Is the 2010 Smart FORTWO reliable?

The 2010 Smart FORTWO has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Smart FORTWO?

Top problems: ENGINE (3 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints, avg repair $500); TRANSMISSION (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Smart FORTWO?

No recalls have been issued for the 2010 Smart FORTWO.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2010 Smart FORTWO?

The 2010 Smart FORTWO gets 36 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1333. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Smart FORTWO?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Smart FORTWO is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Smart FORTWO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2010 Smart FORTWO has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.6x the segment average of 14. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2010 smart fortwo. while driving approximately 7 mph, the vehicle stalled. the contact was able to restart the vehicle and it resumed normal operation. the failure occurred four times. the vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was . ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

ENGINE

3 complaints

38%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS
• 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) W
• 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 COMP

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2010 Smart FORTWO

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,334

Per month

$111

Per mile

11.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$1,455/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,171/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Smart FORTWO

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 7 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: SMART CAR REPEATEDLY CUTS ENGINE POWER DURING ACCELERATION. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: 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
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: 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 871
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)