2012 SMART FORTWO Problems, Recalls & Safety Rating

Overview of the 2012 SMART FORTWO

The 2012 SMART FORTWO has received a total of 11 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). 9 technical service bulletins have been issued by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (2 complaints), Electrical System (2 complaints), and Seat Belts (2 complaints).

Recalls for the 2012 SMART FORTWO

There are no recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 SMART FORTWO. No Active Recalls

Owner Complaints for the 2012 SMART FORTWO

11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 SMART FORTWO. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Air Bags

Complaints: 2 2 Crashes 3 Injuries

Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit

Vehicle Speed Control

Complaints: 1

Component	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries
Air Bags	2	2	3
Electrical System	2	0	0
Seat Belts	2	0	0
Engine	1	0	0
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit	1	0	0
Power Train	1	0	0
Structurebody	1	0	0
Vehicle Speed Control	1	0	0

Most Recent Complaints

#11447959 | SEAT BELTS | January 18, 2022 | N/A miles

The driver side seat belt mount, which in this case is a steel cable, has mostly broken and frayed rendering it unsafe to drive. In the event of an accident, it would certainly break completely. I only noticed it yesterday while cleaning, the breakage would've happened while driving it. I've contacted mercedes USA, and they tell me that my warranty has run out, they can't do anything. Even though this is a mandatory safety feature that has completely failed from normal use.

#11110785 | EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT | July 11, 2018 | 20,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 SMART FORTWO. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT TURN SIGNAL INDICATORS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOKEY MERCEDES-BENZ (19820 US HWY 19 N, CLEARWATER, FL) WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. *TT

#10966517 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | March 17, 2017 | 32,000 miles

TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO THREE BARS AND NOT SHIFT ON HIGHWAYS AND PARKWAYS, USUALLY ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE UNDER POWER TO SIDE OF ROAD SOMETIMES GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND HAVE TO COAST TO SIDE. OCCURS WITH ELEVATED AMBIENT MOISTURE. STARTED AT 32,000 MILES. KNOWN ISSUE, TRANSMISSION HAS A LIMP MODE FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, APPEARS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. SMART DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ADDRESS.

#10966517 | POWER TRAIN | March 17, 2017 | 32,000 miles

TRANSMISSION WILL GO INTO THREE BARS AND NOT SHIFT ON HIGHWAYS AND PARKWAYS, USUALLY ABLE TO SAFELY DRIVE UNDER POWER TO SIDE OF ROAD SOMETIMES GOES INTO NEUTRAL AND HAVE TO COAST TO SIDE. OCCURS WITH ELEVATED AMBIENT MOISTURE. STARTED AT 32,000 MILES. KNOWN ISSUE, TRANSMISSION HAS A LIMP MODE FOR THIS OCCURRENCE. VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE, APPEARS ELECTRICAL IN NATURE. SMART DEALERSHIP WILL NOT ADDRESS.

#10907130 | AIR BAGS | September 16, 2016 | 60,000 miles Crash 2 Injuries

VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER CAR ON INTERSTATE. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

View all Air Bags complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2012 SMART FORTWO

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 SMART FORTWO in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 SMART FORTWO

Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC has issued 9 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 SMART FORTWO. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

LI83.30-P-068109 — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

May 14, 2018

Condenser leaking

LI35.30-P-061135 — POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL

March 26, 2015

Slight leakage at right side shaft