AI Damage2014 Smart Fortwo: common problems
Owners of the 2014 Smart Fortwo filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and seat belts. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 13
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 31% of all complaints
- 2 Seat belts 31% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 8% of all complaints
- Engine: 4 complaints (31% of all).
- Seat belts: 4 complaints (31% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (8% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (8% 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
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 5-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 13 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 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
The cable attaching the seatbelt is frayed and only being held on by a few strands of cable. My research into the problem on forums and the internet has shown that this is an issue on the drivers side seatbelt for Smart Car.
The SRS light is on. Technician scanned vehicle and performed guided tests on drivers side seat airbag, found that HE airbag squib is faulty. This is an internal part of the airbag and airbag will need to be replaced.
Driverâs seatbelt broke at the tensioner as if the cable had been cut with wire cutters. My vehicle has not been involved in a wreck. Under normal driving conditions. Safety issue is if it broke this easily what wouldâve happened if I had been involved in an accident?
The contact was driving at 60 mph, when the vehicle lost power and the contact noticed white smoke coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and the tow truck driver informed the contact that the radiator had burst.
While the vehicle was stationary, the contact noticed an oil leak. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to euro motorcars germantown (located at [address], germantown, [ZIP], [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the driver's side gear box needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired.
I should not have to be paying an additional nearly $2,000 because bolts jiggled lose.I no longer feel secure in my car.now im driving in hot florida in the summer with no a/c because I cant afford this fix.
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 smart fortwo. While driving 20 mph, the electrical system failed. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed, but the technician could not find a failure. The vehicle was not repaired.
The shoulder portion of my seat belt rides on my neck. What is the remedy for this safety problem? Ref complaint #10722112 28may15.
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 9,843 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Fortwo has 27 complaints (13 years in the data). This year has 13, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Smart Fortwo?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, seat belts, air bags. Total complaints: 13. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (31%), loss of power / limp mode (15%), airbag warning light (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2014 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 2014 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.
Other 2014 models
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.