Skip to content
Smart FortwoModel year report

2017 Smart Fortwo Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
2,334miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
4 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
35 mpgcombined, 0.9L 3-cyl RWD · 33 city / 39 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2017 Smart Fortwo (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2017 Smart Fortwo. The part named most often is electrical system, with 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by steering (2) and engine (1). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 2,334 miles. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 63 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 23 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 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.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “The contact owns a 2017 Smart Fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle did not fully charge to the manufacturer recommended mileage range. In addition, in cold weather conditions, the mileage of the vehicle dropped approximately 10 MPH on the instrument panel. Mercedes-benz of boston (259 mcgrath hwy, somerville, ma) and the manufacturer were contacted in regards to diagnostic testing. The technician informed the contact that the vehicle operated as intended. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11072673, filed 2018-02, 1,000 miles

Steering: “What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Driver Side front wheel / maybe steering rack / etc. makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Noise / rubbing / grinding sound comes from the driver side front wheels or Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? …”

NHTSA complaint #11661091, filed 2025-05

Engine: “The Power Electronics Control Unit (ECM), Part No. A453-900-72-11, and the DC-to-DC converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. There is no backup propulsion system. The DC-to-DC converter powers safety-critical systems including lighting, turn signals, and hazard flashers — its failure could cause loss of safety-critical functions while driving. Total repair estimate is $20,560.43. The manufacturer Mercedes-Benz USA denied warranty coverage using a Canadian warranty document for the wrong vehicle model. …”

NHTSA complaint #11730040, filed 2026-04

Mileage when problems were reported

100% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,000 and 2,900 miles.

100%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 2,334 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2017201822019202320252026
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.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2017 Smart Fortwo. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Fortwo · coupe RWD★★★★☆4 / 4544 · 14.7% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2017 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking not available.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2017 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 coupe RWD0.9L 3-cyl6-speed automatic333935$2,350
fortwo coupe RWD0.9L 3-cyl5-speed manual313934$2,400
fortwo electric drive convertible RWDElectricsingle-speed11291102 MPGe$750
fortwo electric drive coupe RWDElectricsingle-speed12494108 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 2017 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. 63 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 63 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 2017 Smart Fortwo have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2017 Smart Fortwo as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2017 Smart Fortwo is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 4 complaints (57% of the total), followed by steering with 2.

Has the 2017 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 did the 2017 Smart Fortwo do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2017 Smart Fortwo 4 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2017 Smart Fortwo get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Smart Fortwo (fortwo coupe, 0.9L 3-cyl) at 35 mpg combined, 33 city and 39 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2017 Smart Fortwo reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 2,334 miles and the middle half falls between 1,000 and 2,900 miles; 100% 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.