2008 smart Fortwo electrical system problems
20 complaints about electrical system have been filed for the 2008 smart Fortwo, which is 11% of all its NHTSA complaints. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 20 11% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 33,000 miles 17 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 4
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When electrical system problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 2 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 8 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 0 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 2 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 17 electrical system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 33,000 miles, and 59% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 4 fires.
What owners wrote
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.
While driving at night at about 45 miles per hour, I was shifting into fifth gear and the car just went blank. The lights went out and all noise ceased to exist. At first it was a bit of a shock, so I immediately pulled off of the road onto the dirt. Luckily there were no cars around as the sudden lose of power could have caused someone to run into me, as I had no lights. After looking around the insde of the car I noticed that the key was in the off position.
Other problems reported for the 2008 smart Fortwo
- Engine 46 complaints
- Drivetrain & axles 23 complaints
Electrical system problems in other years
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2011
- 2009
- 2008