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2017 smart fortwo

ElectricGas

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

Safety Signal

92 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns1

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA9

Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★

EV rangebest configuration, EPA58 mi

Fuel economybest combined, EPA35 mpg

2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2017 smart fortwo is sold in the U.S. as a electric and gas sports car with 6 EPA-rated configurations. Its longest-range version, the fortwo electric drive coupe, is EPA-rated at 58 miles with 108 MPGe combined efficiency. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of A. Owners have filed 9 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

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 coupe	Electric	RWD	60 KW AC Synchronous	124	94	108 MPGe	58 mi	31	3 h	$700
fortwo electric drive convertible	Electric	RWD	60 KW AC Synchronous	112	91	102 MPGe	57 mi	33	3 h	$750
fortwo cabriolet	Gas	RWD	0.9L 3-cyl turbo	33	38	35	—	—	—	$2,200
fortwo coupe	Gas	RWD	0.9L 3-cyl turbo	33	39	35	—	—	—	$2,200
fortwo cabriolet	Gas	RWD	0.9L 3-cyl turbo	31	38	34	—	—	—	$2,300
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: 39192, 39603, 37873, 38461, 37874, 38462.

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Recalls (1)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Steering

2017090002

110 vehicles

ProblemMercedes-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.RiskFailure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.FixMBUSA 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.

NHTSA campaign 17V447000reported Jul 14, 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

9complaints filed

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 3 · 2018: 2 · 2019: 1 · 2023: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Electrical System4

Seat Belts2

Steering2

Power Train1

Visibility/Wiper1

Exterior Lighting1

What owners describe

“The Power Electronics Control Unit (ECM), Part No. A453-900-72-11, and the DC-to-DC converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. There is no backup propulsion system. The DC-to-DC converter powers safety-critical systems including lighting, turn signals, and hazard flashers â€”…”Apr 8, 2026 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

“What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Driver Side front wheel / maybe steering rack / etc. makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min How was your safety or the…”May 15, 2025 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

“The car won't charge over 20% due probably a faulty manufacturer part of N83 high voltage control box. This could cause very serious electrical/battery issues if the high voltage box is faulty.”Jul 28, 2023 · Electrical System · 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

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
2 DR RWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	15%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other fortwo model years

2019 smart fortwo

1 recalls · 1 complaints

2018 smart fortwo

0 recalls · 1 complaints

2016 smart fortwo

2 recalls · 22 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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