2013 Smart Fortwo Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 28%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the seat belts of the 2013 Smart Fortwo, 28% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 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.
“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“The 2013 Smart Fortwo pure edition (base model) seat belt restraint system malfunctions. When the driver leans forward to look out either side window to check for oncoming traffic the seat belt becomes loose and will not retract into the guide unless it is hand fed. This also remains true for the passenger side. It appears it is being caught up in the guide attached to the side of the seats.”
NHTSA complaint #10555019, filed 2013-12, 7,000 miles“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“The drivers side seatbelt connecting floor (I think it's the belt force limiter) has a cable that has broken off. This is the 2nd time this has happened to my SmartCar. It is a design flaw because the cable runs against the metal of the seat cutting thru the cable. It isn't usually noticed until it breaks off making the seatbelt complete become broken from the floor. Additionally, SmartCars including this one have a known issue where AirBags become I op (light on) due to connection issue under seat. So now I have no restraints in my car.”
NHTSA complaint #11469109, filed 2022-06Seat belts: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Smart Fortwo
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Smart Fortwo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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