2013 Smart FORTWO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
13,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 25 complaints (28.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 16.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Seats | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Seat Belts: 7; Engine: 6; Power Train: 5; Electrical System: 3; Seats: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (14). 4 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2013: 5; 2014: 3; 2015: 3; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 2; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10503982 · 2013-03-21 (March 21, 2013)
I WAS ON THE ONRAMP TO A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH SO THAT I COULD MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S MOMENTUM. LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH FAST ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR ABOUT 2 TO 3 TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINUTES I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTED. I MANAGED TO GET ON THE HIGHWAY AND MAKE IT HOME, BUT EVER SINCE THIS INCIDENT I AM TERRIFIED …
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10810493 · 2015-12-15 (December 15, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HESITATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CHANGE GEARS BACK AND FORTH DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION BEING SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MORE THAN TWO INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOPS FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND WAS U…
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10810493 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10824087 · 2016-02-03 (February 3, 2016)
THE "BRAKE MALF" LIGHT WENT ON AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL, COMING HOME FROM WORK. I PULLED TO A SIDE STREET. THE BREAK WOULD WORK IF YOU PRESSED REALLY HARD. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE SMART DEALERSHIP.THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED ME THAT WATER LEAKED FROM UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT AND CORRODED THE FUSE BOX CONNECTED TO THE BREAKS. I ASKED HOW WATER COULD GET THERE HE SAID FROM A SPILL. I INFORMED HIM THAT NOTHING HAS SPILLED ON THAT SIDE AND ASKED IF IT COULD BE FROM THE RAIN OR LEAKING WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID. HE SAID THE RAIN CAN'T GET IN UNLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10766514 · 2015-09-21 (September 21, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CASING MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10766514 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11074117 · 2018-02-21 (February 21, 2018)
ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16TH WHEN TRYING TO START MY 2013 SMART FORTWO BRABUS, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLICKING, SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE AC VENTS, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED, FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET AT THE TIME. HERE IS A LINK TO AN ARTICLE IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER: HTTP://WWW.EMPORIAGAZETTE.COM/AREA_NEWS/ARTICLE_8D176B4C-1351-11E8-99E4-A352E891F430.HTML AND I'VE ATTACHED A PICTURE OF THE FIRE DEPT. REPORT.
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11074117 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11033202 · 2017-10-13 (October 13, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FOR TWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED WHITE SMOKE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANSICO DEALER LOCATED AT 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CAWHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT DAMAGED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE REPAIR DUE TO NEGLIGEN…
Owner-reported narrative. 33,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11033202 at NHTSA ↗