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2016 smart fortwo

ElectricGas

Two Seaters
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns2

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA22

Crash ratingNHTSA overall—

EV rangebest configuration, EPA68 mi

Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg

2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2016 smart fortwo is sold in the U.S. as a electric and gas sports car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the fortwo electric drive convertible, is EPA-rated at 68 miles with 107 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 22 complaints, most often about the engine.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Range	kWh/100mi	Charge (240V)	Annual fuel*
fortwo electric drive convertible	Electric	RWD	55 kW DCPM	122	93	107 MPGe	68 mi	31.5	6 h	$700
fortwo electric drive coupe	Electric	RWD	55 kW DCPM	122	93	107 MPGe	68 mi	31.5	6 h	$700
fortwo coupe	Gas	RWD	0.9L 3-cyl turbo	33	39	35	—	—	—	$2,200
fortwo coupe	Gas	RWD	0.9L 3-cyl turbo	31	39	34	—	—	—	$2,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 36860, 36861, 36934, 36935.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Parking Brake

2017080009

5,061 vehicles

ProblemMercedes-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.RiskAs 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.FixMBUSA 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.

NHTSA campaign 17V448000reported Jul 16, 2017Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

▲high

Exterior Lighting

2,213 vehicles

ProblemMercedes-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."RiskIf 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.FixMBUSA 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.

NHTSA campaign 17V179000reported Mar 16, 2017Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC.

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

22complaints filed

5 involved a crash · 2 a fire · 7 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2016: 5 · 2017: 2 · 2018: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 1 · 2024: 2 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Engine8

Fuel/Propulsion System7

Electrical System5

Service Brakes5

Unspecified3

Structure2

What owners describe

“I have had it for 6 years. And it has been in for repair, at least 7 times in those somewhere around one time per year. Sometimes twice. All for heating 3 times same piece not sure what to do but it always has to do with no heat to car or overheating my insurance through carmax bout to end gonna cost me alot to keep it…”Mar 9, 2026 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

“Car shuts down while driving. This happens usually after quick stops or sudden starts like at a red light or when a car suddenly stops on front of me. I have had this issue happen to me several times. I have tried contacting Mercedes-Benz and the dealership where I bought tge car but they do nothing. I need help gettin…”Jul 4, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

“The contact owns a 2016 Smart ForTwo. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated with a loud whirring noise. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the air intake changeover valves had failed. The independent mechanic adv…”Apr 29, 2024 · Engine · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other fortwo model years

2019 smart fortwo

1 recalls · 1 complaints

2018 smart fortwo

0 recalls · 1 complaints

2017 smart fortwo

1 recalls · 9 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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