Smart Fortwo: which model years draw the most owner complaints?
346 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Smart Fortwo, model years 2005 to 2019. One model year stands out for the engine or transmission: 2008 (engine). Counts of unverified owner reports, compared only with other years of the same model; not failure rates.
Complaints by model year
| MODEL YEAR | COMPLAINTS | VS OTHER YEARS | STANDS OUT | RECALLS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 2 | — | 0 | |
| 2008 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 140 | engine | 2 | |
| 2009 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 100 | — | 1 | |
| 2010 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 0 | |
| 2011 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 16 | — | 0 | |
| 2012 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 8 | — | 0 | |
| 2013 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 25 | — | 0 | |
| 2014 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 13 | — | 0 | |
| 2015 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 6 | — | 0 | |
| 2016 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 21 | — | 1 | |
| 2017 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 7 | — | 1 | |
| 2018 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 0 | |
| 2019 FortwoFEW REPORTS | 1 | — | 1 |
"Stands out" = 40 or more complaints naming that system and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share seen across every vehicle of that model year. Newer years have had less time on the road. "Quiet" ranks only years with 7+ years on the road and 20+ complaints. NHTSA data through November 2026.
Check your Fortwo at your mileage
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Source: NHTSA public complaints, recalls, service bulletin and investigation databases, data received through November 2026. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not failure rates: sales volumes are unknown, so a model year is only compared with other years of the same model. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Year pages: