2012 Smart Fortwo Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 25%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Smart Fortwo, 25% of the 8 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,250 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on the freeway (5 lane) in my 2012 Smart Fortwo passion coupe in the middle lane at 65-70 MPH. All of the sudden my accelerator was no longer functional. I looked down and saw that my speedometer and gear indicator were also non-functional. I was able to coast (despite heavy traffic) to the shoulder of the fast lane - it was impossible for me to get to the slow lane shoulder due to heavy traffic. I was able to use the breaks once I hit the shoulder (unsure if power brakes or not) and once stopped was unable to use automatic windows. …”
NHTSA complaint #10466970, filed 2012-07, 2,500 miles“Transmission will go into three bars and not shift on highways and parkways, usually able to safely drive under power to side of road sometimes goes into neutral and have to coast to side. Occurs with elevated ambient moisture. Started at 32,000 miles. Known issue, transmission has a limp mode for this occurrence. Very difficult to diagnose, appears electrical in nature. Smart dealership will not address.”
NHTSA complaint #10966517, filed 2017-03, 32,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10153996Dec 6, 2018Vehicle Range ? Voltage difference of cells too great
- 10151978Aug 9, 2018Vehicle does not start
- 10151977Aug 6, 2018Vehicle does not start
- 10151976Aug 6, 2018Vehicle does not start
- 10151975Aug 6, 2018Vehicle does not start
- 10151974Aug 6, 2018Vehicle does not start
- 10144276Jun 11, 2018Light switch/combination switch, fault code stored
- 10144079Mar 7, 2018Charging socket/charging cable: Charging cable lock jams (P12E900, P13E800)
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | 57% |
| 2016 | 5 | 24% |
| 2015 | 1 | 17% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 12% |
| 2012 | 2 | 25% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 14 | 14% |
| 2008 | 20 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2012 Smart Fortwo
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Smart Fortwo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology