2017 smart fortwo
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 4 of 7 complaints (57%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 22 in 2016 to 7 in 2017.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | vs. 2017 Two Seaters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,150 | 2,200–2,300 | 2,200–2,300 | 700–750 | 700–750 | |
| Combined MPG/MPGe | 36 | 34–35 | 34–35 | 102–108 | 102–108 | |
| City / Highway MPG/MPGe | 34 / 38 | 31–33 / 39 | 31–33 / 38–39 | 112–124 / 91–94 | 112–124 / 91–94 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 244 | 246–255 | 248–258 | 0 | 0 | |
| Complaints filed | 8 | 22 | 7 | 1 | 1 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 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 2017 smart fortwo have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2017 smart fortwo?
Electrical: 4 of 7 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2017 smart fortwo get?
EPA rates it 34–35 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 smart fortwo?
EPA estimates $2,200–$2,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (AM6) | 3 | 0.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 33 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (low) | 35 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 251 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 3 | 0.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 31 mpg (low) | 38 mpg (low) | 34 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 258 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (AM6) | 3 | 0.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 33 mpg (high) | 39 mpg (high) | 35 mpg (high) | $2,200 (low) | 248 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 3 | 0.9L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters | 31 mpg (low) | 39 mpg (high) | 34 mpg (low) | $2,300 (high) | 257 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Two Seaters | 124 MPGe | 94 MPGe | 108 MPGe | $700 | 0 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (A1) | — | — | Rear-Wheel Drive | Electricity | Two Seaters | 112 MPGe | 91 MPGe | 102 MPGe | $750 | 0 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 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 (1)
STEERING · Campaign 17V447000 · Jul 18, 2017
Defect: 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.
Consequence: Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.