AI Damage2017 Smart Fortwo: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Smart Fortwo filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and powertrain. The maker issued 25 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 25
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 44% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 22% of all complaints
- 3 Seat belts 22% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 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: 6.
- Powertrain: 2 complaints (22% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Seat belts: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Steering: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
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
- electric
- automatic, 1-speed
- dual-clutch (DCT), 6-speed
- manual, 5-speed
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 | 6 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 1 |
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.
Passenger seat belt stop securing the buckle no apparent reason
The car has a intermittent problem with shifting into reverse. When shifted the transmission lever to the reverse position the shift indicator on the information center will show blank and a high pitch beeping sound will be heard.
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 1,524 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 27% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Fortwo has 2 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
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.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
Cause Under analysis. Remedy To narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • If the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and…
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE
Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. Cause Although the cause of the vibration…
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
The noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. Note: Sound file in attachment Cause If the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar nut (by 1 turn), the…
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance
A: Wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering B: The windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) C: During the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the A-pillar (Figure 1) D: After…
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain…
Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year (“MY”) vehicles listed below, an activation of the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (“MIL”) may occur due to…
- 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 satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (“MBUSA”) hereby notifies you of additional benefits…
- 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 satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz USA (“MBUSA”) is extending the coverage for the change-over valve on…
- 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 satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles is extending…
- 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 satisfaction of our customers, Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of the Mercedes-Benz vehicles is…
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in…
- Complaint The following symptoms with electrical range
• Displayed electrical range is implausible for charging process (SOC) . • Displayed electrical range reduces rapidly after short period of driving. • High-voltage battery can no longer charge. Cause The voltage…
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the…
Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse (and vice versa). Note: Sound file in…
NHTSA lists 25 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Smart Fortwo?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, powertrain, seat belts. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (22%), knocking, grinding or other noise (11%), warning lights, check engine (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Smart Fortwo?
NHTSA lists 25 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 2017 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 2017 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 2026-11-04.