smart Fortwo Complaints

407 consumer complaints on file.

#11758392August 20, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
I was entering an intersection and missed judged the traffic light and was a bit to far forward, so I tried to reverse but the car would not shift to reverse. I have had an actuator replaced but the problem still happens intermittently where it will not shift to reverse. I have logged into smart car forums online and it seems to be an ongoing problem with many smart cars. I have not had the manufacturer look at it yet. Many on the forum said in some cases it is a software issue. But it is dangerous.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11730040April 8, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
The Power Electronics Control Unit (ECM), Part No. A453-900-72-11, and the DC-to-DC converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. There is no backup propulsion system. The DC-to-DC converter powers safety-critical systems including lighting, turn signals, and hazard flashers — its failure could cause loss of safety-critical functions while driving. Total repair estimate is $20,560.43. The manufacturer Mercedes-Benz USA denied warranty coverage using a Canadian warranty document for the wrong vehicle model. MBUSA has shut down the Smart warranty portal at the dealer level and their website returns no warranty data for Smart vehicles despite active warranty obligations. Smart exited the US market and MBUSA appears to have abandoned warranty support while warranties remain active.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11722865March 9, 2026
ENGINE
I have had it for 6 years. And it has been in for repair, at least 7 times in those somewhere around one time per year. Sometimes twice. All for heating 3 times same piece not sure what to do but it always has to do with no heat to car or overheating my insurance through carmax bout to end gonna cost me alot to keep it even though I love the car seems like a massive problem that mercedes should do something about I've called and got tge run a round
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11684251September 1, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Loss of most of the braking effectiveness, resulting in a collision. This vehicle had a Virginia State inspection performed the previous month and no brake failure dash lights were noted before the collision.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682335August 22, 2025
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2009 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The vehicle was turned off, the contact waited, and then restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle operated as needed. The failure had occurred several times while driving. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to brake immediately and drifted to the left. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard for the vehicle to come to a stop. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the ABS was faulty and retrieved Diagnostic Trouble Codes: 1314 and C1443. The contact stated that the front brake pads were replaced by the dealer, and the rear brake pads were replaced by a certified mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired for the failure to accelerate, and the failure persisted. The vehicle was purchased on July 17, 2025, and the seller kept the repair issues with the vehicle from the contact and failed to provide information on the previous repairs. The contact stated that the failure recurred after retrieving the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 74,254.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661091May 15, 2025
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Driver Side front wheel / maybe steering rack / etc. makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Noise / rubbing / grinding sound comes from the driver side front wheels or Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, Service center reproduced the sound and went two levels deep to try and ascertain the origin but to no avail. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES Has been inspected multiple times by different mechanics costing hundreds of dollars with still no diagnostic or remedy. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No lamps or warning lights prior to problem which was first heard / discovered around 2019
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11661330May 15, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The 90 degree fittings(integral to the fuel pump) on top of the fuel pump cracked and leaks gasoline leading to a potential fire that could cause bodily injury for the driver and passenger. It is noticeable because of strong gasoline smell inside and outside of the car. There are many of the same complaints from Smart Car drivers in various forum.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11650674March 26, 2025
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Sunday 3/23 I was driving west on 225 heading towards work, all of a sudden the check engine light comes on and all kinds of other lights on the dash came on. I got pulled over and looked in the rear view mirror I seen flames. Quickly grabbed my stuff and got out of the car. The investigation at the time stated most of the heat was coming from the engine
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11649006March 18, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2014 SMART FORTWO has a HV System Maintenance warning that should be included with 2014-2015 HV System recall that Mercedes has. However, My VIN is not coming up on the search. The HV System is causing the car to not charge correctly at charging stations and it is causing the system battery to drain. I don't know when the HV System light came on, but it started causing the vehicle to glitch about March 05, 2025. I have someone look at it in 2023... But it is still having HV System Maintenance problems.