2016 Smart Fortwo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (5) · Service Brakes (2) · Engine (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 (1)
Parking Brake 2017-07-16 · campaign 17V448000 · 5,061 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (60)
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 60 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-09 · Engine“i have had it for 6 years. and it has been in for repair, at least 7 times in those somewhere around one time per year. sometimes twice. all for heating 3 times same piece not sure what to do but it always has to do with no heat to car or overheating my insurance through carmax bout to end gonna cost me alot to keep it even though i love the car se…”
2024-07-04 · Fuel/Propulsion System“car shuts down while driving. this happens usually after quick stops or sudden starts like at a red light or when a car suddenly stops on front of me. i have had this issue happen to me several times. i have tried contacting mercedes-benz and the dealership where i bought tge car but they do nothing. i need help getting this issue repaired. …”
2024-04-29 · Engine · 58,299 mi“the contact owns a 2016 smart fortwo. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated with a loud whirring noise. the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake changeover valves had failed. the independent mechanic advised the contact that the part…”
2023-04-14 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings“the car just shuts off while i am driving. i can tell now when it is about to shut off. i have had this problem since i purchased the car in 2016. i have taken the car to the dealership and called mercedes benz several times and they will not do anything. i will die because the car is getting worse and shuts off more frequently now. can you get mer…”
2022-03-20 · Suspension · 💥 crash“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 ma…”
2022-03-20 · Steering · 💥 crash“since i purchased the car from hampton auto mall 757 865 8000 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…”
2022-01-25 · Visibility/Wiper“three weeks after got the car from carmax check engine light went on and the after a smell of burning oil every time after driving somewhere. cruise control failure about a month and half after getting the car, spring shocks in bad condition. front windshield replaced looks like by the writing on the upper corner driver side (pieces of glass found …”
2021-09-10 · Structure:body · 💥 crash“the roof detached on the highway. it was just replaced by mercedes benz in manhattan and a couple of weeks later when it went on a highway, the roof flew up and i had to hold on to it for dear life while i was searching for a shoulder since they don’t have them everywhere on the east coast. i didn’t want anyone behind me to be killed. i didn’t want…”
2020-12-11 · Service Brakes · 50,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owned a 2016 smart fortwo. the contact stated that while driving at 25 mph and uncertain if whether he depressed the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal; the vehicle accelerated off the road and hit a tree. the air bags deployed upon impact. the contact sustained minor bruising at a result of the accident but did not seek medical t…”
2020-09-09 · Wheels · 35 mi · 💥 crash · 🔥 fire“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.