Reliability & cost of ownership
Smart Fortwo Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Smart Fortwo? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars where on file — then open the year you're shopping for its AI reliability outlook where NHTSA has enough data.
Smart Fortwo problems by model year
6 recall entries across 10 model years and 344 owner complaints across 13 model years on file, sourced from the federal NHTSA database. We couldn't confirm the NHTSA recall list for the remaining 3 model years — check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Fortwo | 1 | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2018 Fortwo | 0 | 1 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2017 Fortwo | 1 | 7 | 4.0 | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2016 Fortwo | 1 | 20 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2015 Fortwo | Not confirmed | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2014 Fortwo | Not confirmed | 13 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2013 Fortwo | 0 | 24 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2012 Fortwo | 0 | 8 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2011 Fortwo | 0 | 16 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2010 Fortwo | 0 | 6 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
| 2009 Fortwo | 1 | 100 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2008 Fortwo | 2 | 140 | No overall rating on file | AI reliability outlook → |
| 2005 Fortwo | Not confirmed | 2 | No overall rating on file | Recalls & complaints → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Smart Fortwo, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- engine81 complaints
- power train71 complaints
- electrical system57 complaints
- unknown or other44 complaints
- seat belts33 complaints
- fuel/propulsion system25 complaints
- structure25 complaints
- engine and engine cooling23 complaints