Owners have filed 23 complaints
about the 2011 Smart Fortwo with NHTSA between 2012 and 2023.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 9 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 22
Against the median year of the Smart Fortwo. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
21.7% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 100
67% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2011 Smart Fortwo
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
521.7%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 27,200 mi
Seat Belts
417.4%
Median failure at 64,000 miles
Electrical System
417.4%
Median failure at 28,500 miles
Brakes
28.7%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 14,850 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
28.7%
Median failure at 24,964 miles
Other & Unspecified
14.3%
Median failure at 10,004 miles
Tires
14.3%
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
14.3%
Median failure at 32,000 miles
Fuel & Propulsion
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 54,000 mi
Acceleration & Cruise Control
14.3%
1 crashes, 0 fires · median 2,500 mi
Body & Structure
14.3%
Median failure at 15,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
29.5%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
628.6%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
733.3%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
523.8%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
14.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2012peak 3Jan 2023
NHTSA investigations into the 2011 Smart Fortwo
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP22005Opened 27 Jan 2023Closed 7 Aug 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc...
Complaints that involved harm
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 51,000 milesDublin, CAFire
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND IN THE NUMBER 1 LANE OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 24 ABOUT 1/4 MILE BEFORE THE TUNNEL ROAD EXIT. I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE ARE OF THE CAR, LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, AND EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AT THE TUNNEL ROAD EXIT AND STALLED ON THE OFF RAMP. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TWICE BY TURNING THE KEY. I SAW SMOKE IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 AND GAVE THE DISPATCH OPERATOR MY LOCATION. BY THE TIME THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ATTACHED PHOTOS TELL THE STORY OF THE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10981144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesNewport News, VACrash2 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON EXIT 231 B IN VIRGINIA. THE SMART HAD A GAS TANK DEFECT. I WAS NEARLY KILLED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TYSINGER MOTORS IN VIRGINIA MULTIPLE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10914887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesDana Point, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CAR. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE INTO OTHER STOPPED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10458246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesDana Point, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CAR. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE INTO OTHER STOPPED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10458246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Thermal, CA
TIRES
175 55 r15 Tge tires wires startes to unravelling and chabgibg the ahape of tge tire.
NHTSA complaint #11500754 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 84,000 milesGlen Burnie, MD
SEAT BELTS
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT LATCH HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN 2 YEARS. THE MALE END CAN NOT BE INSERTED INTO THE FEMALE END.
NHTSA complaint #11143407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesHouston, TX
SEAT BELTS
THE METAL SEAT BELT CONNECTOR FRAYED IN TO TWO PIECES. REPLACED WITH OEM PART. IT FRAYED AGAIN. IT'S A 2011 DRIVEN BY A 75 YR.OLD SENIOR CITIZEN. MERCEDES ACCUSED OWNER OF MALICIOUSLY CUTTING CABLE. EXTREME SAFETY HAZZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11115029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 64,000 milesHouston, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE METAL SEAT BELT CONNECTOR FRAYED IN TO TWO PIECES. REPLACED WITH OEM PART. IT FRAYED AGAIN. IT'S A 2011 DRIVEN BY A 75 YR.OLD SENIOR CITIZEN. MERCEDES ACCUSED OWNER OF MALICIOUSLY CUTTING CABLE. EXTREME SAFETY HAZZARD.
NHTSA complaint #11115029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Glenview, IL
SEAT BELTS
SAFE BELT BUCKLE JAMMED OR CAN'T CLICK
NHTSA complaint #11020473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 51,000 milesDublin, CAFire
ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND IN THE NUMBER 1 LANE OF CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY 24 ABOUT 1/4 MILE BEFORE THE TUNNEL ROAD EXIT. I HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE ARE OF THE CAR, LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD ILLUMINATED, AND EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I PULLED OFF OF THE HIGHWAY AT THE TUNNEL ROAD EXIT AND STALLED ON THE OFF RAMP. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE ENGINE TWICE BY TURNING THE KEY. I SAW SMOKE IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR, EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. I CALLED 911 AND GAVE THE DISPATCH OPERATOR MY LOCATION. BY THE TIME THE HIGHWAY PATROL AND LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED, MY CAR WAS TOTALED. THE ATTACHED PHOTOS TELL THE STORY OF THE DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #10981144 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 54,000 milesNewport News, VACrash2 injured
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
THE CAR BROKE DOWN ON EXIT 231 B IN VIRGINIA. THE SMART HAD A GAS TANK DEFECT. I WAS NEARLY KILLED. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO TYSINGER MOTORS IN VIRGINIA MULTIPLE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10914887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,004 milesHomestead, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
AFTER ONLY 10.000 MILES THE ENGINE MOUNTS ALL GO BAD!
