2013 Smart FORTWO

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Smart FORTWO has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is seats/restraints problems (26% of all complaints), specifically: the 2013 smart fortwo pure edition (base model) seat belt restraint system malfunctions. when the driver leans forward to look out either side window to check for oncoming traffic the seat belt becomes loose and will not retract into the guide unless it is hand fed. this also remains true for the pa. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

SEATS/RESTRAINTS

9 complaints

26%

• THE 2013 SMART FORTWO PURE EDITION (BASE MODEL) SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DRIVER LEANS FORWARD TO LOOK OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE SEAT BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE GUIDE UNLESS IT IS HAND FED. THIS ALSO REMAINS TRUE FOR THE PA
• THE 2013 SMART FORTWO PURE EDITION (BASE MODEL) SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DRIVER LEANS FORWARD TO LOOK OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE SEAT BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE GUIDE UNLESS IT IS HAND FED. THIS ALSO REMAINS TRUE FOR THE PA
• LEFT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS CONNECTED BY A CABLE TO THE CAR BODY. WE DISCOVERED THAT THE CABLE HAD FAILED AND ONLY A COUPLE OF STRANDS WERE HOLDING THE SEAT BELT TO THE CAR. MY WIFE DISCOVERED IT BY ACCIDENT WHEN GETTING OUT OF THE CAR. PHOTOS ATTACHED. MERCEDES CHARGED ME $450 TO REPLACE SE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE 2013 SMART FORTWO PURE EDITION (BASE MODEL) SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DRIVER LEANS FORWARD TO LOOK OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE SEAT BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE GUIDE UNLESS IT IS HAND FED. THIS ALSO REMAINS TRUE FOR THE PA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

6 complaints

17%

• I WAS ON THE ONRAMP TO A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH SO THAT I COULD MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S MOMENTUM. LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH FAST ONCOMING TR
• I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER AND THE CAR SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. I HAD TO COAST OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE, STOP AND TURN THE CAR ON IN THE RIGHT LANE. *TR
• ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BRIEFLY AND WENT OFF. WITHIN ONE MILE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. AS I SLOWED TO A STOP, A LARGE CLOUD OF STEAM ERUPTED. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH AND MOST OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION OF LACK OF WARNING LAMPS. A SECOND TWO WEEK TRIP TO THE DEALER WAS NEEDED TO

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

“I WAS ON THE ONRAMP TO A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH SO THAT I COULD MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S MOMENTUM. LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH FAST ONCOMING TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TRANSMISSION

5 complaints

14%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HESITATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CHANGE GE
• TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN PARK AND SOMETIMES SEEMS LIKE IT STRUGGLES TO CHANGE GEARS.
• THIS CAR IS AN EV. WATER IN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, WILL NOT LET THE CAR RECHARGE. WATER AND MUD IN THE 12V POWER CABLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE BATTERY PACK HAS CAUSED A 12V POWER CABLE FITTING TO CRACK. BOTH OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE CAR. THESE PROBLEMS WILL NOT LET THE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HESITATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CHANGE GE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

• I BOUGHT A KIT TO TOW A SMART CAR WITH MY RV. THERE ARE 2 BRACKETS THAT AFTER INSTALLATION THEY WILL BE ONLY 0.236" AWAY FROM THE FRONT TIRES DURING TURNINGS. I CONSIDER THIS ISTALLATION AS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. I DIDN'T INSTALL THIS KIT AND CONTACTED DISTRIBUITOR AND MANUFAC
• ON FRIDAY FEBRUARY 16TH WHEN TRYING TO START MY 2013 SMART FORTWO BRABUS, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD STARTED FLICKING, SMOKE STARTED TO COME OUT FROM THE AC VENTS, THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND EXPLODED, FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED TO BE AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET AT T
• REGARDING LIGHTNING: WATER/HUMIDITY HAD ACCESS TO THE SAM UNIT AND THE RIGHT-SIDE SIGNALS/STOP LIGHT STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. REGARDING BODY/OTHER: SOME OF THE CONVERTIBLE-ROOF STEEL FRAME/BARS GOT BENT WHEN CLOSING THE TOP AND THE BENT BARS WOULD

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

“I BOUGHT A KIT TO TOW A SMART CAR WITH MY RV. THERE ARE 2 BRACKETS THAT AFTER INSTALLATION THEY WILL BE ONLY 0.236" AWAY FROM THE FRONT TIRES DURING TURNINGS. I CONSIDER THIS ISTALLATION AS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. I DIDN'T INSTALL THIS KIT AND CONTACTED DISTRIBUITOR AND MANUFAC”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

3 complaints

• ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BRIEFLY AND WENT OFF. WITHIN ONE MILE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. AS I SLOWED TO A STOP, A LARGE CLOUD OF STEAM ERUPTED. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH AND MOST OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION OF LACK OF WARNING LAMPS. A SECOND TWO WEEK TRIP TO THE DEALER WAS NEEDED TO
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BURNING ODOR AND OBSERVED SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THAT THE BATTERY CASING MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CHARGING AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE V
• Software for power control module is not correspond to the series level Software configuration. Basically it doesn't want to take charge due to the Software issues from manufacturer.

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

“ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED BRIEFLY AND WENT OFF. WITHIN ONE MILE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. AS I SLOWED TO A STOP, A LARGE CLOUD OF STEAM ERUPTED. CAR WAS IN SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH AND MOST OF THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED. NO EXPLANATION OF LACK OF WARNING LAMPS. A SECOND TWO WEEK TRIP TO THE DEALER WAS NEEDED TO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: THE 2013 SMART FORTWO PURE EDITION (BASE MODEL) SEAT BELT RESTRAINT SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS. WHEN THE DRIVER LEANS FORWARD TO LOOK OUT EITHER SIDE WINDOW TO CHECK FOR ONCOMING TRAFFIC THE SEAT BELT BECOMES LOOSE AND WILL NOT RETRACT INTO THE GUIDE UNLESS IT IS HAND FED. THIS ALSO REMAINS TRUE FOR THE PA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: I WAS ON THE ONRAMP TO A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 50 MPH SO THAT I COULD MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN. ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER BEFORE THE VEHICLE LOST IT'S MOMENTUM. LUCKILY I DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH FAST ONCOMING TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TRANSMISSION: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MOTOR HESITATED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS SLOW TO RESPOND AND ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE SPARK PLUGS, BRAKES, AND ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO CHANGE GE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I BOUGHT A KIT TO TOW A SMART CAR WITH MY RV. THERE ARE 2 BRACKETS THAT AFTER INSTALLATION THEY WILL BE ONLY 0.236" AWAY FROM THE FRONT TIRES DURING TURNINGS. I CONSIDER THIS ISTALLATION AS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE DURING NORMAL DRIVING. I DIDN'T INSTALL THIS KIT AND CONTACTED DISTRIBUITOR AND MANUFAC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)