AI DamageSmart Fortwo: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Smart Fortwo across 4 model years: 9 owner complaints and 28 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 44% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 22% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 22% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 11% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 7 Visibility 11% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 11% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (44% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Steering: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 0.9 L · petrol · turbo · 3 cyl 2016–2017
- 1 L · petrol · 3 cyl 2008–2015
- electric 2011–2019
- automatic, 1-speed 2011–2019
- automatic, 5-speed 2008
- dual-clutch (DCT), 5-speed 2009–2015
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed 2016–2017
- manual, 5-speed 2016–2017
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 | 20 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The Power Electronics Control Unit (ECM), Part No. A453-900-72-11, and the DC-to-DC converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. There is no backup propulsion system.
makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk?
The car won't charge over 20% due probably a faulty manufacturer part of N83 high voltage control box. This could cause very serious electrical/battery issues if the high voltage box is faulty.
Seat belts do not retract. There were couple of times while in transit on city road, I had to apply brake suddenly and seat belt fail to engage to hold the passenger back .
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart for two. While the vehicle was in reverse, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The rear exterior lighting and rear wiper warning indicator illuminated.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart fortwo. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v447000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
- Complaint Noises in the steering column area when steering. See example file in the attachments area
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain…
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain…
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the…
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.