NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Smart Fortwo Recalls & Complaints

The 2016 Smart Fortwo has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 20 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Smart dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Smart Fortwo. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2016 Smart Fortwo owner complaints

Owners have filed 20 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Smart Fortwo, describing incidents dated November 24, 2015 to January 18, 2024.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 8 complaints
  • Fuel/Propulsion System 7 complaints
  • Electrical System 5 complaints
  • Service Brakes 4 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 3 complaints
  • Steering 2 complaints

Of the 20 complaints on file, 5 report a crash and 2 a fire; across all 20 complaints, owners report 7 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11598820 · Filed

    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. I have tried contacting Mercedes-Benz and the dealership where I bought tge car but they do…

  • ODI #11585774 · Filed

    The contact owns a 2016 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated with a loud whirring noise. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake changeover valves had failed. The…

  • ODI #11517032 · Filed

    The car just shuts off while I am driving. I can tell now when it is about to shut off. I have had this problem since I purchased the car in 2016. I have taken the car to the dealership and called Mercedes Benz several times and they will not do anything. I will die because the car is getting worse…

Read all 20 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2016 Smart Fortwo in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Parking Brake Cable may Loosen

NHTSA #17V448000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice

Reported July 16, 2017 · Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

Potentially affected: 5,061 vehicles

Repair completion: 80.6% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 2017080009 · Owners notified September 20, 2017 · Vehicles built June 16, 2015 – August 12, 2016 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Smart Fortwo model years

Check your 2016 Smart Fortwo VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Smart Fortwo at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Smart VIN