RecallMyCar

smart Fortwo Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 346 owner complaints across 13 model years of the smart Fortwo (2005–2019). The most-complained-about year is 2008.

5
safety recalls, all years
346
owner complaints, all years
2008
year with most recalls
2008
year with most complaints

Pick your smart Fortwo model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2019 smart Fortwo11
2018 smart Fortwo01
2017 smart Fortwo17
2016 smart Fortwo121
2015 smart Fortwo06
2014 smart Fortwo013
2013 smart Fortwo025
2012 smart Fortwo08
2011 smart Fortwo016
2010 smart Fortwo06
2009 smart Fortwo1100
2008 smart Fortwo2140
2005 smart Fortwo02

What smart Fortwo owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 346 complaints with NHTSA. The 2008 model year has the most, with 140.

All smart Fortwo recalls (5)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a smart Fortwo, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Traction battery (electrical system) and 12v/24v/48v battery (electrical system)

    NHTSA 20V107000 Reported 1 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling one 2019 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive vehicle. A welded joint within the high-voltage battery main cell conductors may detach and interrupt electrical contact, resulting in sudden battery failure. The detached weld may also cause an electrical arc which can ignite inside the battery cells.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace the high-voltage battery, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall…

    Model years: 2019

  2. Exhaust system (engine and engine cooling) and engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 18V273000 Reported 42,781 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's…

    Model years: 2008, 2009

  3. Parking brake

    NHTSA 17V448000 Reported 5,061 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in increased parking brake lever travel before the parking brake engages.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

    Model years: 2016

  4. Steering

    NHTSA 17V447000 Reported 110 vehicles potentially affected Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

    Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.

    Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle steering knuckle, replacing any from the affected batch, free of charge. The recall October 13, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at…

    Model years: 2017

  5. Frame and members (structure)

    NHTSA 08V390000 Reported 43 vehicles potentially affected SMART USA DISTRIBUTOR LLC

    Smart USA is recalling 43 my 2008 fortwo 451 vehicles. A single batch of paint sent to the company did not meet specifications. A re-work was done in the plant using different formulations of painting materials. After the re-work was completed, it was determined that the combination of materials used to repaint the frame and chassis…

    Remedy: Dealers will repaint the affected areas to meet specifications. The recall began on august 18, 2008. Owners may contact smart USA at 1-248-648-2451.

    Model years: 2008

Other smart models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.