2013 Smart Fortwo Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 20%of 25 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2013 Smart Fortwo, 20% of the 25 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 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.
“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 contact owns a 2013 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that the motor hesitated and the accelerator pedal was slow to respond and accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the spark plugs, brakes, and rotors, but the failure continued. The contact constantly had to change gears back and forth due to the transmission being slow to change over. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to more than two independent repair shops for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and was unable to supply a permanent remedy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10810493, filed 2015-12, 11,000 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…
- 10136136Jul 1, 2016Update Powertrain Control Module Software
- 10136111Jul 1, 2016Update Powertrain Control Module Software
- 10135600Mar 26, 2015Slight leakage at right side shaft
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2013 Smart Fortwo
7 complaintsEngine
6 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 Oct 31, 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