2011 Smart Fortwo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (4) · Engine (3) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Smart Fortwo model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (54)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Service Brakes 2026-09-22 · LI42.10-P-078779 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60mph. note: although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily noticeable that it is distinctly different if it happens at all times or only while braking. cause although the cause of the vibra
Structure:body 2026-09-14 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Structure:body 2026-08-06 · LI82.62-P-078631 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors. cause under analysis. remedy to narrow down the cause, first of all remove the door trim. • if the noise continues to occur even with the door trim removed, then continue the diagnosis working towards the speaker and if necessary,
Power Train 2026-07-14 · LI35.30-P-058566 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). the noise is heard once in each instance when changing direction of travel. note: sound file in attachment cause if the complaint is eliminated by experimentally loosening the outboard collar n
Visibility/Wiper 2026-05-19 · LI82.30-P-059239 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint there are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance: a: wiper blades squeaking, chattering, shuddering b: the windshield is not wiped completely (streaking) c: during the downward movement water is pulled back onto the windshield from the a-pillar
Exterior Lighting 2026-04-16 · LI82.10-P-078301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
complaint headlamp, 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. if a pressure compensation diaphragm is fitted in the housing cover, then the l
Showing the 6 most recent of 54 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2023-01-09 · Tires“175 55 r15 tge tires wires startes to unravelling and chabgibg the ahape of tge tire.…”
2018-10-27 · Seat Belts · 84,000 mi“the driver side seat belt latch has failed for the second time in 2 years. the male end can not be inserted into the female end.…”
2018-07-31 · Seat Belts · 64,000 mi“the metal seat belt connector frayed in to two pieces. replaced with oem part. it frayed again. it's a 2011 driven by a 75 yr.old senior citizen. mercedes accused owner of maliciously cutting cable. extreme safety hazzard.…”
2017-08-29 · Seat Belts“safe belt buckle jammed or can't click…”
2017-04-27 · Engine · 51,000 mi · 🔥 fire“i was driving eastbound in the number 1 lane of california highway 24 about 1/4 mile before the tunnel road exit. i heard a noise coming from the engine are of the car, looked at the instrument cluster and noticed that the engine light had illuminated, and experience a sudden loss of power. i pulled off of the highway at the tunnel road exit and st…”
2016-10-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 54,000 mi · 💥 crash“the car broke down on exit 231 b in virginia. the smart had a gas tank defect. i was nearly killed. i have taken the car to tysinger motors in virginia multiple times.…”
2016-09-28 · Unknown Or Other · 10,004 mi“after only 10.000 miles the engine mounts all go bad!…”
2016-09-15 · Structure:body · 15,000 mi“the panoramic roof is crazing! it's unsafe to drive the car because the glass can shattered on top of my head at any giving moment! when it's raining or washing the car at the carwash the roof is also leaking. this is a very common problem with the smart car passion model! a lot of complaints about it!…”
2015-05-21 · Seat Belts · 57,200 mi“my wife was departing with the car and when she tried to insert the seat belt buckle and it would not insert. i called the mercedes dealer and they said it was a common failure but they wanted to charge me for the repair.…”
2015-05-04 · Engine · 36,200 mi“2011 smart fortwo coupe. running rough and showing check engine light with obd code p0302. mercedes-benz dealership found misfire on cylinder #2. further investigation found cylinder #2 leaking 75%. removed and replaced cylinder head with a new cylinder head as a "goodwill repair." this particular mercedes-benz dealer has done 14 of these rep…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.