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2012 smart Fortwo problems

The most common problem on the 2012 smart Fortwo is airbags. Its complaint count is close to a typical Fortwo model year.

Fewer complaintsAmong the best years of this model
Owner complaints
8
Recalls
0
Service bulletins
58
Worst area
Airbags
Fuel economy
36mpg

The worst 2012 smart Fortwo problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Airbags
    2
  • Electrical
    2
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Lights
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Technical service bulletins for the 2012 smart Fortwo 58

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 58 bulletins for the 2012 smart Fortwo

2012 smart Fortwo fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
1.0L 3‑cylRWD343836

What 2012 smart Fortwo owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 18, 2022 · Seat belts · NY

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.

Filed Jul 11, 2018 · Lights · 20,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Mar 17, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · 32,000 miles · FL

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.

Filed Sep 16, 2016 · Airbags · 60,000 miles · GA · crash · 2 injuries

Vehicle was hit from behind and pushed into another car on interstate. Air bags did not deploy.

Filed Sep 16, 2016 · Seat belts · 110,000 miles · GA

Driver side seat belt fails to buckle. Nothing lodged in buckle, but mechanism appears to be broken.

Filed Jun 16, 2016 · Body · 45,100 miles · UT

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 smart fortwo. While driving 60 MPH, the passenger side body panel disengaged without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,100.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Airbags · 5,200 miles · NV · crash · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 smart fortwo. While at a stop sign, another vehicle crashed into the rear of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the contact rear ended the preceding vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained back injuries, which required medical attention. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 5,200.

Filed Jul 22, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 2,500 miles · CA

I was driving on the freeway (5 lane) in my 2012 smart fortwo passion coupe in the middle lane at 65-70 MPH. All of the sudden my accelerator was no longer functional. I looked down and saw that my speedometer and gear indicator were also non-functional. I was able to coast (despite heavy traffic) to the shoulder of the fast lane - it was impossible for me to get to the slow lane shoulder due to heavy traffic. I was able to use the breaks once I hit the shoulder (unsure if power brakes or not) and once stopped was unable to use automatic windows. I could not move the car out of drive for approximately two minutes. After 2 minutes I tried again to move the car out of drive and was able to put it in park. At that point I was able to re-start the car and accelerate enough to get back on the freeway. I consider myself very lucky to have been able to reach the shoulder (as it ended about 200 yards down the freeway). The experience was absolutely terrifying.

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Questions about the 2012 smart Fortwo

Is the 2012 smart Fortwo reliable?

Owners have filed 8 complaints about the 2012 smart Fortwo, close to a typical Fortwo model year.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 smart Fortwo?

Airbags, with 2 complaints. Next is electrical (2).

How many recalls does the 2012 smart Fortwo have?

No recalls on record.

What gas mileage does the 2012 smart Fortwo get?

Official estimates for the 2012 smart Fortwo range from 36 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.0L 3-cyl, RWD) gets 34 city and 38 highway.

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