Major Problems with Smart fortwo Derived from Complaints & Recalls

Learn about the common problems with a used Smart fortwo to avoid purchasing a bad year of the model.

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Best and Worst Years for Smart fortwo

Explore the chart showing how many complaints have been filed for each year of Smart fortwo.

Model Year	Complaints
2017 fortwo	4
2016 fortwo	11
2015 fortwo	2
2014 fortwo	8
2013 fortwo	17
2012 fortwo	7
2011 fortwo	15
2010 fortwo	6
2009 fortwo	83
2008 fortwo	120

Worst 3 Smart fortwo complaints

2008 Smart fortwo POWER TRAIN Victims: 2 Mileage: 60000 miles

2008 Smart fortwo POWER TRAIN Victims: 2 Mileage: 71300 miles

2008 Smart fortwo POWER TRAIN Victims: 2 Mileage: 71350 miles

Browse Smart fortwo complaints by category

Problems with ENGINE, POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM are the most frequent issues recorded by the NHTSA from Smart fortwo owners.

Problem Category	Number of Problems
ENGINE while driving at a steady speed of 40mph the vehicle suddenly lost power. you could hear that the cylinders and...	63 ~ 38585 miles
POWER TRAIN loud clanking noise while driving. was diagnosed as faulty condenser fan and lose bolts/screws which hold it in place. mercedes-benz...	52 ~ 38673 miles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2014 smart fortwo. while driving 20 mph the electrical system failed. the contact coasted the...	45 ~ 37586 miles
UNKNOWN OR OTHER on friday february 16th when trying to start my 2013 smart fortwo brabus the lights on the dashboard started flicking...	37 ~ 33577 miles
SEAT BELTS my seat belt shoulder strap rides on my neck....	25 ~ 29979 miles
BODY > STRUCTURE in compliance with my 2013 smart fortwo vehicle owner's manual i washed my vehicle in an automatic car wash located...	18 ~ 46848 miles
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM the car broke down on exit 231 b in virginia. the smart had a gas tank defect. i was nearly	17 ~ 34404 miles
AIR BAGS red light with seat with a red dot came on while i was driving. i stopped the car and looked...	11 ~ 39984 miles
SERVICE BRAKES the "brake malf" light went on as i was driving down hill coming home from work. i pulled to a...	10 ~ 30580 miles
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING after getting home from school coming in saying hello to the family i went back out to my car to...	9 ~ 18251 miles
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION > POWER TRAIN my car's shifter is stuck in park. i cannot shift to n (neutral) d (drive) or r (reverse). this effectively	9 ~ 16438 miles
WHEELS local street. ran over a ~4 inch bolt in roadway. punctured tire but then the bolt knocked 4 holes in...	6 ~ 34950 miles
TIRES kuhmo tire went flat after only 13 000 miles dealer recommends all tires be replaced. i drove cars when they	5 ~ 18300 miles
VISIBILITY/WIPER in compliance with my 2013 smart fortwo vehicle owner's manual i washed my vehicle in an automatic car wash located...	5 ~ 23167 miles
SUSPENSION loud clanking noise while driving. was diagnosed as faulty condenser fan and lose bolts/screws which hold it in place. mercedes-benz...	4 ~ 25348 miles
EXTERIOR LIGHTING electrical fuses tend to cause electrical shorts with a/c coming on and off at any given time often when i...	4 ~ 63334 miles
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL tl* the contact owns a 2013 smart fortwo. the contact stated that the motor hesitated and the accelerator pedal was...	4 ~ 33500 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE smart car repeatedly cuts engine power during acceleration. *tr...	4 ~ 6913 miles
SEATS the 2013 smart fortwo pure edition (base model) seat belt restraint system malfunctions. when the driver leans forward to look...	3 ~ 29566 miles
ROOF AND PILLARS > BODY > STRUCTURE the polycarbonate roof has crazing or spiderwebbing throughout. this is only noticeable when the sun is out. i fear the...	3 ~ 37167 miles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC i have a 2009 smart for two passion model on 7/21 i went to go into a parking place at...	3 ~ 14762 miles
STEERING tl*the contact owns a 2008 smart car fortwo. while driving 45 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle suddenly began...	3 ~ 14000 miles
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM at 45 mph the abs light and the traction control light turn on. this deactivates both the abs and traction...	2 ~ 27000 miles
