2012 Smart Fortwo Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 13%of 8 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Smart Fortwo, 13% of the 8 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32,000 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.
“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
- 11035005Jul 14, 2026Single 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…
- 11019018May 21, 2025Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end). The clunk is heard once when changing from forward to reverse…
- 10135600Mar 26, 2015Slight leakage at right side shaft
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Smart Fortwo
2 complaintsElectrical system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsBody and structure
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 30, 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