2010 Smart Fortwo Problems
- Complaints
- 6filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 33,950miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 36 mpgcombined, 1.0L 3-cyl RWD · 33 city / 41 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2010 Smart Fortwo (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2010 Smart Fortwo. The part named most often is engine, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and fuel system (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 33,950 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 6 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Engine3 50%
- Electrical system1 17%
- Fuel system1 17%
- Body and structure1 17%
Example complaints
Engine: “My car was in motion on the freewaywhen it seized. When stopped the engine in the back caught fire, my vehicle burned to the ground, there were recalls for this the year before, (for the 2009 Smart car) there are videos documnting this on you tube. My brother who worked for mercedes (the parent company of Smart) as a mechanic told me to see if there were any recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #11206595, filed 2019-05, 149,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 20,025 and 93,800 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2010 Smart Fortwo. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortwo · coupe RWD | not rated | 4 / 3 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2010 Smart Fortwo version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| fortwo cabriolet RWD | 1.0L 3-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 33 | 41 | 36 | $2,300 |
| fortwo coupe RWD | 1.0L 3-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 33 | 41 | 36 | $2,300 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2010 Smart Fortwo in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 6 on record; the latest 6 are shown.
- 10167526Mar 25, 2014Electrical system. Highline can only be operated to a limited extent or not at all; the input points (contact points) are shifted horizontally relative to the display; calibration is not possible.
- 10167515Mar 20, 2014Electrical system. PreConditioning of the vehicle via the Vehicle Homepage or the instrument cluster does not function or is restricted.
- 10167514Mar 7, 2014Electrical system. PreConditioning of the vehicle via the Vehicle Homepage or the instrument cluster does not function or is restricted.
- 10167486Mar 3, 2014Electrical system. Range does not meet customer's expectations. Customers usually differentiate as follows: 1. Total of distance driven + indicated range remaining with one HV battery charge too low 2. Actual range…
- 10167028Jan 10, 2014Equipment. If the Radio 9 was switched off while driving, it can switch itself back on again the next time the engine is started.
- 10044208Apr 18, 2012Electrical system. Smart: high-voltage battery software update.
Other model years of the Smart Fortwo
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 7 | 2,334 | 1 | 4 | 35 | — | Not enough data |
| 2016 | 21 | 5,300 | 1 | — | 107 MPGe | — | Falling |
| 2015 | 6 | 16,325 | 1 | — | 36 | — | Not enough data |
| 2014 | 13 | 6,157 | 1 | — | 36 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 25 | 13,000 | 0 | — | 36 | 24 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 8 | 32,000 | 0 | — | 36 | — | Not enough data |
| 2011 | 16 | 29,600 | 0 | — | 36 | — | Rising |
| 2010 | 6 | 33,950 | 0 | — | 36 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 100 | 38,500 | 1 | — | 36 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2008 | 140 | 39,228 | 2 | — | 36 | 93 · More | Falling |
All Smart Fortwo model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2010 Smart Fortwo have?
NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2010 Smart Fortwo as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2010 Smart Fortwo is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2010 Smart Fortwo been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2010 Smart Fortwo get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Smart Fortwo (fortwo cabriolet, 1.0L 3-cyl) at 36 mpg combined, 33 city and 41 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2010 Smart Fortwo reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 33,950 miles and the middle half falls between 20,025 and 93,800 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.