2013 Smart Fortwo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Seat Belts (5) · Engine (5) · Power Train (3)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Smart Fortwo model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
21 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (56)
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 56 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-03 · Seat Belts“seat belt anchor to vehicle on driver side of vehicle frayed and broke away with normal routine use.…”
2022-06-14 · Seat Belts“the drivers side seatbelt connecting floor (i think it's the belt force limiter) has a cable that has broken off. this is the 2nd time this has happened to my smartcar. it is a design flaw because the cable runs against the metal of the seat cutting thru the cable. it isn't usually noticed until it breaks off making the seatbelt complete become …”
2021-11-02 · Electrical System“software for power control module is not correspond to the series level software configuration. basically it doesn't want to take charge due to the software issues from manufacturer. …”
2021-05-13 · Power Train · 70,000 mi“the gear cannot go reverse. it stuck at neutral. i can drive forward, neutral but not go reverse.…”
2020-11-28 · Unknown Or Other · 1 mi“regarding lightning: water/humidity had access to the sam unit and the right-side signals/stop light stopped working. the vehicle was in motion when it suddenly stopped working. regarding body/other: some of the convertible-roof steel frame/bars got bent when closing the top and the bent bars would prevent the top from closing unless you forced th…”
2020-09-12 · Seat Belts · 14,300 mi“driver seatbelt will not stay in tension ring. at times stuck in park & when unstuck will not engage any gear and stopping at red light while in drive soon after starting car it will not move when accelerator is engaged. in all cases engine must be turned off then turn to power on only for 10 to twenty minutes during which eventually clicking/clunk…”
2020-06-04 · Seat Belts · 110,000 mi“the driver side seat belt mount, which in this case is a steel cable, has mostly broken and frayed rendering it unsafe to drive. in the event of an accident, it would certainly break completely. i only noticed it yesterday while cleaning, the breakage would've happened while driving it. i've contacted smart usa, and gotten no response. i've co…”
2020-03-02 · Power Train · 76,086 mi“this car is an ev. water in the brake light switch, will not let the car recharge. water and mud in the 12v power cable on the drivers side of the battery pack has caused a 12v power cable fitting to crack. both of these problems are on the bottom side of the car. these problems will not let the car recharge! this is not a flood car! it has 76,…”
2019-04-25 · Seats · 30,000 mi“red light with seat with a red dot came on while i was driving. i stopped the car and looked up what the symbol meant. when it didn't involve oil or water, i drove it to dealer. they performed 30,000 mile service and when i drove it home it stopped.…”
2019-03-28 · Seat Belts · 30,000 mi“left driver side seat belt is connected by a cable to the car body. we discovered that the cable had failed and only a couple of strands were holding the seat belt to the car. my wife discovered it by accident when getting out of the car. photos attached. mercedes charged me $450 to replace seat belts that were defective.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.