Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Smart Fortwo
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Smart Fortwo has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 20 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #17V448000 Parking Brake Cable may Loosen NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine 7 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).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$9,500AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Smart FORTWO has multiple complaints, especially in the fuel and propulsion system, engine, and electrical system. These issues suggest reliability concerns that contribute to a below-average overall rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| fuel system | 30,000–60,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| engine components | 40,000–70,000 miles | $800–$2,500 | common |
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $400–$1,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake pad replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Battery replacement
- Air filter replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Check engine light issues
- Frequent stalling or idling
- Electric malfunction warnings
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Smart Fortwo at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.