2017 Smart Fortwo problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (2) · Wheels (1) · Visibility/Wiper (1)
🧭 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)
Steering 2017-07-14 · campaign 17V447000 · 110 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (63)
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 63 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-08 · Power Train“the power electronics control unit (ecm), part no. a453-900-72-11, and the dc-to-dc converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. there is no backup propulsion system. the dc-to-dc converter powers safety-critical systems including lighting, turn signals, and hazard flashers — its failure could cause loss of…”
2025-05-15 · Wheels“what component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? driver side front wheel / maybe steering rack / etc. makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min how was your safety or the safety of others put at ri…”
2023-07-28 · Electrical System“the car won't charge over 20% due probably a faulty manufacturer part of n83 high voltage control box. this could cause very serious electrical/battery issues if the high voltage box is faulty.…”
2019-03-21 · Seat Belts · 2,900 mi“seat belts do not retract. there were couple of times while in transit on city road, i had to apply brake suddenly and seat belt fail to engage to hold the passenger back . all the time , both seat belts do not retract to their home position when not in use and car is stopped and parked, this caused dents to the car's body and frame around the…”
2018-09-06 · Visibility/Wiper · 2,334 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart for two. while the vehicle was in reverse, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. the rear exterior lighting and rear wiper warning indicator illuminated. the vehicle was taken to garage isla verde llc (located at ave, baldorioty de castro km 10.3, pr 00979, (787) 620-1313), but wa…”
2018-02-13 · Electrical System · 1,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart fortwo. the contact stated that the vehicle did not fully charge to the manufacturer recommended mileage range. in addition, in cold weather conditions, the mileage of the vehicle dropped approximately 10 mph on the instrument panel. mercedes-benz of boston (259 mcgrath hwy, somerville, ma) and the manufacturer wer…”
2017-10-11 · Steering“tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart fortwo. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 17v447000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. mercedes-benz of south bay (3311 pacific coast hwy, torrence, ca) was c…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.