2017 Smart Fortwo Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 57%of 7 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 1,667miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Smart Fortwo, 57% of the 7 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 1,667 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.
“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“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“The car won't charge over 20% due probably a faulty manufacturer part of N83 high voltage control box. This could cause very serious electrical/battery issues if the high voltage box is faulty.”
NHTSA complaint #11535062, filed 2023-07Related service bulletins
- 11026831Dec 20, 2025Complaint The following symptoms with electrical range: • Displayed electrical range is implausible for charging process (SOC) . • Displayed electrical range reduces rapidly…
- 11015640Mar 5, 2025Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 11008091Sep 28, 2024Complaint During a phone call, the called party has difficulty understanding/cannot understand the driver, or interference/background noises are audible to the called party…
- 10228823Dec 9, 2022Mercedes-Benz AG (âMBAGâ), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz, has determined that on certain MY 2016-2017 smart (453 platform) vehicles, the transmission control unit…
- 10203893Nov 25, 2021The software for the battery management system control unit does not correspond with the current series production configuration in the vehicles of the above-mentioned model…
- 10170540Dec 19, 2019smart media system, reversing camera inoperative after software update and subsequent SCN coding
- 10160734Apr 25, 2019Update battery management system (BMS) control unit software
- 10153996Dec 6, 2018Vehicle Range ? Voltage difference of cells too great
- 10151978Aug 9, 2018Vehicle does not start
- 10151977Aug 6, 2018Vehicle does not start
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 4 | 57% |
| 2016 | 5 | 24% |
| 2015 | 1 | 17% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 3 | 12% |
| 2012 | 2 | 25% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 1 | 17% |
| 2009 | 14 | 14% |
| 2008 | 20 | 14% |
Other parts of the 2017 Smart Fortwo
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2017 Smart Fortwo
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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