VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Smart Fortwo2008–2019
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Smart Fortwo
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Smart Fortwo Years to Avoid
1 recall · 125 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE
0 recalls · 75 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
2 recalls · 19 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Smart Fortwo — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 83 | 94 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 100 | 77 | 92 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 4 | — | — | 96 | 70 | 87 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 2 | 19 | 1 | — | 71 | 63 | 68 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 10 | 1 | — | 90 | 56 | 78 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 90 | 50 | 76 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 9 | — | — | 91 | 45 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 8 | — | — | 92 | 41 | 74 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 16 | 2 | — | 83 | 38 | 67 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 94 | 38 | 74 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 0 | 75 | 2 | — | 69 | 38 | 58 | Caution |
| 2008 | 1 | 125 | 6 | 1 | 54 | 38 | 48 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Smart Fortwo Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the Fortwo compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2019 (Buyer Score 94).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 87).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year Fortwo to buy?+
The 2017 Smart Fortwo scores highest on our Buyer Score (87/100) — combining a reliability score of 96/100 with a value score of 70/100. It has 0 recalls and 4 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which Fortwo years have the most problems?+
The 2008, 2009, 2016 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2008 Fortwo leads with 1 recalls and 125 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common Fortwo problems?+
The most frequently reported Smart Fortwo issues involve: ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.