Menu

2011 Smart FortwoProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 16 owner complaints about the 2011 Smart Fortwo, most often about the engine. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2011 Smart Fortwo
–
CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints164 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage27kEngine, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 9, 2023. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2011 Smart Fortwo has problems

16 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine51
Seat belts40
Electrical system40
Service brakes21
Power train20
Fuel/propulsion system11
Structure10
Tires10
Vehicle speed control11
1 other systems10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2011 Smart Fortwo recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2011 vs. every other Fortwo year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Fortwo median. How we score

'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2011 Smart Fortwo safety ratings

2011 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Rollover: 3 stars (21.2% risk)
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2011 Smart Fortwo, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Pedestrian alert soundsDP22005 · closed Aug 7, 2023
    Led to recall 22V-063
In owners' words

What Fortwo owners report

Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10981144 · Apr 27, 2017 · 51,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10714370 · May 4, 2015 · 36,200 miles
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. NO APPARENT REASON. CAR DROVE OK BROUGHT TO MB DEALER. THEY RUN DIAGNOSTIC. NOTED THAT CYLINDER 3 MISFIRED AT SOME POINT, BUT EVERYTHING IS FINE NOW. CAR WAS IN WARRANTY THEN. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. CAR WAS RIDING ROUGH TEMPORARILY. THEN…
Complaint 10555017 · Dec 6, 2013 · 23,500 miles

Own a 2011 Fortwo?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.