repaired · 2019 Q2
Parking brake
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,…
2016 Smart FortwoProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 21 owner complaints about the 2016 Smart Fortwo, most often about the engine. It is covered by 1 safety recall, and for recall 17V-448 the manufacturer reports only 81% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 9, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2016 Smart Fortwo has problems
21 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
8Engine3 crash/fire/injury
7Fuel/propulsion system3 crash/fire/injury
5Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
4Service brakes2 crash/fire/injury
2Structure
2Steering
1Engine and engine cooling
1Suspension
1Visibility
55 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 3 |
| Electrical system | 5 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 2 |
| Structure | 2 | 1 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 |
| 5 other systems | 5 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2016 Smart Fortwo recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Smart.
Best & worst years
2016 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
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2016 Smart Fortwo, and the recalls they led to.
- Pedestrian alert soundsLed to recall 22V-063
In owners' words
What Fortwo owners report
Recent engine complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2016 Fortwo?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.