Models
Every Smart model with a safety record. Open one to see it year by year.
| Model | Years | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fortwo | 2005–2019 | 346 |
| Fortwo Cabrio | 2008–2009 | 28 |
| Fortwo Coupe | 2008–2016 | 23 |
| Forfour | 2010–2022 | — |
| EQ fortwo | 2018–2022 | — |
Also on record, with too little data for a page of its own: Fortwo Coupe Electric · Fortwo Cabriolet · Fortwo Convertible Electr · electric drive · fortwo-451 · Fortwo Convertible.
NHTSA recalls, complaints and manufacturer communications (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · new cars in Europe: European Environment Agency, 2010–2022
Complaints by model year
All Smart models together. Newer years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints
What owners report
- Power train89
- Engine85
- Electrical system71
- Unknown or other48
- Seat belts38
- Structure31
- Fuel/propulsion system26
- Engine and engine cooling26
NHTSA ODI complaints, by the system named in the complaint
Latest recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Smart Fortwo vehicles. The horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism on these vehicles may not have been properly sealed off to prevent future adjustment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Smart Fortwo Coupes and Convertibles, and 2014 Fortwo Coupe Electric and Fortwo Convertible Electric vehicles. The affected vehicles have steering gear mounting bolts which may break during vehicle operation.
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.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
EU safety alerts
14 Smart alerts in Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, since 2006; the latest 10 are below.
| EQ fortwo cabrio, EQ fortwo coupe SR/01579/26 · 5 Jun 2026 | Injuries |
| EQ fortwo cabrio, EQ fortwo coupe A12/00175/23 · 27 Jan 2023 | Injuries |
| EQ Fortwo A12/01245/21 · 27 Aug 2021 | Injuries |
| FORTWO A12/01071/21 · 23 Jul 2021 | Injuries |
| Fortwo, Forfour A12/00748/20 · 22 May 2020 | Fire, Injuries |
| Fortwo, Forfour A12/1405/17 · 13 Oct 2017 | Injuries |
| Fortwo, Forfour A12/1330/17 · 29 Sept 2017 | Injuries |
| Forfour A12/0766/16 · 24 Jun 2016 | Injuries |
| Fortwo, Fortwo Turbo A12/0730/16 · 10 Jun 2016 | Injuries |
| Forfour A12/0808/15 · 3 Jul 2015 | Injuries |
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0 · all EU alerts
New registrations in Europe
919,223 new Smart cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (12,128), Italy (4,781), France (1,360), Spain (666), Portugal (283).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 19,966 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 35,071 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 25,858 | 0 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 113,143 | 117 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 96,992 | 122 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 97,571 | 149 (WLTP) |
| 2016 | 102,249 | — |
| 2015 | 92,472 | — |
| 2014 | 53,823 | — |
| 2013 | 63,384 | — |
| 2012 | 67,084 | — |
| 2011 | 73,178 | — |
| 2010 | 78,432 | — |
Most registered Smart models in Europe, 2022
| Model | New cars |
|---|---|
| Eq Fortwo Coupe | 16,805 |
| Eq Forfour | 2,950 |
| #1 | 195 |
| Smart | 5 |
| Forfour | 5 |
| Fortwo | 4 |
| Crossblade | 1 |
| 451 | 1 |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement