vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

Smart FORTWO recalls by model year

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

346 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

32,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2005 to 2019 model years. Data snapshot: . 258 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

2005
0
2008
2
2009
1
2010
0
2011
0
2012
0
2013
0
2014
0
2015
0
2016
1
2017
1
2018
0
2019
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
20050
20082
20091
20100
20110
20120
20130
20140
20150
20161
20171
20180
20191

2005: 0; 2008: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 0; 2011: 0; 2012: 0; 2013: 0; 2014: 0; 2015: 0; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 0; 2019: 1

Year-by-year records

Smart FORTWO model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
200520Not available
20081402Not available
20091001-1
201060-1
20111600
2012800
20132500
20141300
2015600
2016211+1
2017710
201810-1
201911+1

Recall history

5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

08V390000 · Structure:Frame And Members

Reported: 2008-08-07 (August 7, 2008) · Model years: 2008

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.

Consequence: SUCH DE LAMINATING CAN TAKE PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE BODY WHERE THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF HAVE BEEN AFFIXED WITH ADHESIVE, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE ADHESION OF THOSE COMPONENTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEPARATION. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF THE ROOF OR WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAINT THE AFFECTED AREAS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMART USA AT 1-248-648-2451.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
18V273000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System

Reported: 2018-04-27 (April 27, 2018) · Model years: 2008, 2009

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.

Consequence: If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V448000 · Parking Brake

Reported: 2017-07-16 (July 16, 2017) · Model years: 2016

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.

Consequence: As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
17V447000 · Steering

Reported: 2017-07-14 (July 14, 2017) · Model years: 2017

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.

Consequence: Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle steering knuckle, replacing any from the affected batch, free of charge. The recall October 13, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
20V107000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery

Reported: 2020-02-24 (February 24, 2020) · Model years: 2019

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.

Consequence: If the high-voltage battery fails, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical arc inside the battery increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: MBUSA will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace the high-voltage battery, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030009.

NHTSA campaign record ↗