Smart Forfour 1.0 SCe (B4D) 52 hp problems
The Smart Forfour used the 1.0 SCe (B4D) from 2014 to 2019 (1.0 52 kW (71 CV)). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “clutch that slips or judders, especially when cold” (medium severity, occasional). Our verdict: “With caution”. It is the safest option among the documented engines of the Smart Forfour.
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Engine score on this car
7.7 out of 10Good reliability
Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Forfour. How we calculate it
Overall score for the Smart Forfour
6.1 out of 10Acceptable reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
1.0 SCe (B4D)
Safest optionRenault 1.0 SCe (B4D) · Petrol
- In the Forfour
- 2014–2019[1]
- Name
- 1.0 52 kW (71 CV)
- Faults that affect it
- 4
Verdict for the version it uses
1.0 SCe 70/75 (B4D, 2014-2024)2014–2024 · 70–75 hp · B4D
With cautionNo serious or systemic fault is documented in the reliability sources consulted (117 combined reviews across the three cars). It is worth checking the clutch, with a pattern of slipping or juddering when cold cited independently on the Dacia Sandero II, the Dacia Logan II and the Renault Twingo III, and, in the specific case of the Sandero II, keeping an eye on oil consumption.[2][3][4]
Faults that affect the Forfour
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalClutchClutch that slips or judders, especially when coldThe 1.0 SCe can have a clutch that slips or judders, especially with a cold engine. It is the issue that recurs most in the sources consulted, documented independently on the Sandero II, the Logan II and the Twingo III, without being described as a fault that damages the engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronicsJerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coilsThe 1.0 SCe can jerk, run unevenly or light up the engine fault warning light because of sensor faults (lambda sensor), ignition coils or injection management. It is a recurring but minority issue in the sources consulted, unrelated to a mechanical problem with the engine block.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationHigher-than-normal oil consumption (especially on the Dacia Sandero II)The Dacia Sandero II with the 1.0 SCe can use more oil than normal, with one documented case of 750 ml every 5,000 km; on the Dacia Logan II and the Renault Twingo III with the same engine this problem is not described in a comparable proportion.
- Low severityFrequency: RareTimingChain-driven timing: no documented pattern of faultsUnlike engines with a timing belt, the 1.0 SCe barely records any mentions of the timing in the sources consulted: 1 case out of 117 combined reviews of the Sandero II, the Logan II and the Twingo III, with no further detail. It is not a fault that we can document as a pattern on this engine.
What to check before buying a used Smart Forfour 1.0 SCe (B4D) 52 hp
Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.
If it has the 1.0 SCe (B4D) (2014–2019)
Other engines and gearboxes of the Smart Forfour
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
Faults of the Smart Forfour outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionFront left hub carrier with insufficient strength (2017 campaign)A Safety Gate alert (41/2017) and the DVSA cover Forfours and Fortwos built between March and June 2017 whose front left hub carrier may lack the necessary strength and break, with loss of control. It is checked and replaced if necessary at an official dealer.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalBrakesHandbrake: the lever gains travel because of the cable adjustment and may not hold the carYes: a Safety Gate alert (39/2017) covers type 453 Forfours built between November 2014 and October 2015 because the cable adjustment part of the parking brake weakens and the lever gains travel, so the brake may not apply the necessary force. It is checked at an official dealer.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyRear seat backrest anchorage with insufficient strength in a frontal crashIn 2016 Safety Gate published an alert (A12/0766/16) because the rear seat backrest anchorage of the Forfour, built from September 2014 to December 2015, may not withstand a frontal crash with a heavy load behind it. The backrest could come loose and fold forwards.
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalGearbox and clutchGear selector bowden cable that can come loose and stop P engaging or disengagingThe DVSA lists a recall (R/2016/198) over the gear selector bowden cable, which can come loose and stop the P position engaging or disengaging, with a risk of the car rolling. It affects Forfours and Fortwos from April 2016, 49 vehicles in the UK.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical system12 V battery: a common reason for roadside assistance on 2015 to 2017 ForfoursThe German ADAC's breakdown statistics, reproduced by car-recalls.eu, point to the battery as a typical weak point of 2015 to 2017 Forfours, the first years of the W453 generation. The source gives neither the cause nor the cost.
Buying a Smart Forfour 1.0 SCe (B4D) 52 hp?
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The Smart Forfour has 6 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the Smart Forfour 1.0 SCe (B4D) 52 hp reliable?
The Smart Forfour used the 1.0 SCe (B4D) from 2014 to 2019 (1.0 52 kW (71 CV)). 4 documented faults affect it; the most important is “clutch that slips or judders, especially when cold” (medium severity, occasional). Our verdict: “With caution”. It is the safest option among the documented engines of the Smart Forfour.
What faults does the Smart Forfour 1.0 SCe (B4D) 52 hp have?
The documented ones that affect this car are: clutch that slips or judders, especially when cold (medium severity), jerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coils (medium severity), higher-than-normal oil consumption (especially on the Dacia Sandero II) (low severity) and chain-driven timing: no documented pattern of faults (low severity).
Which engine should you choose for the Smart Forfour?
None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 1.0 SCe (B4D), with a «With caution» verdict.
Own a Smart Forfour 1.0 SCe (B4D) 52 hp? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Mercedes-Benz M281 engine (applications)Wikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Twingo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French