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.
Safety risk
If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.
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.
Safety risk
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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPAINT THE AFFECTED AREAS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMART USA AT 1-248-648-2451.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Engine
33
50,000 mi
Power train
24
43,000 mi
Electrical system
20
29,000 mi
Unknown or other
17
54,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
10
26,380 mi
Seat belts
10
20,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
9
79,866 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
9
8,400 mi
Service brakes
6
43,000 mi
Air bags
5
20,500 mi
Structure: body
5
35,000 mi
Steering
4
23,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
3
1,000 mi
Exterior lighting
2
43,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages
2
3,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
2
36,585 mi
Structure
2
17,500 mi
Visibility
2
1,200 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
139,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine
1
23,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system
1
80,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
1
—
Equipment adaptive/mobility
1
29,650 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch
1
51,424 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
1
51,424 mi
Seats
1
51,699 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light
1
139,000 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars
1
39,000 mi
Suspension
1
52,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
15,000 mi
Traction control system
1
42,000 mi
Visibility/wiper
1
17,500 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
1
—
The 2009 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.