2016 Smart FORTWO: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10824416 · 2016-02-05 (February 5, 2016)
MY NEW CAR AND MANY OTHERS HAVE GAS GAUGES THAT DO NOT WORK PROPERLY AT ALL! YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS IS IN YOUR TANK AT ALL. HTTP://WWW.SMARTCAROFAMERICA.COM/FORUMS/F208/2016-GAS-GAUGE-ISSUE-107826/
Owner-reported narrative. 90 miles reported. Look up ODI 10824416 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 10911135 · 2016-10-03 (October 3, 2016)
THE FUEL GAUGE AND MPG INDICATORS ARE BOTH FAULTY. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT SHOW THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK, AND THE MPG DIGITAL INDICATOR IS HARDLY EVER TRUE. ESPECIALLY THAT THE CAR'S ACTUAL CITY MPG IS WAY OFF FROM THE WHAT IS SHOWN ON THE STICKER.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10911135 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 10969003 · 2017-03-28 (March 28, 2017)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 SMART FORTWO. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE EXHAUST PIPES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400.
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10969003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11100436 · 2018-06-07 (June 7, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT WAS LEASING A 2016 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TO FUNCTION AND HOT AIR BLEW FROM THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,333.
Owner-reported narrative. 13,333 miles reported. Look up ODI 11100436 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 ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
17V448000 · Parking Brake
Reported: 2017-07-16 (July 16, 2017)
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 ↗