2016 smart Fortwo Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2016 smart Fortwo, and owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2016 smart Fortwo
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Parking brake
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.
21 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2016 smart Fortwo have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA; 5 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 16,517 miles. Complaints peaked in 2016 with 5 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I have had it for 6 years. And it has been in for repair, at least 7 times in those somewhere around one time per year. Sometimes twice. All for heating 3 times same piece not sure what to do but it a”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 9, 2026 · Engine
“Car shuts down while driving. This happens usually after quick stops or sudden starts like at a red light or when a car suddenly stops on front of me. I have had this issue happen to me several times.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 4, 2024 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2016 smart fortwo (fortwo coupe, fortwo electric drive convertible, fortwo electric drive coupe). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 34–107 MPGe |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 31–122 / 39–93 |
| Fuel | Electricity, Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 3 cyl, 0.9 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (A1); Automatic (AM6); Manual 5-spd |
Compare smart Fortwo model years
Recall and complaint counts for every smart Fortwo model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 smart Fortwo | 0 | 2 |
| 2008 smart Fortwo | 2 | 140 |
| 2009 smart Fortwo | 1 | 100 |
| 2010 smart Fortwo | 0 | 6 |
| 2011 smart Fortwo | 0 | 16 |
| 2012 smart Fortwo | 0 | 8 |
| 2013 smart Fortwo | 0 | 25 |
| 2014 smart Fortwo | 0 | 13 |
| 2015 smart Fortwo | 0 | 6 |
| 2016 smart Fortwo | 1 | 21 |
| 2017 smart Fortwo | 1 | 7 |
| 2018 smart Fortwo | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 smart Fortwo | 1 | 1 |
Checking a specific 2016 smart Fortwo
How do I know if my 2016 smart Fortwo has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2016 smart Fortwo; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised smart dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 17V448000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other smart models
- Fortwo Cabrio28 complaints
- Fortwo Coupe23 complaints
- Fortwo Coupe Electric7 complaints
- Fortwo Cabriolet2 complaints
- Fortwo Convertible Electr1 complaints
- Fortwo Convertible0 complaints
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.