Smart Fortwo Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Smart Fortwo model year (2008–2019) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Smart Fortwo Years to Avoid
1 recall · 125 complaints
6 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 145
0 recalls · 75 complaints
2 reported injuries
Top issue: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 79
2 recalls · 19 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 27
Best Smart Fortwo Years to Buy
0 recalls · 4 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 4
0 recalls · 6 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 6
0 recalls · 8 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 8
Found the right year? Verify that specific Fortwo with a free VIN report.
Smart Fortwo — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2018 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 0 | 4 | — | — | 4 | Excellent |
| 2016 | 2 | 19 | 1 | — | 27 | Good |
| 2015 | 0 | 10 | 1 | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2014 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 10 | Excellent |
| 2013 | 0 | 9 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2012 | 0 | 8 | — | — | 8 | Excellent |
| 2011 | 0 | 16 | 2 | — | 20 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 6 | — | — | 6 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 0 | 75 | 2 | — | 79 | Caution |
| 2008 | 1 | 125 | 6 | 1 | 145 | Avoid |
All 12 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Smart Fortwo Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2019Recent Fortwo models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2019 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade Fortwo units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Fortwo models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Fortwo should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2008 Smart Fortwo if possible. It has 1 recall, 125 owner complaints, and 1 reported death. The overall problem score is 145 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Fortwo to buy?+
The 2017 Smart Fortwo is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 4. It has only 0 recalls and 4 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Fortwo has the fewest problems?+
The 2017, 2010, 2012 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Smart Fortwo Research
Check a Specific Smart Fortwo VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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