FaultScore

Suzuki Esteem vs Smart Fortwo

Both cars' complete complaint records, side by side.

Read the totals carefully. NHTSA publishes no sales figures, so the car that sold more collects more complaints regardless of quality. The rows worth weighing are the proportions — the share of complaints that involved harm, and which part dominates.

Measure Suzuki Esteem Smart Fortwo
Complaints on file 191 475
Model years covered 1995–2002 2005–2019
Worst model year 1998 2008
Best model year 1997 2017
Crashes reported 27 28
Fires reported 1 68
Injuries reported 11 22
Deaths reported 0 1
Most complained-about part Body & Structure Engine & Cooling
Share of complaints involving harm 20.4% 25.1%

Suzuki Esteem by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Body & Structure 36 18.8%
Brakes 27 14.1%
Suspension 26 13.6%
Engine & Cooling 16 8.4%
Airbags 13 6.8%
Transmission & Drivetrain 9 4.7%
Electrical System 8 4.2%
Fuel & Propulsion 8 4.2%

Smart Fortwo by year

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks

Engine & Cooling 106 22.3%
Seat Belts 35 7.4%
Brakes 20 4.2%