The Most Common Smart Car Problems
Transmission failures are one of the most common Smart car problems, but electrical faults and suspension issues are also fairly frequent.
Written by Patrick Price
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
Transmission issues are the most common problem seen in Smart cars, along with electrical faults, suspension problems, and engine failures.
While Smart cars haven’t been very popular in the United States, they’re still considered to be fairly reliable vehicles. However, even the most dependable cars have their share of common issues. If you own (or are thinking about buying) a Smart car, you should be aware of these problems.
To help you be prepared for every eventuality,
Jerry
—the car insurance
comparison super app—has put together this breakdown of the most common Smart car problems. We also explain how to find a Smart insurance cost
that fits your budget!What are the most common smart car problems?
Smart cars are produced by Smart Automobile Co., Ltd—a company formed as a collaboration between
Mercedes-Benz
and Swatch (a Swiss watch company). The name Smart is actually an abbreviation of Swatch Mercedes ART. The combined heritage of Swiss dedication to quality and Mercedes’ expert German engineering means that Smart cars are generally very reliable—but that doesn’t guarantee that they’re completely problem-free.
Here are some of the issues common to Smart’s different variations of the
Fortwo
model (the only model ever produced/sold in significant amounts in the U.S.): - Electrical failures
- Suspension problems
- Transmission/gearbox issues
- Clutch malfunction/failure
- Engine problems
The majority of these issues are seen in the sub-par 2009 Fortwo model. It has received 94 complaints to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
—far more than most model years. For a more detailed breakdown of the most common Smart car problems, take a look at the table below.
Model | Starting price | J.D. Power reliability rating | Most common problems | Years to avoid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fortwo | $14,650 | 73/100 | Transmission trouble, won’t engage reverse | 2008, 2009 |
Fortwo Cabrio | $28,100 | N/A | Powertrain issues, electrical failures | 2015, 2016 |
Fortwo Coupe | $41,145 | N/A | Powertrain issues, roof “crazing” | 2019, 2016, 2010 |
Fortwo Electric Drive (EQ) | $23,900 | 74/100 | Charging unit failure | 2019, 2016, 2010 |
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversMost common Fortwo problems
Average annual repair cost: $751 (Average annual repair costs for the Fortwo, Fortwo Cabrio, Fortwo Coupe, and Fortwo EQ are not tracked separately)
CarComplaints.com complaints: 33
The Fortwo is Smart’s main model sold in the United States. As such, it’s the most common and therefore has the most data available on its issues. Like most cars, it can sometimes have issues with its transmission failing—which is the most commonly reported problem.
Besides that, there is only one major issue that is seen commonly throughout all model years—the Fortwo intermittently has trouble engaging the “reverse” gear.
Fortwos also commonly experience failing muffler flex pipes, blown
heater blower motors
, delamination, and crazing—a condition where the roof becomes covered in small cracks as a result of normal wear and tear. Most common Fortwo Cabrio problems
Average annual repair cost: $751 (Average annual repair costs for the Fortwo, Fortwo Cabrio, Fortwo Coupe, and Fortwo EQ are not tracked separately)
CarComplaints.com complaints: N/A
Like the other versions of the Fortwo, the Cabrio experiences problems shifting into “reverse” and suffers from occasional transmission failure. You may also encounter electrical failure due to faulty wiring.
Most common Fortwo Coupe problems
Average annual repair cost: $751 (Average annual repair costs for the Fortwo, Fortwo Cabrio, Fortwo Coupe, and Fortwo EQ are not tracked separately)
CarComplaints.com complaints: N/A
The Fortwo Coupe shares the same general issues as the other variations of the Fortwo including intermittent trouble shifting into both park and reverse—though seemingly less often. If your
car is not shifting into park
, make an appointment with your mechanic.Most common Fortwo Electric Drive (EQ) problems
Average annual repair cost: $751 (Average annual repair costs for the Fortwo, Fortwo Cabrio, Fortwo Coupe, and Fortwo EQ are not tracked separately)
CarComplaints.com complaints: 1
The main issue that you might see in the EQ version of the Fortwo is its charging unit failing after only 10,000-20,000 miles of use. If this happens, you’ll most likely need to get the unit replaced.
Are smart cars reliable?
For the most part, Smart cars are fairly reliable. They are engineered very well, so issues aren’t too common. In fact, their overall reliability rating is 4.0 out of 5.0—which ranks them 10th out of 32 major car manufacturers.
However, there’s more to a car’s reliability than just the frequency of its problems. Another important factor is how much the accompanying repairs cost.
According to Repair Pal, the average annual repair cost across all Smart models is$751, which is significantly higher than average.
The least reliable Smart model: 2009 Fortwo
Most common problem: Malfunctioning "Automated Manual" Transmission
NHTSA complaints: 94
Whichever variation of the Fortwo you decide to buy, the model year you’ll want to avoid is 2009—that iteration was plagued by numerous issues including frequent transmission failure, trouble shifting gears, crazing, and delamination.
MORE: Are Smart cars expensive to maintain?
The most reliable Smart model: 2016 Fortwo
Most common problem: Transmission failure
NHTSA complaints: N/A
The model year with the least complaints and problems overall is going to be the 2016 Fortwo. That’s your best bet if you’re looking for a Smart car that you can depend on.
MORE:
How long do Acuras last?
How to buy hassle-free car insurance
No matter what sort of car you drive, the fastest and easiest way to find quality car insurance for an affordable price is by comparing quotes from dozens of providers using
Jerry
. Jerry is a fully licensed automated insurance broker and policy comparison
super app
—that means it’s extremely good at finding your great rates fast! Drivers who use Jerry save an average of $800+ a year! And it’s free! Download the app and give it a try today to find a
Smart insurance cost
that's in your price range.“I was tired of looking around multiple websites, so I decided to giveJerrya try. Let me tell you—the process is so easy and simple, and they really find you the best prices for your coverage level. Getting insurance for my new car was quick and easy!” —Joanna D.
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FAQ
How long do Smart cars last?
With proper maintenance, Smart cars tend to last about 10-13 years, or 150,000-200,000 miles.
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