The Smart Fortwo spans 2008–2026 with 17 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2008, 2009, 2011 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2013, 2014, 2015. It delivers up to 108 mpg combined and 4-star NHTSA safety.
Is the Smart Fortwo a good car?
Short answer: yes, with the usual caveat about model years. Our score for the Smart Fortwo is 4.0 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the power train — 53 of the 279 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 2013, 2014, 2015 score best in our data, and 2008, 2009 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Smart Fortwo is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2008 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Smart Fortwo VIN — every digit explained
Every Smart Fortwo carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Smart and the country it was built in (real Smart codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Fortwo.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- ChinaR4N
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. The whole position-by-position breakdown — year codes 2001–2026, country codes, stamping locations — lives in our VIN decoder tool.
How many recalls does the Smart Fortwo have?
The Smart Fortwo has 17 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2008–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2019 Smart Fortwo recalls 1
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling one 2019 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive vehicle. A welded joint within the high-voltage battery main cell conductors may detach and interrupt electrical contact, resulting in sudden battery failure. The detached weld may also cause an electrical arc which can ignite inside the battery cells.
Risk. If the high-voltage battery fails, the vehicle may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. In addition, an electrical arc inside the battery increases the risk of a fire.
Fix. MBUSA will notify the owner, and a dealer will replace the high-voltage battery, free of charge. The recall began May 8, 2020. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2020030009.
2017 Smart Fortwo recalls 1
Steering
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.
Risk. Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle steering knuckle, replacing any from the affected batch, free of charge. The recall October 13, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
2016 Smart Fortwo recalls 1
Parking Brake
What's wrong. Mercedes-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 parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in increased parking brake lever travel before the parking brake engages.
Risk. As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
2009 Smart Fortwo recalls 1
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.
Risk. If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.
2008 Smart Fortwo recalls 2
Structure:frame And Members
What's wrong. SMART USA IS RECALLING 43 MY 2008 FORTWO 451 VEHICLES. A SINGLE BATCH OF PAINT SENT TO THE COMPANY DID NOT MEET SPECIFICATIONS. A RE-WORK WAS DONE IN THE PLANT USING DIFFERENT FORMULATIONS OF PAINTING MATERIALS. AFTER THE RE-WORK WAS COMPLETED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COMBINATION OF MATERIALS USED TO REPAINT THE FRAME AND CHASSIS COULD LEAD TO DE LAMINATION OF THE PAINT MATERIALS FROM THE BODY AND FRAME STRUCTURES.
Risk. SUCH DE LAMINATING CAN TAKE PLACE IN THE AREA OF THE BODY WHERE THE WINDSHIELD AND ROOF HAVE BEEN AFFIXED WITH ADHESIVE, WHICH COULD AFFECT THE ADHESION OF THOSE COMPONENTS TO THE VEHICLE BODY, INCREASING THE RISK OF SEPARATION. THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH IF THE ROOF OR WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION.
Fix. DEALERS WILL REPAINT THE AFFECTED AREAS TO MEET SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SMART USA AT 1-248-648-2451.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System
What's wrong. Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2008-2009 smart fortwo cabrio and fortwo coupe vehicles. The rear insulation mat in the engine compartment may deform, deteriorate, and loosen over time, allowing the mat to contact hot exhaust system components.
Risk. If the mat contacts hot exhaust system components, it can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix. MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear insulation mat with an improved one, free of charge. The recall began in July 2018. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372. MBUSA's number for this recall is 2018060010.
Best and worst years for the Smart Fortwo
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 19 tracked years, the worst years are 2008, 2009, 2011 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2013, 2014, 2015.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 Fortwo | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2009 Fortwo | Power Train | Avoid | |
| 2010 Fortwo | Engine | Average | |
| 2011 Fortwo | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2012 Fortwo | Seat Belts | Average | |
| 2013 Fortwo | — | Best | |
| 2014 Fortwo | — | Best | |
| 2015 Fortwo | — | Best | |
| 2016 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2017 Fortwo | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2018 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2019 Fortwo | Electrical System | Average | |
| 2020 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2021 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2022 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2023 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2024 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2025 Fortwo | — | Average | |
| 2026 Fortwo | — | Average |
What are the most common Smart Fortwo problems?
