Table 1 shows three common visibility related problems of the 2008 Smart Fortwo.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Wiper problems | |
| Blower problems | |
| Windshield problems |
The plastic composite material that makes up the clear roof panel on Smart Fortwo passion models has been known to "craze" or haze over with fine marks, that catch and reflect the sun. This makes the roof's material appear to wear down due to the sun's uv light. Owners that park their cars in garages have fewer symptoms, and adversely, those who always keep their car outside and exposed to sun see exasperated issues. There have been reports of the material warping due to wear and experiencing leaks around the edges. As the panel is not a sun roof, but instead the vehicle's roof itself, the problem is not cheap to repair. The material has been known to "craze" since the Smart Fortwo was updated in 2008, and as of 2012 the problem still exists.
Heater blower motor failure, random occurrence of failure to operate heat or defrost, fogging/freezing windows.
We have been driving my wife's 2008 Smart-for-two since approximately 2-month after purchase without rear-view mirror. The mounting (metal) tab that was glued to the inside of the windshield had came loose and we have been told by the dealer that they are trying to find out from the factory in what to do. Apparently this is a very common problem on the Smart-for-two. Is there a dot requirement to have rear-view mirror on all motor vehicle operating on us highways?.