NHTSA complaint #10910436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSicklerville, NJ
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE PANORAMIC ROOF IS CRAZING! IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE THE GLASS CAN SHATTERED ON TOP OF MY HEAD AT ANY GIVING MOMENT! WHEN IT'S RAINING OR WASHING THE CAR AT THE CARWASH THE ROOF IS ALSO LEAKING. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE SMART CAR PASSION MODEL! A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT IT!
NHTSA complaint #10906862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,200 milesGlen Burnie, MD
SEAT BELTS
MY WIFE WAS DEPARTING WITH THE CAR AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO INSERT THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE AND IT WOULD NOT INSERT. I CALLED THE MERCEDES DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS A COMMON FAILURE BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10717770 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 36,200 milesDayton, OH
ENGINE
2011 SMART FORTWO COUPE. RUNNING ROUGH AND SHOWING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH OBD CODE P0302. MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP FOUND MISFIRE ON CYLINDER #2. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND CYLINDER #2 LEAKING 75%. REMOVED AND REPLACED CYLINDER HEAD WITH A NEW CYLINDER HEAD AS A "GOODWILL REPAIR." THIS PARTICULAR MERCEDES-BENZ DEALER HAS DONE 14 OF THESE REPAIRS TO DATE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A NUMBER OF THE MITSUBISHI ENGINES USED IN THE CURRENT MODEL SMART FORTWO.
NHTSA complaint #10714370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 23,500 milesMadison, CT
ENGINE
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. NO APPARENT REASON. CAR DROVE OK BROUGHT TO MB DEALER. THEY RUN DIAGNOSTIC. NOTED THAT CYLINDER 3 MISFIRED AT SOME POINT, BUT EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW. CAR WAS IN WARRANTY THEN. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. CAR WAS RIDING ROUGH TEMPORARILY. THEN IT WAS OK AND THE LIGHT WENT OFF. LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AROUND 35000 MILES. BROUGHT TO DEALER AGAIN. CAR WAS DRIVING FINE AT THAT POINT. THERE WAS SOME OCCASIONAL HESITATION IN SHIFTING. WAS INFORMED THAT CYLINDER 3 WAS NOT SEATED PROPERLY AND MISFIRING. I WOULD NEED A CYLINDER HEAD REPLACED COSTING ABOUT $7000. AT THIS POINT WARRANTY EXPIRED. AFTER THE CHECK WAS PERFORMED THE CAR WAS IN WORST CONDITION AND COULD NOT BE DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10555017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,200 milesAtlanta, GA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT CYLINDER THREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,300.
NHTSA complaint #10509372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,200 milesAtlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT CYLINDER THREE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE STOP LAMP SWITCH; HOWEVER, THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 28,300.
NHTSA complaint #10509372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesCarolina, PR
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR DOES NOT PULL OUT OF PARKING AND DOES NOT TAKE GEARS. IT HAS GONE 4 TIMES WITH THE SAME ISSUES TO THE DEALER TO LEAVE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A LAST RESORT THEY TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION 4,000.00 AND NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIX. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THIS IS ABUSIVE. AND I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT MY CREDIT AFFECTED BUT THESE CARS ARE NO GOOD. NOT EVEN THE DEALER KNOWS HOW TO FIX THEM. AND SMART USA SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THEIR OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS THE 5 TIME MY CAR HAS NOT LEFT THE DEALER FOR 4 AND HALF MONTH WITH DIFFERENT TEST EACH MONTH IS FIX AND WHEN I GO OUT AND RUN IT BY THE END OF THE BLOCK I HAVE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER AND LEAVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10504116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 25,000 milesCarolina, PR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE CAR DOES NOT PULL OUT OF PARKING AND DOES NOT TAKE GEARS. IT HAS GONE 4 TIMES WITH THE SAME ISSUES TO THE DEALER TO LEAVE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AS A LAST RESORT THEY TOLD ME TO CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION 4,000.00 AND NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIX. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THIS IS ABUSIVE. AND I HAVE NO ONE TO HELP BECAUSE I DO NOT WANT MY CREDIT AFFECTED BUT THESE CARS ARE NO GOOD. NOT EVEN THE DEALER KNOWS HOW TO FIX THEM. AND SMART USA SAYS NOTHING CAN BE DONE BECAUSE THEIR OUT OF WARRANTY. BUT MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THIS IS THE 5 TIME MY CAR HAS NOT LEFT THE DEALER FOR 4 AND HALF MONTH WITH DIFFERENT TEST EACH MONTH IS FIX AND WHEN I GO OUT AND RUN IT BY THE END OF THE BLOCK I HAVE TO RETURN TO THE DEALER AND LEAVE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10504116 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesLeicester, NC
