2016 Smart Fortwo Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 19%of 21 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 3,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2016 Smart Fortwo, 19% of the 21 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 3,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“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“On steep uphills and when you have come to a stop because of a red light or a stop sign, the engine seems to be too weak to push the transmission forward and actually the car my roll back and brakes go in a lock mode which creates a big safety issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10885818, filed 2016-07, 3,500 miles“Three weeks after got the car from carmax check engine light went on and the after a smell of burning oil every time after driving somewhere. Cruise control failure about a month and half after getting the car, spring shocks in bad condition. Front windshield replaced looks like by the writing on the upper corner driver side (pieces of glass found on the car). Cargo cover missing and no mats.”
NHTSA complaint #11448747, filed 2022-01“The contact owned a 2016 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH and uncertain if whether he depressed the accelerator pedal or the brake pedal; the vehicle accelerated off the road and hit a tree. The air bags deployed upon impact. The contact sustained minor bruising at a result of the accident but did not seek medical treatment. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was totaled and remained at the scene of accident. The dealer nor the manufacturer nor the dealer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be towed from the scene of the accident. …”
NHTSA complaint #11383048, filed 2020-12, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 17V448000Jul 16, 2017Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the…Covers: Smart Fortwo 2016
Related service bulletins
- 11038186Sep 22, 2026Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom is similar to a tire or wheel vibration, it is usually readily…
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2016 Smart Fortwo
8 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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