FaultScore
See all results →
All makes Worst years, ranked Problems by part Problems by model year Recalls in Canada Compare two cars How we grade

FaultScore report

2014 Smart Fortwo problems

Owners have filed 14 complaints about the 2014 Smart Fortwo with NHTSA between 2014 and 2023. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 8 of 9 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Smart Fortwo All 2014 cars
B

FaultScore 38/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Smart Fortwo.

How this is worked out

The numbers

14

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

6,178 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

90%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

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.

Complaint volume 14 vs 50 Severity 37 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 14
Against the median year of the Smart Fortwo. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 37
7.1% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
90% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2014 compares with every other Smart Fortwo

Click any bar to open that year's report.

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

What breaks on a 2014 Smart Fortwo

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Seat Belts 4 28.6%

Median failure at 2,550 miles

Engine & Cooling 4 28.6%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 13,833 mi

Wheels 1 7.1%

Median failure at 6,200 miles

Suspension 1 7.1%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

Brakes 1 7.1%
Airbags 1 7.1%
Electrical System 1 7.1%

Median failure at 6,157 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 7.1%

Median failure at 30,000 miles

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 10.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 5 50.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 30.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 10.0%

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 2014 peak 2 Aug 2023

NHTSA investigations into the 2014 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.

DP22005 Opened 27 Jan 2023 Closed 7 Aug 2023 ELECTRICAL 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...

Recalls on the 2014 Smart Fortwo

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2015135 1,278 units in Canada

Steering

On certain vehicles, bolts which connect the steering gear to the front cross member may break, which could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash resulting in injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace defective bolts.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

at 65,000 miles Dallas, TX Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR HAD BURST. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ DALLAS (6113 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209) OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS AN OVERHEATED ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11405076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Youngstown, OH

SEAT BELTS

The cable attaching the seatbelt is frayed and only being held on by a few strands of cable. My research into the problem on forums and the internet has shown that this is an issue on the drivers side seatbelt for Smart Car.

NHTSA complaint #11540919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brunswick, ME

AIR BAGS

The SRS light is on. Technician scanned vehicle and performed guided tests on drivers side seat airbag, found that HE airbag squib is faulty. This is an internal part of the airbag and airbag will need to be replaced.

NHTSA complaint #11501955 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Laguna Niguel, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

The brake booster malfunctioned while I was driving

NHTSA complaint #11497260 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Biloxi, MS

SEAT BELTS

Driver’s seatbelt broke at the tensioner as if the cable had been cut with wire cutters. My vehicle has not been involved in a wreck. Under normal driving conditions. Safety issue is if it broke this easily what would’ve happened if I had been involved in an accident? Of course I took the vehicle immediately to a repair shop and the cost to repair is $843.31. Of course the parts have to be ordered. This is a safety issue it’s a law issue you have to have a seatbelt it’s not like I can’t live without the seatbelt. All my research shows that several people have complained about the same incident happening to them I was not driving the vehicle at the time I had just stopped at a store got back in my car and the seatbelt was broken.

NHTSA complaint #11469708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Dallas, TX Fire

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RADIATOR HAD BURST. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED PARK PLACE MOTORCARS MERCEDES-BENZ DALLAS (6113 LEMMON AVE, DALLAS, TX 75209) OF THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE EXPERIENCED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AS AN OVERHEATED ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA complaint #11405076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 26,666 miles Purcellville, VA

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SMART FORTWO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EURO MOTORCARS GERMANTOWN (LOCATED AT 19750 GERMANTOWN RD, GERMANTOWN, MD 20874, (301) 601-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,666.

NHTSA complaint #11288478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Cape Coral, FL

POWER TRAIN

LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY CONDENSER FAN AND LOSE BOLTS/SCREWS WHICH HOLD IT IN PLACE. MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SAID WILL COST $1,700-$1,800 TO FIX! INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALED TO ME THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT/PROBLEM. I PAID ALMOST $7,000 FOR MY SMART FOR TWO PURE COUPE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE PAYING AN ADDITIONAL NEARLY $2,000 BECAUSE BOLTS JIGGLED LOSE.I NO LONGER FEEL SECURE IN MY CAR.NOW IM DRIVING IN HOT FLORIDA IN THE SUMMER WITH NO A/C BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD THIS FIX.

NHTSA complaint #11234271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Cape Coral, FL

SUSPENSION

LOUD CLANKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. WAS DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY CONDENSER FAN AND LOSE BOLTS/SCREWS WHICH HOLD IT IN PLACE. MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SAID WILL COST $1,700-$1,800 TO FIX! INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALED TO ME THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT/PROBLEM. I PAID ALMOST $7,000 FOR MY SMART FOR TWO PURE COUPE. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE PAYING AN ADDITIONAL NEARLY $2,000 BECAUSE BOLTS JIGGLED LOSE.I NO LONGER FEEL SECURE IN MY CAR.NOW IM DRIVING IN HOT FLORIDA IN THE SUMMER WITH NO A/C BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD THIS FIX.

NHTSA complaint #11234271 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,157 miles Surprise, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT FIND A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,157.

NHTSA complaint #10883432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,500 miles Vancouver, WA

SEAT BELTS

THE SHOULDER PORTION OF MY SEAT BELT RIDES ON MY NECK. WHAT IS THE REMEDY FOR THIS SAFETY PROBLEM? REF COMPLAINT #10722112 28MAY15.

NHTSA complaint #10723785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 2,600 miles Vancouver, WA

SEAT BELTS

MY SEAT BELT SHOULDER STRAP RIDES ON MY NECK.

NHTSA complaint #10722112 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 1,000 miles Oakland, CA

ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE KEY WOULD MOVE FROM THE RUN POSITION CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO ONE ANOTHER. THE CONTACT STATED MENTIONED THAT WHEN SWITCH FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, HIS FOOT WOULD GET CAUGHT UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA complaint #10680032 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,200 miles Manassas Park, VA

WHEELS

LOCAL STREET. RAN OVER A ~4 INCH BOLT IN ROADWAY. PUNCTURED TIRE, BUT THEN THE BOLT KNOCKED 4 HOLES IN THE WHEEL (RIM). I DO NOT CONSIDER A BOLT IN THE ROADWAY TO BE AN UNUSUAL HAZARD. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE WHEEL - TIRE COMBINATION IS SUITABLE FOR USE ON PUBLIC ROADS. I BELIEVE THAT THE WHEEL - TIRE COMBINATION PRESENTS AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY HAZARD FOR USERS OF THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10628051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 232 miles OAK Creek, WI

ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING AT A STEADY SPEED OF 40MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. YOU COULD HEAR THAT THE CYLINDERS AND PISTONS STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE HAD 2 GALLONS OF GAS. WE PUT IN 2 MORE GALLONS AT THE ADJACENT GAS STATION AND LIMPED HOME AT 30MPH. THE DEALERSHIP PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AT OUR HOME AND DROVE IT FROM MILWAUKEE TO CHICAGO WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE AND ALL 3 IGNITION COILS;COME AND PICK IT UP. ON OUR DRIVE HOME, GOING A STEADY UNINTERRUPTED 40 MPH (NO STOP SIGNS, OR STOP LIGHTS AT ALL) WE DROVE 28 MILES AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM MERCEDES. MERCEDES DECLINED, STATING THEY WOULD ACCEPT THE PROBLEM WHEN THE DEALERSHIP IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. AFTER 10 DAYS THE DEALERSHIP NOTIFIED US THAT THEY COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. WE WAITED THROUGH THE 30 BUSINESS DAY LEMON LAW PERIOD AND FILED FOR RELIEF.

NHTSA complaint #10588504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.