The Smart Fortwo Years To Avoid
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Welcome to the small and green world of the Smart ForTwo, a car that’s so compact it can make a MINI Cooper blush.
The Smart ForTwo is the ultimate city car. It can zip through traffic like a bicycle, find parking spaces where others see none, and still has room for your groceries. And the best part? It’s so fuel-efficient you’ll forget what a gas station looks like. But let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about what really matters: reliability and which years to steer clear of when shopping for your own Smart-machine.
First, let’s talk about reliability. The Smart ForTwo is like that small but scrappy player on the basketball team. It may not be the biggest or the fastest, but it knows how to hold its own. Its sturdy build and efficient engine make it a solid choice for city dwellers. It’s the little car that could, and it usually does.
However, like any car, the Smart ForTwo has had its ups and downs – and we’re here to highlight the Smart ForTwo years to avoid when buying used. Plus, we’ll offer in-depth insights into why these year models must be avoided.
Which Smart Fortwo Years To Avoid?
Love them or hate them, everyone has their opinion on Smart cars. They have pros and cons and never pretend to be anything else. Before we talk about the Smart Fortwo years to avoid, let’s first check out the overall reliability of the brand.
As per RepairPal, Smart has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a 10th ranking out of all 32 car brands. Although it has a higher annual repair cost of $751 per year, Smart cars have lower frequency and severity of repairs. Unfortunately, some Smart Fortwo years are more reliable than others.
Below are the worst Fortwo years to avoid due to reliability issues and a high number of complaints:
- 2008 Smart Fortwo
- 2009 Smart Fortwo
- 2016 Smart Fortwo
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2008 Smart Fortwo
While the 2008 Smart Fortwo can be a solid city jaunter, it has some serious mechanical issues most consumers would want to avoid. CarComplaints has documented 16 complaints for the 2008 Fortwo with some problems with the transmission and engine.
Below is a list of the potential problems you may run into with a 2008 Fortwo:
- The 2008 Smart ForTwo had two recalls, one of which involved the rear insulation mat in the engine compartment. This issue posed an elevated fire hazard if the mat degraded and came into contact with the exhaust components.
- A few 2008 Smart ForTwo vehicles encountered a structural issue in which paint was mistakenly used instead of adhesive in certain areas. This could potentially lead to the detachment of the roof and windshield from the car’s body.
- Customers of the Smart ForTwo raised concerns about increased noise levels experienced within the vehicle, primarily attributed to its engine.
- Users reported inconsistent behavior with the transmission of the vehicle, with instances of it being either too quick or sluggish. This led to a rocking sensation inside the car whenever an upshift occurred.
- The vehicle’s suspension fails to adequately absorb bumps on the road, resulting in insufficient cushioning. Additionally, the car demonstrates subpar cornering capabilities.
- The lightweight nature of the 2008 Smart ForTwo gives drivers a feeling like it is being pushed off the road by strong highway winds.
With these issues above, the 2008 Fortwo is an easy skip.
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2009 Smart Fortwo
The 2009 Smart Fortwo is much more reliable than the 2008 model but has its fair share of issues any used car buyer should know.
One of the main trouble spots of the 2008 Fortwo is its engine and cooling system. CarProblemZoo listed the engine cooling issue as the compact car’s primary problem. According to several owner complaints:
- One owner reported being denied repair under NHTSA campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine cooling) because the vehicle was a Smart car, not a Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
- There were transmission issues, with one owner reporting that the car would not go into gear and another stating that the car would not go in reverse when the gear shifter was in the ‘R’ position.
- A couple of owners reported fires originating from the engine compartment. In one case, the fire spread quickly throughout the garage and into the house, causing extensive property damage.
- One owner reported that the car continued to throw out a P0302 code, a known issue about the valve not seating properly.
Also, the powertrain of the 2009 Smart Fortwo has caused issues for some owners, particularly with shifting between park, reverse, and drive. The car occasionally enters neutral or doesn’t engage the correct gear, posing a safety risk. While restarting the vehicle sometimes resolves the issue, it remains a concern, especially during reverse maneuvers in busy areas.
That said, the 2009 Smart Fortwo is a worthy candidate for the worst Smart ForTwo years to avoid.
2016 Smart Fortwo
Last, the 2016 Smart Fortwo deserves the spotlight due to its engine, fuel system, and electrical issues. Some of the complaints about the engine cooling went:
- One owner reported that the car would shut off while driving. Despite multiple complaints to the dealership and Mercedes Benz, no action was taken to rectify the issue.
- Another owner reported that it would no longer start after leaving the vehicle parked for a month. The car was diagnosed with a battery management system failure, and the repair cost was estimated at $15,000. Mercedes would not cover the vehicle under warranty due to the lack of service upkeep.
- A third owner reported issues with the steering, brakes, gas system, and fuel gauge since purchasing the car. The dealership and Mercedes refused to fix the problem.
Moreover, the 2016 Fortwo also struggled with electrical problems. Another owner reported that the key got stuck in the switch due to a poorly designed shifter. A coffee spill reportedly damaged the shifter; the estimated repair cost was $1,100. Another person reported that while driving at various speeds, the air conditioning failed to function by blowing hot air.
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