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Smart FortwoModel year report

2016 Smart Fortwo Problems

Complaints
21filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
5,300miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns 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
107 MPGecombined, Electric RWD · 122 city / 93 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Smart Fortwo (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2016 Smart Fortwo. The part named most often is engine, with 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system (7) and electrical system (5). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 77% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 5,300 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 7 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 60 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Fuel system complaints overlap with 3 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

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: Forward collision avoidance (1), Suspension (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine: “My 2016 Smart car at only 51000 miles had transmission failure while driving down freeway almost resulting in crash. My car went from 65 miles a hour, then warning light said transmission failure and car was unable to excel rate or break, the emergency break was the only thing that saved me. Mercedes diagnosed a wig was able to fly up under car and get wrapped around axels, transmission, and break belts. The car was totaled from a wig. …”

NHTSA complaint #11256423, filed 2019-09, 51,000 miles

Fuel system: “Tysinger replaced the fuel tank on 08/30/2018. The car has had problems with the fuel tank since I purchased the car. The car has been making a loud bang and then there is a strong smell of smoke afterwards. This has happened at least 45 times since I purchased the car, I thought the problem would go away, but it has not. The car stalls at red lights and during stop and go traffic, there is a strong smell of smoke after it stalls.”

NHTSA complaint #11129713, filed 2018-09, 1 miles

Electrical system: “2016 Smart car passion key stuck in switch. Stationary in park gear. Poor design of shifter, if that easily disabled. Should be recalled and replaced with improved design shifter. If that sensitive why do they put 2 cup holders near the shifter? Simple rubber seal would fix it! The service mechanic said the shifter was damaged because of a coffee spill - how long does it take - because any stain was years ago when I got the car. I have not drunk any in the car over a year. To save money I make coffee at home and drink at work. I'm sure all this summer wet and humid weather caused a problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11131619, filed 2018-09, 19,000 miles

Brakes: “The brakes are slipping bad. They have been slipping since I bought the vehicle in 2016. The gas tank is leaking and has leaked into the cab of the car. The gas tank has been replaced 3 times.”

NHTSA complaint #11353926, filed 2020-09, 35 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

77% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 90 and 19,000 miles.

54%0–1023%10–250%25–5023%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 5,300 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.

520172019202120232026
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 2016 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 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

Recall details for the 2016 Smart Fortwo → · Check a 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. 60 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 60 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 2016 Smart Fortwo have?

NHTSA recorded 21 consumer complaints for the 2016 Smart Fortwo as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Smart Fortwo is reported most often?

Engine is named most often, in 8 complaints (38% of the total), followed by fuel system with 7.

Has the 2016 Smart Fortwo been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How efficient is the 2016 Smart Fortwo according to the EPA?

The EPA rates the 2016 Smart Fortwo (fortwo electric drive convertible, Electric) at 107 MPGe combined, 122 city and 93 highway, with an estimated annual electricity cost of $700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other battery and motor versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Smart Fortwo reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 5,300 miles and the middle half falls between 90 and 19,000 miles; 77% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. 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.