2016 Smart FORTWO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,300 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 21 complaints (38.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 28.6% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 19.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 1 |
Engine: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 7; Electrical System: 5; Service Brakes: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Steering: 2; Structure:Body: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 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 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (10). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 5; 2017: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 3; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 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 10882810 · 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE WAS GIVING ME INCORRECT READINGS. THE GAS TANK ACCORDING TO THE OWNERS MANUAL HOLDS 8+ GALLONS OF GAS. WHEN I GET A LOW FUEL WARNING IF I "FILL UP" THE TANK IT ONLY TAKES BETWEEN 5 AND 6 GALLONS. THE GAS GAUGE SHOWS FULL AND THEN WITHIN HOURS ALL OF A SUDDEN IT READS THERE IS ONLY A HALF TANK OF GAS. I VISITED MY DEALER MERCEDES-BENZ MANHATTAN IF FEBRUARY OF 2016 AFTER WAITING FOR 3 HOURS I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE WAS BEING WORKED ON BUT AT THAT TIME THERE IS NO FIX. PRIOR TO GOING TO THE DEALER I RECEIVE NO NOTIFIC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10882810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10937409 · 2016-12-26 (December 26, 2016)
GAS TANK 5 GALLONS NOT 8 AS LISTED IN THE BOOK. TANKS FILLS UP PREMIUM GAS FOR $10. GAS PUMP SAID IT PUT OUT 5 GALLONS ONLY INTO THE TANK. THAT FILLED UP THE WHOLE. NOW I'M NAIVE TO FILL UP SOON I REACH ANOTHER 100 MILES. THIS IS NOT GOING TO WORK. YOU SOLD ME THE WRONG VEHICLE. INSTEAD OF HELPING ME MAKE A WISE DECISION YOUR ONLY CONCERN WAS TO SELL SELL SELL THAT'S IT. MPG IS AROUND 30. NOT TRUE IT'S AT 23 MPG. MIRRORS DON'T ADJUST CORRECTLY. BLIND-SIDING IS DANGEROUS AND FATAL. EMISSIONS ISSUE: SMELLS LIKE PLASTIC/RUBBER BURNING ??? B…
Owner-reported narrative. 61 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937409 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10885818 · 2016-07-19 (July 19, 2016)
ON STEEP UPHILLS AND WHEN YOU HAVE COME TO A STOP BECAUSE OF A RED LIGHT OR A STOP SIGN, THE ENGINE SEEMS TO BE TOO WEAK TO PUSH THE TRANSMISSION FORWARD AND ACTUALLY THE CAR MY ROLL BACK AND BRAKES GO IN A LOCK MODE WHICH CREATES A BIG SAFETY ISSUE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10885818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11353926 · 2020-09-09 (September 9, 2020)
THE BRAKES ARE SLIPPING BAD. THEY HAVE BEEN SLIPPING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2016. THE GAS TANK IS LEAKING AND HAS LEAKED INTO THE CAB OF THE CAR. THE GAS TANK HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 35 miles reported. Look up ODI 11353926 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299810 · 2020-01-16 (January 16, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS, THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PARKED FOR A MONTH. AFTER A MONTH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MERCEDES-BENZ OF SAN FRANCISCO 500 8TH ST, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94103 WHERE THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT MERCEDES WOULD NOT COVER THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO THE LACK OF SERVICE UPKEEP. THE DEALER PROVIDED AN ESTIMATE OF $15,000.00 FOR THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11256423 · 2019-09-18 (September 18, 2019)
MY 2016 SMART CAR AT ONLY 51000 MILES HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY ALMOST RESULTING IN CRASH. MY CAR WENT FROM 65 MILES A HOUR, THEN WARNING LIGHT SAID TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND CAR WAS UNABLE TO EXCEL RATE OR BREAK, THE EMERGENCY BREAK WAS THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED ME. MERCEDES DIAGNOSED A WIG WAS ABLE TO FLY UP UNDER CAR AND GET WRAPPED AROUND AXELS, TRANSMISSION, AND BREAK BELTS. THE CAR WAS TOTALED FROM A WIG. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE UNDERNEATH IS LEFT VULNERABLE TO A OBJECT BEING ABLE TO CAUSE SO MUCH DAMAGE, TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11256423 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457487 · 2022-03-20 (March 20, 2022)
Since purchasing the car the power steering has been bad. The dealership where I purchased the car and Mercedes refused to fix the issue. There is electrical issues and the gas tank gauge and gas tank have been replaced 3 times. Please do not purchase a Smart Car thecmakers do not stand behind their product. I took it to Mercedes Hampton VA Auto Mall and they are so rude. I have almost died 4 times due to bot bring able to turn steering wheel.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457487 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457491 · 2022-03-20 (March 20, 2022)
Since I purchased the car from Hampton Auto Mall [phone removed] there has been an issue with the steering, brakes, gas system, fuel gauge etc.. The dealership or Mercedes refuses to fix the problem since I purchased it in 2016. I have almost died due to steering problems and gas tank. Please get a mechanic to check the steering and for small tears in your gas tank on Smarts. The dealership I bought my car from refuses to fix issue because of lemon laws the Service Advisor told me so.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11129713 · 2018-09-15 (September 15, 2018)
TYSINGER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK ON 08/30/2018. THE CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE CAR HAS BEEN MAKING A LOUD BANG AND THEN THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE AFTERWARDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 45 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WOULD GO AWAY, BUT IT HAS NOT. THE CAR STALLS AT RED LIGHTS AND DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF SMOKE AFTER IT STALLS.
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 11129713 at NHTSA ↗