Smart Fortwo Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Smart Fortwo model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2018 drew the fewest (1) and the 2008 the most (160).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 0 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
1 | 1 | Electrical system | — | — |
| 2005 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2010 | 6 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | — |
| 2012 | 8 | 0 | Air bags | — | — |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | Unknown or other | — | — |
| 2014 | 13 | 1 | Engine | — | — |
| 2011 | 16 | 0 | Engine | — | — |
| 2016 | 22 | 2 | Engine | — | — |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
25 | 0 | Seat belts | — | — |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
100 | 1 | Power train | — | — |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
160 | 2 | Power train | — | — |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Smart Fortwo years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2008 Smart Fortwo: 160 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 39 (24%); Engine 34 (21%); Electrical system 21 (13%).
Reports mention 7 crashes, 28 fires, 10 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 39,457 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Smart Fortwo: 100 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 27 (27%); Engine 19 (19%); Electrical system 14 (14%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 11 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 38,500 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2013 Smart Fortwo: 25 complaints
Most-reported: Seat belts 7 (28%); Engine 6 (24%); Power train 5 (20%).
Reports mention 3 fires. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 13,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
The Smart Fortwo years with the fewest complaints
2005 Smart Fortwo: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 1 (50%); Engine and engine cooling 1 (50%); Fuel system 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Smart Fortwo owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5,300 |
| 2015 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 25 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13,000 |
| 2012 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 32,000 |
| 2010 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 100 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 38,500 |
| 2008 | 160 | 7 | 28 | 10 | 1 | 39,457 |
| 2005 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Smart Fortwo recalls
- Insulation Mat may Deform and cause Fire (2008–2009 model years; 42,781 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2018; 18V273000)
- Parking Brake Cable may Loosen (2016 model year; 5,061 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2017; 17V448000)
- Steering Gear Mounting Bolts May Break (2014–2015 model years; 5,058 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2015; 15V192000)
- Missing Headlight Adjustment Cap/FMVSS 108 (2016 model year; 2,213 vehicles across all models; filed Mar 2017; 17V179000)
- Left Front Axle Steering Knuckle may Fail (2017 model year; 110 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2017; 17V447000)
All 7 Smart Fortwo recall campaigns · Smart Fortwo problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Smart Fortwo years FAQ
Which Smart Fortwo year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2018 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (1). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Smart Fortwo years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2008, 2009 and 2013 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Smart Fortwo problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (83 of 369 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Smart Fortwo have?
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns covering the Smart Fortwo. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Smart Fortwo recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.