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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2005–2019

Smart Fortwo recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns and 346 owner complaints for the Smart Fortwo, covering model years 2005 to 2019. The 2008 model year drew the most complaints (140), and Engine is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Smart Fortwo VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 5 recall campaigns on file
  • 346 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 13 model years with data (2005–2019)
  • most complaints: 2008 (140 for that model year)
  • top component: Engine (82 complaints)
  • latest recall 20V107000 (reported Feb 24, 2020)
  • 20 complaints reporting a crash (5.8%)
  • 47 complaints reporting a fire (13.6%)
  • 16 complaints reporting an injury (4.6%)
  • 1 complaint reporting a death (0.3%)

Smart Fortwo complaints by model year

13 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2008 model year has the most complaints: 140 of 346, or 40.5%. Next come 2009 (100) and 2013 (25). The fewest are for 2019, with 1 complaint.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Smart Fortwo owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2005–2019Column chart of 346 complaints across 15 model years. The highest is 2008 with 140. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2005: 2 complaints220052006: 0 complaints20062007: 0 complaints20072008: 140 complaints14020082009: 100 complaints10020092010: 6 complaints620102011: 16 complaints1620112012: 8 complaints820122013: 25 complaints2520132014: 13 complaints1320142015: 6 complaints620152016: 21 complaints2120162017: 7 complaints720172018: 1 complaint120182019: 1 complaint12019
Show the figures for all 13 model years
Smart Fortwo complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Smart Fortwo complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
200520000
200814072761
200910031120
201060100
2011162110
201282020
2013250300
2014130100
201561110
2016215240
201770000
201810000
201910000
All model years3462047161

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Smart Fortwo components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Engine is the component named most often, in 82 complaints (23.7% of all 346), followed by Power Train (71) and Electrical System (57).

Components named most often in Smart Fortwo complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Smart Fortwo complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Engine8223.7%
Power Train7120.5%
Electrical System5716.5%
Unknown or Other4412.7%
Seat Belts349.8%
Fuel/Propulsion System257.2%
Structure257.2%
Engine and Engine Cooling236.6%
Air Bags164.6%
Service Brakes154.3%
Wheels92.6%
Steering82.3%
Tires82.3%
Suspension72.0%
Exterior Lighting61.7%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Smart Fortwo recalls

5 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Fortwo, newest first. The 5 campaigns cover model years 2008 to 2019. The 2008 model year appears in the most campaigns (2).

  • 5 recall campaigns
Smart Fortwo recall campaigns covering each model year
DecadeYears ending in 0Years ending in 1Years ending in 2Years ending in 3Years ending in 4Years ending in 5Years ending in 6Years ending in 7Years ending in 8Years ending in 9
2008: 2 campaigns2009: 1 campaign
2010: no campaigns2011: no campaigns2012: no campaigns2013: no campaigns2014: no campaigns2015: no campaigns2016: 1 campaign2017: 1 campaign2018: no campaigns2019: 1 campaign
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 20V107000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery; Electrical System › 12V/24V/48V Battery

    Model year 2019

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling one 2019 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive vehicle. A welded joint within the high-voltage battery main cell conductors may detach and interrupt electrical contact, resulting in sudden battery failure. The detached weld may also cause an electrical arc which can ignite inside the battery cells.

    Consequence:
    If the high-voltage battery fails, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical arc inside the battery increases the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace the high-voltage battery, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030009.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  2. NHTSA campaign 18V273000

    Reported

    Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine; Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System

    Model years 2008–2009

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.

    Consequence:
    If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  3. NHTSA campaign 17V448000

    Reported

    Parking Brake

    Model year 2016

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in increased parking brake lever travel before the parking brake engages.

    Consequence:
    As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  4. NHTSA campaign 17V447000

    Reported

    Steering

    Model year 2017

    Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.

    Consequence:
    Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle steering knuckle, replacing any from the affected batch, free of charge. The recall October 13, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

    Filed by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC

  5. NHTSA campaign 08V390000

    Reported

    Structure › Frame and Members

    Model year 2008

    Smart usa is recalling 43 MY 2008 fortwo 451 vehicles. A single batch of paint sent to the company did not meet specifications. A re-work was done in the plant using different formulations of painting materials. After the re-work was completed, it was determined that the combination of materials used to repaint the frame and chassis could lead to de lamination of the paint materials from the body and frame structures.

    Consequence:
    Such de laminating can take place in the area of the body where the windshield and roof have been affixed with adhesive, which could affect the adhesion of those components to the vehicle body, increasing the risk of separation. This could cause a crash if the roof or windshield separated from the vehicle while in motion.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will repaint the affected areas to meet specifications. The recall began on August 18, 2008. Owners may contact Smart usa at 1-248-648-2451.

    Filed by SMART USA DISTRIBUTOR LLC

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it; older campaigns, which NHTSA stores in capital letters, are shown in sentence case. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Smart Fortwo questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Smart Fortwo have?

NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recall campaigns for the Smart Fortwo, covering model years 2005 to 2019. The most recent, 20V107000, was reported on February 24, 2020 and is filed under “Electrical system”. The 2008 model year is covered by the most campaigns (2).

Which Smart Fortwo model year has the most complaints?

The 2008 model year, with 140 of the 346 complaints in NHTSA’s file (40.5%). The next are 2009 (100) and 2013 (25). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Smart Fortwo complaint?

Engine is the component named most often: 82 complaints, or 23.7% of all 346. Power Train (71) and Electrical System (57) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Smart Fortwo?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Smart dealer.

How many Smart Fortwo complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 346 complaints, 20 report a crash, 47 a fire, 16 at least one injury and 1 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Smart models

6 models · most complaints first

The Smart models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Smart VIN decoder with every Smart model page, WMI code and VIN note.

All Smart models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.