Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Smart Fortwo, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Seat belts2
- Air bags2
- Electrical system2
- Engine1
- Power train1
- Structure1
- Vehicle speed control1
- Exterior lighting1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Registered new in Europe in 2012
13,632 new Smart Fortwo cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2012; the largest markets were the United Kingdom (5,585), France (5,446), Spain (2,354).
- Average mass
- 855 kg
- Average power
- 57 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 91% · Diesel 7.8% · Electric 1.6%
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
Engines
The most common engines in 2012 Smart Fortwo cars on Dutch roads are the 1.0 petrol (45 kW, 60 hp) and 1.0 petrol (52 kW, 70 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0 petrol | 45 kW 60 hp | 280 |
| 1.0 petrol | 52 kW 70 hp | 196 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
519 first registered in 2012 are on Dutch roads; 32% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €11,835.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde399
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld170
- Band onvoldoende profiel127
- Schijf-, trommelrem loopt niet vrij100
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm75
- Uitlaatsysteem niet gasdicht / onveilige afvoer uitlaatgasse69
- Stadslicht werkt niet (goed)67
- Band beschadigd56
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
4,453 cars built in 2012 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 254 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 767 of these cars first registered in 2012 took their annual MOT test. 71% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2012 the figure was 66%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2012 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 10.7% | 14.3% |
| Brakes | 7.7% | 7.7% |
| Tyres | 6.1% | 7.0% |
| Suspension | 5.6% | 12.2% |
| Visibility | 5.2% | 5.0% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 3.3% | 3.2% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
31 2012 cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports, 0% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD | — | 21.2 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- No
- Lane departure warning
- No
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2012 Smart Fortwo.
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 2012 Smart Fortwo: 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 |
| 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. |
| 10157087 | Switching noise from climate relay |
| 10154012 | Smart audio system - Radio inoperative - New software available |
| 10154008 | Media system, poor sound quality via AUX IN |
| 10153996 | Vehicle Range ? Voltage difference of cells too great |
| 10151978 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151977 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151976 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151975 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151974 | Vehicle does not start |
| 10151956 | smart media system: Telephone connection is made, communication is not possible |
| 10144276 | Light switch/combination switch, fault code stored |
| 10144134 | Condenser leaking |
| 10144079 | Charging socket/charging cable: Charging cable lock jams (P12E900, P13E800) |
| 10144078 | Vehicle cannot be started (FC: P0A0A00, P0A0E00, P0D9F00, P1D0BFD, C11C187, P0D5800, P0D5900, P0D9900, P0D9A97) |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)