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11648551March 16, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My SMART ForTwo Coupe 2014 has been having a High Voltage System Maintenance alert on the dashboard. I have sought service help from AAA and PepBoys, but everyone was saying the system battery is fine. When I moved to an apartment that doesn't have electric outlets, my ability to charge was stifled. When my HV battery went under 10%, the system battery shutdown and the HV battery went into reserve mode. I searched the internet and all over the U.S. SMART ForTwo 2014 is having this problem. It's all over the forums on SMART USA website. I did a search and Mercedes has a recall for SMART 2014 - 2015 coupes and convertible with HV System errors. But when I search the NHTSA website, my vehicle did not come up. I've been told in my local city forum that on Mercedes Dealer can fix this problem. So, many SMART 2014 is having this issue. How do I get service help if my VIN isn't popping up for HV System Error? I highly believe my HV System error is related to the following below. Please, look into the HV System Maintenance error that SMART ForTwo ED 2014 is having nationwide. You can find the error reported on YouTube, Facebook, SMART USA, and so many places. The Following is the Recall Quote on Google: "Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Smart Fortwo Coupes and Convertibles, and 2014 Fortwo Coupe Electric and Fortwo Convertible Electric vehicles due to a potential high-voltage battery failure that could cause the vehicle to stall and increase the risk of a crash or fire. " "Recall Details: NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V107000 Manufacturer: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM "
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11628640December 3, 2024
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt anchor to vehicle on driver side of vehicle frayed and broke away with normal routine use.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616352September 25, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2008 Smart Fortwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000(Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact noticed there was smoke coming from the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle had caught on fire. No warning lights illuminated. The contact exited the vehicle quickly and entered a mechanic shop and a mechanic put on safety gloves to extinguish the fire with a fire hose. The fire was able to be extinguished by the mechanic. The mechanic mentioned that the insulation mat detached from the vehicle and caught on fire. No injuries were sustained. A fire report was not filed since the fire department was not at the scene. A Police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's parents' home where it remained. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. Parts Distribution Disconnect
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11613305September 8, 2024
ENGINE
Mercedes-Benz USA has no service centers on Long Island,NY that might fix the recall issue. For a time they were the only Smart Car service provider after Smart Car dealers were abandoned. MB USA currently will not do the recall and offers no reasonable alternative. The issue is potential engine compartment/total vehicle fire due to compartment insulation failure. Offers no suggestions for doing the recall service except one MB dealer in CT at one time might be able; if I research them.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612995September 6, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact's mother owns a 2008 Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The local dealer was notified of the recall but informed the contact that the recall could not be serviced at their location. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to a dealer that was 180 miles away. The manufacturer was informed that the owner of the vehicle was elderly and would not be able to travel that far a distance yet was offered no additional assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11612872September 5, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer scheduled an appointment at the dealer; however, the dealer contacted the contact and decline to honor the recall repair appointment. The contact contacted two dealers and was informed that they do not perform repair on Mercedes-Benz Smart Cars. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611786August 30, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 Smart ForTwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer suggested that the vehicle be towed to another local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611680August 29, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2009 Mercedes-Benz Smart Fortwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer and several unknown dealers were contacted and informed the contact that they did not service Smart vehicles. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606245August 3, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
When starting the car, the transmission will not respond to the shifter being put into any gear. A computer diagnostic says it is a communications issue. Mercedes, who sold the car to me new, refuses to do any repair work as they have discontinued Smart sales in the US. If the communications for the transmission fails during operation, this will be very dangerous. There are numerous reports on the internet of similar issues and owners trying to repair this themselves. Mercedes needs to be forced to repair what they have sold and represented. If this is a software update issue, who has the software to fix this issue? It is outrageous that NHTSA has not enforced these issues with Mercedes Benz of America.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11598820July 4, 2024
ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car shuts down while driving. This happens usually after quick stops or sudden starts like at a red light or when a car suddenly stops on front of me. I have had this issue happen to me several times. I have tried contacting Mercedes-Benz and the dealership where I bought tge car but they do nothing. I need help getting this issue repaired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
4
Deaths:
0
#11592424June 4, 2024
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact received a notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The parts were available; however, the dealer list the manufacturer provided that the recall repair instructions were not available. The contact called multiple dealers however services could not be provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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