Smart Fortwo problems (2014–2024)

We have documented 2 engines for the Smart Fortwo; the 0.9 TCe has high or critical severity faults. None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 1.0 SCe (B4D), with a «With caution» verdict. Away from the engine, the Smart Fortwo (C453) has no chronic faults documented in the sources we were able to open, but it does have several preventive recalls from Safety Gate and the DVSA: handbrake, front steering knuckle, automatic gearbox selector, front cover and the EQ roof. ADAC statistics add the 12 V battery on 2015 to 2017 units.

Among the 2 engines we have documented, none has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the 1.0 SCe (B4D), with a «With caution» verdict. No 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.^[1][2][3]

Away from the engine, the Smart Fortwo (C453) has no chronic faults documented in the sources we were able to open, but it does have several preventive recalls from Safety Gate and the DVSA: handbrake, front steering knuckle, automatic gearbox selector, front cover and the EQ roof. ADAC statistics add the 12 V battery on 2015 to 2017 units. The most important documented faults are: front left steering knuckle with insufficient strength (2017 recall) (suspension, critical severity), adhesive bond on the 2020 EQ Fortwo roof: the roof may come off (bodywork and interior, critical severity), handbrake: the lever gains travel due to cable adjustment and may not hold the car (brakes, high severity) and automatic gearbox selector: the parking lock (P) may not engage and the car can roll away (gearbox and clutch, high severity).^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

The most important by severity and frequency, on the engines we have documented, are: coolant leak at the thermostat housing (0.9 TCe, high severity), timing chain or tensioner failure (0.9 TCe, critical severity), clutch that slips or judders, especially when cold (1.0 SCe (B4D), medium severity), jerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coils (1.0 SCe (B4D), medium severity) and turbocharger wear or failure (0.9 TCe, high severity).

According to our rating by year, the best are 2019 and 2018 (7.9/10); the worst rated is 2014 (6.5/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Yes: we have documented 11 campaigns for the Smart Fortwo, such as safety Gate alert 29/2021: Smart EQ Fortwo roof adhesive bond (2021). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.^[7]