RoadVitals

2010 Smart Fortwo Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Latest May 9, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2010 Smart Fortwo, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine337.5%
  • Body & structure112.5%
  • Electrical112.5%
  • Fuel system112.5%
  • Powertrain (other)112.5%
  • Visibility112.5%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAYWHEN IT SEIZED. WHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE IN THE BACK CAUGHT FIRE, MY VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND, THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS THE YEAR BEFORE, (FOR THE 2009 SMART CAR) THERE ARE VIDEOS DOCUMNTING THIS ON YOU TUBE. MY BROTHER WHO WORKED FOR MERCEDES (THE PARENT COMPANY OF SMART) AS A MECHANIC TOLD ME TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11206595 · filed May 9, 2019

I PURCHASED A NEW 2010 SMART FOR TWO ' CABRIOLE IN MAY, 2011, FROM SMART CENTER PALM BEACH [FL] (AKA. MERCEDES-BENZ OF PALM BEACH). ON DECEMBER 27, 2013, I EXPERIENCED LOUD NOISES UNDER THE FRONT HOOD. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SMART CENTER ' GAINESVILLE [FL] (AKA. MERCEDES-BENZ OF GAINESVILLE) WHERE THEY 'FOUND THE RADIATOR COOLING FAN TO HAVE EXCESSIVE PLAY CAUSING THE NOISE.' [SEE R/O NUMBER 6022634 /1, COPY ATTACHED.] THE ODOMETER READ 51501. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS $962.65, INCLUDING A COURTESY $50- DISCOUNT. ON JUNE 22, 2016, I, AGAIN, EXPERIENCED LOUD NOISES UNDER THE FRONT HOOD AND DROVE THE CAR TO THE SMART CENTER ' TAMPA [FL] (AKA. MERCEDES-BENZ OF TAMPA) WHERE THEY FOUND 'CAUSE: RADIATOR FAN IS FAULTY'. [SEE INVOICE 473583, COPY ATTACHED.] THE ODOMETER READ 93833. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR WAS $946.69. THE INVOICE AT $991.69 INCLUDES A CHARGE OF $45- FOR WINDSHIELD WASHER PUMP REPLACEMENT. I BELIEVE THE SMART FOR TWO RADIATOR FAN ASSEMBLY IS: FIRST, DEFECTIVE IN DESIGN BECAUSE REPLACEMENT REQUIRES THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF THE CAR FRONT END FASCIA, THE BUMPER, THE WIPERS AND WIPER COWL, THE FRONT SUB FRAME, AND THE COMPLETE REMOVAL OF BOTH THE AIR CONDITIONING ASSEMBLY (INCLUDING RECOVERY OF REFRIGERANT & REPLACEMENT) AND THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY (INCLUDING COOLANT REMOVAL & REPLACEMENT); AND SECOND: DEFICIENT & SUB-STANDARD IN MATERIALS AND/OR MANUFACTURING BECAUSE ITS USABLE LIFE IS EXCEPTIONALLY SHORT. THE FIRST RADIATOR FAN FAILED AFTER 32 MONTHS / 51,500 MILES AND THE SECOND FAN FAILED AFTER 30 MONTHS / 42,300 MILES. EACH TIME MY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE WAS APPROXIMATELY $950-. I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FAN ASSEMBLY COSTING APPROXIMATELY $170-; BUT INSTALLATION AT A MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP FOR OVER $600- IS BOTH OUTRAGEOUS AND A TESTAMENT TO THE MANUFACTURER'S DEFICIENT FORETHOUGHT & DESIGN.

NHTSA ID 10876345 · filed Jun 24, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAYWHEN IT SEIZED. WHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE IN THE BACK CAUGHT FIRE, MY VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND, THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS THE YEAR BEFORE, (FOR THE 2009 SMART CAR) THERE ARE VIDEOS DOCUMNTING THIS ON YOU TUBE. MY BROTHER WHO WORKED FOR MERCEDES (THE PARENT COMPANY OF SMART) AS A MECHANIC TOLD ME TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11206595 · filed May 9, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAYWHEN IT SEIZED. WHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE IN THE BACK CAUGHT FIRE, MY VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND, THERE WERE RECALLS FOR THIS THE YEAR BEFORE, (FOR THE 2009 SMART CAR) THERE ARE VIDEOS DOCUMNTING THIS ON YOU TUBE. MY BROTHER WHO WORKED FOR MERCEDES (THE PARENT COMPANY OF SMART) AS A MECHANIC TOLD ME TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS.

NHTSA ID 11206595 · filed May 9, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

SMART CAR REPEATEDLY CUTS ENGINE POWER DURING ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ID 10423058 · filed Sep 2, 2011

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MY CAR WAS IN PARK AND I COULD NOT MOVE THE GEAR SHIFT TO DRIVE. I AM TRYING TO SELL THE CAR. SOMEONE BOUGHT THE CAR YESTERDAY AND I AM WORRIED THEY WILL WANT TO BRING THE CAR BACK TO ME. *TR

NHTSA ID 10493540 · filed Jan 20, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BLOWER MOTOR DID NOT WORK AND CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO FOG UP. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED SMART CENTER ALBUQUERQUE AT 877-316-3208 (LOCATED AT 1220 S RENAISSANCE BLVD NE, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87107), BUT WAS UNABLE TO REACH ANYONE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ID 11155249 · filed Nov 30, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .