2009 Smart Fortwo: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Smart Fortwo: 1 recall, 100 owner complaints and up to 36 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #18V273000 · 2018 · 42,781 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 11 mention a fire, 2 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (27): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (19), stalls / loses power (2).
- Engine (19): the most common themes are fire / smoke (7), noise or vibration (4), warning light on (2).
- Other / unknown (18): the most common themes are fire / smoke (7), stalls / loses power (3).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are electrical failure (7), fire / smoke (5).
The 2009 Smart Fortwo has 100 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 13 Fortwo model years for complaints (3.8× the average Fortwo year). Complaints peaked in 2018 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 7 years old, at a median of 38,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2008 (140 complaints, 2 recalls), 2010 (6 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 L 3-cyl | Automatic (AM5) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 33 | 41 | 36 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2009 Smart Fortwo.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2009 Smart Fortwo have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2009 Smart Fortwo. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2009 Smart Fortwo problems?
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (27), engine (19), other / unknown (18).
What gas mileage does the 2009 Smart Fortwo get?
EPA ratings run up to 36 mpg combined (1.0 L, Automatic (AM5)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2009 Smart Fortwo repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.