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HEATER BLOWER SQUEAKS AND STOPS RUNNING CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AND DISCOMFORT. POTENTIAL DANGER DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THESE CARS IN THE USA SO PLEASE CONSIDER THIS WHEN LOOKING AT NUMBER OF REPORTED ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10487276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 32,000 milesLeicester, NC
VISIBILITY/WIPER
HEATER BLOWER SQUEAKS AND STOPS RUNNING CAUSING VISIBILITY ISSUES AND DISCOMFORT. POTENTIAL DANGER DUE TO LOSS OF VISIBILITY. THERE ARE VERY FEW OF THESE CARS IN THE USA SO PLEASE CONSIDER THIS WHEN LOOKING AT NUMBER OF REPORTED ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10487276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,928 milesVilla Rica, GA
POWER TRAIN
THIS CAR IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, ONLY 24,928 MILES ON IT. IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE SMART DEALERSHIP OF BUCKHEAD, GA AND THEY TOLD ME TO TRY TO "RE-TRAIN" IT BY TURNING IT ON PART WAY 3 TIMES WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN IT WOULD SHIFT. NOPE. I CALLED THEM BACK UP AND THEY SAID THAT I WAS OVER MY 24,000 MILE WARRANTY (EVEN IF ONLY BY 928 MILES WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS WORTH OF DRIVING FOR ME) AND BECAUSE I DID MY OIL CHANGES SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY WON'T DO THIS AS WARRANTY WORK. (EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I HAD THE RECORDS!) HOW CAN A TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHIN 24,000 MILES! I AM VERY UPSET I EVER BOUGHT A SMART CAR FROM THESE PEOPLE. WHO WOULD ALLOW THIS TYPE OF "QUALITY" OUT THERE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED! AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES I'VE HAD WITH THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE A DODGE RAM THAT'S 8 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM! BAD SMART CAR PEOPLE!
NHTSA complaint #10475775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,928 milesVilla Rica, GA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THIS CAR IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, ONLY 24,928 MILES ON IT. IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE SMART DEALERSHIP OF BUCKHEAD, GA AND THEY TOLD ME TO TRY TO "RE-TRAIN" IT BY TURNING IT ON PART WAY 3 TIMES WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN IT WOULD SHIFT. NOPE. I CALLED THEM BACK UP AND THEY SAID THAT I WAS OVER MY 24,000 MILE WARRANTY (EVEN IF ONLY BY 928 MILES WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS WORTH OF DRIVING FOR ME) AND BECAUSE I DID MY OIL CHANGES SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY WON'T DO THIS AS WARRANTY WORK. (EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I HAD THE RECORDS!) HOW CAN A TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHIN 24,000 MILES! I AM VERY UPSET I EVER BOUGHT A SMART CAR FROM THESE PEOPLE. WHO WOULD ALLOW THIS TYPE OF "QUALITY" OUT THERE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED! AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES I'VE HAD WITH THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE A DODGE RAM THAT'S 8 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM! BAD SMART CAR PEOPLE!
NHTSA complaint #10475775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,928 milesVilla Rica, GA
ENGINE
THIS CAR IS JUST OVER A YEAR OLD, ONLY 24,928 MILES ON IT. IT WILL NOT COME OUT OF PARK. I CALLED THE SMART DEALERSHIP OF BUCKHEAD, GA AND THEY TOLD ME TO TRY TO "RE-TRAIN" IT BY TURNING IT ON PART WAY 3 TIMES WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THEN IT WOULD SHIFT. NOPE. I CALLED THEM BACK UP AND THEY SAID THAT I WAS OVER MY 24,000 MILE WARRANTY (EVEN IF ONLY BY 928 MILES WHICH IS LESS THAN 2 WEEKS WORTH OF DRIVING FOR ME) AND BECAUSE I DID MY OIL CHANGES SOMEWHERE ELSE THEY WON'T DO THIS AS WARRANTY WORK. (EVEN THOUGH I TOLD THEM I HAD THE RECORDS!) HOW CAN A TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHIN 24,000 MILES! I AM VERY UPSET I EVER BOUGHT A SMART CAR FROM THESE PEOPLE. WHO WOULD ALLOW THIS TYPE OF "QUALITY" OUT THERE. THIS IS THE WORST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED! AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO TELL EVERYONE ABOUT ALL THE ISSUES I'VE HAD WITH THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE. I HAVE A DODGE RAM THAT'S 8 YEARS OLD AND HAS NEVER HAD A PROBLEM! BAD SMART CAR PEOPLE!
NHTSA complaint #10475775 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesDana Point, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CAR. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE INTO OTHER STOPPED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10458246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 2,500 milesDana Point, CACrash
SERVICE BRAKES
STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT BEHIND OTHER CAR. VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE INTO OTHER STOPPED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10458246 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.