Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Service brakes1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2016
39,089 new Smart Fortwo Coupe cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2016; the largest markets were Germany (18,062), Italy (17,165), Portugal (1,411).
- Average mass
- 910 kg
- Average power
- 57 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 100%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In Finland
9 of these cars first registered in 2016 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 68,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 6.9 L/100 km (about 34 mpg US), CO₂ 157 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| fortwo coupe · Two-seater · Premium gasoline | 7.5 | 6.1 | 6.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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."
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Smart told its dealers about the 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009122 | Complaint Washer fluid system leaks Cause Various possible causes: 1. Washer fluid reservoir itself. 2. Seal on washer fluid pump/washer fluid reservoir. 3. Washer fluid pump. 3.1. Distributor housing leaks. 3.2. Pump fitting leaks. 3.3. Washer fluid hose cannot be snapped into place on pump fitting. 3.4. Washer fluid hose will not stay on pump fitting, although connector OK. 4. Washer fluid line. 4.1 Connector will not stay on pump fitting because it is broken. 4.2 Sealing ring in connector missing. 4.3 Sealing ring in connector fitted, but deformed and therefore leaks. 4.4 Damage to washer l |
| 11008091 | Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party during a call. It becomes increasingly difficult to understand as the speed rises. Cause A. Seating of the microphones in the headliner. Side edges are covered by the textile cover (see picture "1") B. Assembly of microphones (B25/20 or B25/21) in the headliner. C. Dirt inside the microphone housing Remedy 1. Press finger on rear of microphone (on adhesive tape) 2. Remove microphone cap from the front 3. Eliminate protrudin |
| 11007974 | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural phenomenon which can occur under certain climatic conditions. In contrast to a leaky headlamp, physical fogging does not result in a technical impairment of the headlamp. A leak test must be performed to determine if physical fogging exists or if the headlamp is leaky. Remedy In advance, observe LI82.10-P-078301 "Headlamps or Front Fog Lamps Leaking or Fogged". 1. Prepare headlamp/check for external damage: For headlamps with a closed system 1. Check the headlamps for any external damage and check also for cor |
| 11007753 | Complaint Headlamp or front fog lamp leaky or fogged Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. It does not lead to any technical impairment of the headlamp. Headlamps comply with all applicable standards. If a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the lamp unit is a "closed system". Remedy Headlamp: Remedy 1 Clearing fogged/condensed LED headlamps and LED rear lamps: 1. Drive vehicle into workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) and connect the exhaust extraction. Note: Do not perform an eng |
| 11005294 | Complaint Rear lamps fogged up/not leaktight. Cause Fogging of the rear lamps is a natural phenomenon, which can occur under certain climatic conditions. This does not lead to any technical impairment of the rear lamps. Remedy Rear lamp: Remedy 1: Clearing fogged/condensed rear lamps: 1. Drive the vehicle into the workshop (temperature higher than +18 C/+64.4 F) Note: Do not wash the vehicle or subject it to high-pressure cleaning before the defogging test. 2. Switch off the engine and connect battery support via a charger. 3. Open the trunk. 4. Switch on the exterior lighting. 5. Leave the ve |
| 10228823 | Mercedes-Benz AG (MBAG), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain MY 2016-2017 smart (453 platform) vehicles, the transmission control unit software does not correspond to current specifications. During scan tool readout, non-active errors may incorrectly output. These do not affect drivability and OBD errors are still detected correctly. What Were Doing MBUSA will conduct a service campaign. An authorized Mercedes-Benz dealer will update the transmission control unit software. |
| 10167526 | Highline can only be operated to a limited extent or not at all; the input points (contact points) are shifted horizontally relative to the display; calibration is not possible. |
| 10167515 | PreConditioning of the vehicle via the Vehicle Homepage or the instrument cluster does not function or is restricted. |
| 10167514 | PreConditioning of the vehicle via the Vehicle Homepage or the instrument cluster does not function or is restricted. |
| 10167486 | Range does not meet customer's expectations. Customers usually differentiate as follows: 1. Total of distance driven + indicated range remaining with one HV battery charge too low 2. Actual range until the drive system shuts down too low |
| 10167028 | If the Radio 9 was switched off while driving, it can switch itself back on again the next time the engine is started. |
| 10167004 | Creaking, grating or grunting noise while steering audible in the steering gear area. The noise can be transferred through the steering gear into the interior. The noise occurs, in particular, at high temperatures, e.g. in the summer. |
| 10157070 | Vehicle no longer starts; starter battery flat |
| 10151928 | ATA operates without obvious cause |
| 10136137 | Update Battery Management System Control Module Software |
| 10136015 | Brake pedal/carpet seal does not fit properly |
| 10135990 | Preparation for Performing Maintenance Service or Status Check of High-Voltage Battery |
| 10135930 | Charging complaints - Initial analysis |
| 10135913 | smart ed - 12V battery discharged, undervoltage, vehicle not drivable, fault messages concerning electric drive system |
| 10135626 | Fault profiles and measures for Highline radio, SA code 527 |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)