The most-reported Smart Fortwo problems are Power Train (53 reports), Engine (43 reports) and Electrical System (28 reports) — out of 279 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Power Train 53 Read
Smart car had history of not going in reverse. "r" would not come up on screen, car would just roll forward, hitting vehicle(s) in front. Then for a couple of months, (2 years) car would go into neutral while driving, (even on highway) coast for a while, then shut down, and not restart. If you waited 10 minutes, it…
The 2008 smart car, has been consistently, shifting into neutral, while driving, usually, when entering, or exiting a highway, or at an intersection (speed changes). The car shifts into neutral, and then usually shuts down, causing the vehicle to be rear ended, from unsuspecting drivers behind this vehicle..the…
The 2008 smart car, has been consistently, shifting into neutral, while driving, usually, when entering, or exiting a highway, or at an intersection (speed changes). The car shifts into neutral, and then usually shuts down, causing the vehicle to be rear ended, from unsuspecting drivers behind this vehicle..the…
Engine 43 Read
I was driving eastbound in the number 1 lane of california highway 24 about 1/4 mile before the tunnel road exit. I heard a noise coming from the engine are of the car, looked at the instrument cluster and noticed that the engine light had illuminated, and experience a sudden loss of power. I pulled off of the highway…
The contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact was not notified, but the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V273000 (engine and engine cooling). While the vehicle was in operation, it caught fire in the engine compartment without warning. The fire extinguished on its own and caused catastrophic engine…
The contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. While driving 40 mph, the contact felt heat coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact noticed that the rear carpet and plastic from the trunk cover caught fire. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to the…
Electrical System 28 Read
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…
The contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact heard a knocking sound under the hood of the vehicle and smoke began to fill the vehicle underneath the steering column. The contact parked and turned off the vehicle; however, the knocking sound and smoke continued. The horn and alarm began to sound. The contact…
Hello. I saw on the news there was an investigation about 2008/2009 smart cars. Mine caught completely on fire in april of 2012 while driving. I did not know where to complain to other than the dealership until I saw the news. I bought my smart car in december of 2009. With in 9 months I started having electrical…
Engine And Engine Cooling 21 Read
After getting home from school, coming in saying hello to the family I went back out to my car to get my bag. When I approached my car I could hear what I believed to be my radiator fans still running despite the car was turned off. My logic was "maybe a glitch in the computer." so I proceeded to simply turn the car…
The contact owns a 2008 Mercedes-Benz Smart ForTwo. The contact stated while parking the vehicle, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was on fire under the hood. The fire department was called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was not towed.…
The contact owns a 2008 Smart Fortwo. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V273000(Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact…
Structure 14 Read
I was driving my smart car to work at 1:30 am. There was some snow on the roads so I left 10 minutes earlier than normal so I could drive slowly. I had to go up a hill and the car fishtailed and crashed into the steel rail.I was going 43 mph in a 55 mph zone when the car fishtailed. I hit the steel rail almost head…
I represent the owners of this 2009 smart fortwo vehicle. My client drove the vehicle home after work and parked in the garage. Approximately 30 minutes after parking the vehicle in the garage, my client was awoken by his son who smelled smoke. My client followed the smoke to the garage where he found the vehicle on…
The contact owns a 2012 smart fortwo. While driving 60 mph, the passenger side body panel disengaged without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,100
Seat Belts 14 Read
Seat belts do not retract. There were couple of times while in transit on city road, I had to apply brake suddenly and seat belt fail to engage to hold the passenger back . All the time , both seat belts do not retract to their home position when not in use and car is stopped and parked, this caused dents to the car's…
The driver side seat belt mount, which in this case is a steel cable, has mostly broken and frayed rendering it unsafe to drive. In the event of an accident, it would certainly break completely. I only noticed it yesterday while cleaning, the breakage would've happened while driving it. I've contacted mercedes USA,…
My wife was departing with the car and when she tried to insert the seat belt buckle and it would not insert. I called the mercedes dealer and they said it was a common failure but they wanted to charge me for the repair
Fuel/propulsion System 12 Read
The car broke down on exit 231 b in virginia. The smart had a gas tank defect. I was nearly killed. I have taken the car to tysinger motors in virginia multiple times
Fuel leak of unknown origin/cause while stationary, forming a puddle beneath the vehicle overnight. Vehicle otherwise in pristine condition. No accident or other impact took place -- normal drive home, garaged the car, found puddle in the morning and garage filled with gas fumes, observed dripping from underside of car
Fuel pump connector cracks
Service Brakes 9 Read
I have a 2009 smart for two passion model on 7/21 I went to go into a parking place at a small shopping area and the brakes slowed me down but would not allow me to come to a complete stop. I was going very slow but could not stop thus I hit the window of a furniture store. It broke the window and the only damage to…
The contact owns a 2011 smart fortwo. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated, the vehicle was taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The failure was located at cylinder three. The contact also stated that while the brake pedal was depressed, it made a squeaking noise. The dealer…
The contact owns a 2009 smart fortwo. The contact stated that the ABS system warning light remained illuminated and caused the traction control to also fail. The dealer advised that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and…
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Smart Fortwo specifications & dimensions
The 2017 Smart Fortwo measures 106″ long on a 74″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,050 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Smart Fortwo window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 106″ | 65″ | 61″ | 74″ | 2,050 lb |
| 2008–2014 | 106″ | 61″ | 61″ | 74″ | 1,852 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Smart Fortwo cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Fortwo holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Smart Fortwo tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Smart Fortwo get?
