 7 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 5 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 4 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 21 drivetrain & axles complaints that report mileage, the median is about 43,000 miles, and 71% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 6 injuries.
What owners wrote
Smart car had history of not going in reverse. "r" would not come up on screen, car would just roll forward, hitting vehicle(s) in front. Then for a couple of months, (2 years) car would go into neutral while driving, (even on highway) coast for a while, then shut down, and not restart. If you waited 10 minutes, it would usually restart. If tried sooner, it either would not restart, or only go into neutral. It would not shift into any other gear.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. After the vehicle was started and shifted into reverse, it failed to respond. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure occurred at least four times previously. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.
Other problems reported for the 2008 smart Fortwo
- Engine 46 complaints
- Electrical system 20 complaints
Drivetrain & axles problems in other years
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2011
- 2009
- 2008