AI Damage2010 Smart Fortwo: common problems
Owners of the 2010 Smart Fortwo filed 6 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 50% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 17% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 17% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 17% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 17% of all complaints
- Engine: 3 complaints (50% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (17% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (17% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1 L · petrol · 3 cyl
- dual-clutch (DCT), 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 6 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When stopped the engine in the back caught fire, my vehicle burned to the ground, there were recalls for this the year before, (for the 2009 smart car) there are videos documnting this on you tube. My brother who worked for mercedes (the parent company of smart) as a mechanic told me to see if there were any recalls.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 smart fortwo. While driving at any speed, the blower motor did not work and caused the windshield to fog up. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact called smart center albuquerque at [phone] (located at [address] ne, albuquerque, [ZIP]), but was unable to reach anyone.
I believe the smart for two radiator fan assembly is: first, defective in design because replacement requires the complete removal of the car front end fascia, the bumper, the wipers and wiper cowl, the front sub frame, and the complete removal of both the air conditioning assembly (including recovery of refrigerant &…
While driving approximately 7 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and it resumed normal operation. The failure occurred four times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 37,900.
My car was in park and I could not move the gear shift to drive. I am trying to sell the car. Someone bought the car yesterday and I am worried they will want to bring the car back to me.
Smart car repeatedly cuts engine power during acceleration.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,278 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 36% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fortwo has 27 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 6, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Smart Fortwo?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, fuel system. Total complaints: 6. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (17%), smoke, burning smell, fire (17%), stalls while driving (17%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2010 Smart Fortwo?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2010 Smart Fortwo from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
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 2026-11-05.