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY i bought a kit to tow a smart car with my rv. there are 2 brackets that after installation they...	2 ~ 14825 miles
LATCH > HOOD > LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo coupe. the contact stated that while driving in heavy winds the hood...	2 ~ 31712 miles
AIR CONDITIONER > APPLIANCE > EQUIPMENT from reviewing the smartusa website and other forums online i have seen exactly what issue i am seeing. it seems...	2 ~ 11967 miles
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES i purchased a smart passion on about september 19 2008. when i went for a test drive with the sales...	2 ~ 3750 miles
VISIBILITY 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...	2 ~ 33940 miles
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL tl* the contact owned a 2009 smart fortwo. the contact's friend was driving his vehicle at 60 mph when he...	1 ~ 52000 miles
EMISSION CONTROL > EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 18v273000 (engine and engine...	1
FAN/MOTOR > DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY tl* the contact owns a 2010 smart fortwo. while driving at any speed the blower motor did not work and...	1 ~ 30000 miles
ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR > ELECTRICAL SYSTEM tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. while driving approximately 35 mph the anti-lock brake indicator illuminated. in addition...	1 ~ 139000 miles
ABS WARNING LIGHT > ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP > SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. while driving approximately 35 mph the anti-lock brake indicator illuminated. in addition...	1 ~ 139000 miles
DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM > VISIBILITY tl* the contact was leasing a 2016 smart fortwo. while driving various speeds the air conditioner failed to function and...	1 ~ 13333 miles
EXHAUST SYSTEM > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING tl* the contact owns a 2016 smart fortwo. after stopping the vehicle the contact noticed an abnormal odor and observed...	1 ~ 400 miles
FLASHER UNIT > TURN SIGNAL > EXTERIOR LIGHTING tl* the contact owns a 2012 smart fortwo. while driving various speeds the front turn signal indicators failed to illuminate....	1 ~ 20000 miles
TAILGATE > BODY > STRUCTURE while a body panel was being replaced on a 2009 smart fortwo passion the mechanic discovered that unbeknownst to the...	1 ~ 41000 miles
WINCH > MECHANICAL > EQUIPMENT i bought a kit to tow a smart car with my rv. there are 2 brackets that after installation they...	1
WINDSHIELD > VISIBILITY 1st month of ownership noticed what i thought was a pine needle on drivers side of windshield. tried to remove...	1 ~ 800 miles
BUCKLE ASSEMBLY > FRONT > SEAT BELTS tl* the contact owns a 2008 smart fortwo. the contact stated the drivers side seat belt does not latch. the...	1 ~ 51424 miles
RETRACTOR > FRONT > SEAT BELTS tl* the contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. the contact stated that the air bag warning indicator illuminated. the dealer...	1 ~ 14724 miles
STRUCTURE the plastic composite material that makes up the clear roof panel on smart fortwo passion models has been known to...	1 ~ 17500 miles
ENGINE > ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING engine stops after making a harsh left turn- such as in a u-turn. checked for physical touching of inserted key	1 ~ 23500 miles
PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS > TIRES valve stem on 2008 smart fortwo tpms (tire pressure monitoring system) is made of aluminum and corrodes due to salt....	1 ~ 15000 miles
LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS > WHEELS 2008 smart with unresolved computer control problems. *kb the consumer stated the first issue involved a warning chime that activated...	1

FAQ

What year Smart fortwo is the most reliable?

Speaking of the models produced in the last 10 years, Smart fortwo models of 2015, 2017, 2010 year of manufacture have had the least number of complaints.

What year was a bad year for Smart fortwo?

Smart fortwo models of 2008 and 2009 are probably the years to be avoided like the plague due to a higher than an average number of issues reported.

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