The Smart Fortwo returns up to 108 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $700/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2017 Smart Fortwo (0.9L 3-cyl) gets 35 mpg combined and costs about $2,200/yr to fuel, emitting 251 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 8/10, smog 7/10).
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Fortwo | 33 | 38 | $2,200 | 251 | 7/10 | 0.9L 3-cyl | |
| 2016 Fortwo | 33 | 39 | $2,200 | 246 | 7/10 | 0.9L 3-cyl | |
| 2015 Fortwo | 34 | 38 | $2,150 | 244 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2014 Fortwo | 34 | 38 | $2,150 | 243 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2013 Fortwo | 34 | 38 | $2,150 | 244 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2012 Fortwo | 34 | 38 | $2,150 | 247 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2011 Fortwo | 33 | 39 | $2,150 | 247 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2010 Fortwo | 33 | 41 | $2,150 | 247 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2009 Fortwo | 33 | 41 | $2,150 | 247 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl | |
| 2008 Fortwo | 33 | 41 | $2,150 | 247 | 6/10 | 1L 3-cyl |
The 2018 Smart Fortwo gets 108 MPGe and costs about $700/yr to fuel — that's about $7,500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Fortwo | 124 | 94 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2017 Fortwo | 124 | 94 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2016 Fortwo | 122 | 93 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2015 Fortwo | 122 | 93 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2014 Fortwo | 122 | 93 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2013 Fortwo | 122 | 93 | $700 | — | 10/10 | Electric | |
| 2011 Fortwo | 94 | 79 | $900 | — | 10/10 | Electric |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Fortwo stacks up against the most fuel-efficient two-seaters, or calculate this Fortwo's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Smart Fortwo have? Power & range
The Smart Fortwo is offered with 2 powertrains — 0.9L 3-cyl, Electric. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3-cyl | 0.9L · 3-cyl | Automatic (AM6) | RWD | Premium |
| Electric | Electric motor | Single-speed | RWD | Electricity |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Smart Fortwo cost to own?
A used Smart Fortwo sells for a median of about $14,500 for a 2017 — most listed between $4,300 and $14,500, from 74 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Fortwo | $4,300–$14,500 | 3 | |
| 2016 Fortwo | $4,800–$10,577 | 4 | |
| 2015 Fortwo | $5,000–$8,999 | 15 | |
| 2014 Fortwo | $4,320–$7,995 | 8 | |
| 2013 Fortwo | $4,800–$8,900 | 12 | |
| 2012 Fortwo | $3,800–$5,600 | 7 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Fortwo is worth today, or browse used-market prices for electric cars.
A Smart Fortwo depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Fortwo loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $3,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Fortwo ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Smart Fortwo to insure?
A Smart Fortwo costs about $706 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 51% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (49, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Fortwo's HLDI loss index. See Smart insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Smart Fortwo safe?
The Smart Fortwo earns up to 4-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Fortwo | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a Smart Fortwo last?
A well-maintained Smart Fortwo typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Smart Fortwo’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Fortwo’s VIN free →All Smart Fortwo model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Smart Fortwo — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2025 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2024 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2023 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2022 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2021 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2020 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2019 Fortwo | 1 recall | — | |
| 2018 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2017 Fortwo | 1 recall | ★★★★☆ | |
| 2016 Fortwo | 1 recall | — | |
| 2015 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2014 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2013 Fortwo | 0 | — | |
| 2012 Fortwo | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2011 Fortwo | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2010 Fortwo | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2009 Fortwo | 3 recalls | — | |
| 2008 Fortwo | 3 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Fortwo?
By owner-complaint volume, 2008, 2009, 2011 drew the most reports. 2013, 2014, 2015 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Fortwo have?
17 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2008–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Smart recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the Fortwo get?
Up to 108 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Fortwo safe?
The Fortwo earns up to 4-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Fortwo last?
A well-maintained Fortwo typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Fortwo reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Fortwo is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Smart Fortwo warranty?
New Smart models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Smart dealer.
Where is the Smart Fortwo made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Fortwo's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Smart may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Fortwo have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.