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Smart FortwoModel year report

2013 Smart Fortwo Problems

Compared with other Smart Fortwo years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

24/100 0.6× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
25filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
13,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
36 mpgcombined, 1.0L 3-cyl RWD · 34 city / 38 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2013 Smart Fortwo (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2013 Smart Fortwo. The part named most often is seat belts, with 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine (6) and transmission and drivetrain (5). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 86% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 13,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 a fire, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 56 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 2 Smart Fortwo model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 24 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

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.

Also reported: Equipment (1), Exterior lighting (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Seat belts: “Red light with seat with a red DOT came on while I was driving. I stopped the car and looked up what the symbol meant. When it didn't involve oil or water, I drove it to dealer. They performed 30,000 mile service and when I drove it home it stopped.”

NHTSA complaint #11203624, filed 2019-04, 30,000 miles

Engine: “I was on the onramp to a very busy highway going about 50 MPH so that I could merge into traffic without slowing traffic down. All of a sudden I lost power. I was able to coast into the right shoulder before the vehicle lost it's momentum. Luckily I did not cause an accident with fast oncoming traffic. I turned the engine off and tried to restart the car about 2 to 3 times with no success. After about 5 minutes I tried again and the car started. …”

NHTSA complaint #10503982, filed 2013-03, 8,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “Driver seatbelt will not stay in tension ring. At times stuck in park & when unstuck will not engage any gear and stopping at red light while in drive soon after starting car it will not move when accelerator is engaged. In all cases engine must be turned off then turn to power on only for 10 to twenty minutes during which eventually clicking/clunking sounds are heard. After hearing these sounds start and shift. Repeat sometimes twice before transmission unlocks. You must leave one hour early to work or appointments anticipating transmission lockup and reset process. …”

NHTSA complaint #11354621, filed 2020-09, 14,300 miles

Electrical system: “Engine light flashed briefly and went off. Within one mile engine lost all power. As I slowed to a stop, a large cloud of steam erupted. Car was in shop for over a month and most of the engine was replaced. No explanation of lack of warning lamps. A second two week trip to the dealer was needed to resolve all the issues. Car still has engine light on”

NHTSA complaint #10608766, filed 2014-07, 12,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

86% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,000 and 30,000 miles.

38%0–1029%10–2519%25–505%50–755%75–1005%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (21 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 13,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2013520152017201920212024
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2013 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); for electric versions it is the cost of electricity and the rating is in MPGe.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
fortwo cabriolet RWD1.0L 3-cyl5-speed automatic343836$2,300
fortwo coupe RWD1.0L 3-cyl5-speed automatic343836$2,300
fortwo electric drive convertible RWDElectricsingle-speed12293107 MPGe$700
fortwo electric drive coupe RWDElectricsingle-speed12293107 MPGe$700

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 2013 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. 56 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 56 bulletins →

Other model years of the Smart Fortwo

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
201772,3341435—Not enough data
2016215,3001—107 MPGe—Falling
2015616,3251—36—Not enough data
2014136,1571—36—Not enough data
20132513,0000—3624 · FewerFalling
2012832,0000—36—Not enough data
20111629,6000—36—Rising
2010633,9500—36—Not enough data
200910038,5001—3650 · TypicalFalling
200814039,2282—3693 · MoreFalling

All Smart Fortwo model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013 Smart Fortwo have?

NHTSA recorded 25 consumer complaints for the 2013 Smart Fortwo as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2013 Smart Fortwo is reported most often?

Seat belts is named most often, in 7 complaints (28% of the total), followed by engine with 6.

Has the 2013 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 2013 Smart Fortwo get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Smart Fortwo (fortwo cabriolet, 1.0L 3-cyl) at 36 mpg combined, 34 city and 38 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 2013 Smart Fortwo reported?

Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 13,000 miles and the middle half falls between 7,000 and 30,000 miles; 86% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. 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.