The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 9 of 22 complaints (41%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 8 in 2015 to 22 in 2016.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 22
- Recall campaigns
- 2
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,200–$2,300
- Combined MPG
- 34–35
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150 | 2,150 | 2,200–2,300 | 2,200–2,300 | 700–750 | |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 36 | 36 | 34–35 | 34–35 | 102–108 | |
| City / Highway MPG/MPGe | 34 / 38 | 34 / 38 | 31–33 / 39 | 31–33 / 38–39 | 112–124 / 91–94 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 243 | 244 | 246–255 | 248–258 | 0 | |
| Complaints filed | 13 | 8 | 22 | 7 | 1 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 smart fortwo have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 smart fortwo?
Engine: 9 of 22 NHTSA complaints (41%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 smart fortwo get?
EPA rates it 34–35 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 smart fortwo?
EPA estimates $2,200–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Two Seaters | 122 MPGe | 93 MPGe | 107 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Two Seaters | 122 MPGe | 93 MPGe | 107 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM6) | 3 | 0.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 33 mpg (high) | 39 mpg | 35 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 246 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 3 | 0.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 31 mpg (low) | 39 mpg | 34 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 255 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
PARKING BRAKE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
- Defect
- Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Smart Fortwo vehicles. The horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism on these vehicles may not have been properly sealed off to prevent future adjustment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Consequence
- If the headlight can be adjusted horizontally, the headlight may be adjusted outside of the designed specifications, reducing the driver's visibility and potentially blinding oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct sealing caps to prevent the headlights from being adjusted horizontally, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.