The Power Electronics Control Unit (ECM), Part No. A453-900-72-11, and the DC-to-DC converter have both failed, rendering this all-electric vehicle completely inoperable. There is no backup propulsion system. The DC-to-DC converter powers safety-critical systems including lighting, turn signals, and hazard flashers — its failure could cause loss of safety-critical functions while driving. Total repair estimate is $20,560.43. The manufacturer Mercedes-Benz USA denied warranty coverage using a Canadian warranty document for the wrong vehicle model. MBUSA has shut down the Smart warranty portal at the dealer level and their website returns no warranty data for Smart vehicles despite active warranty obligations. Smart exited the US market and MBUSA appears to have abandoned warranty support while warranties remain active.
The worst 2017 smart Fortwo problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical4
- Steering2
- Engine1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical4
- Steering2
- Engine1
- Lights1
- Seat belts1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Recalls 1
Steering
- What is wrong
- Mercedes-Benz USA LLC. (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2017 smart fortwo and smart fortwo Cabriolet vehicles. Casting imperfections may result in the failure of the left front axle steering knuckle.
- Risk
- Failure of the left front axle steering knuckle could affect vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left front axle steering knuckle, replacing any from the affected batch, free of charge. The recall October 13, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1‑877‑496‑3691.
Recall number 17V447000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2017 smart Fortwo
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2017 smart Fortwo 63
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the...
- In our continuing efforts to assure the proper performance of Mercedes-Benz products and to enhance the...
- Mercedes-Benz AG (“MBAG”), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain...
- Complaint Repeat workshop visit for vehicle vibration while braking from 60MPH. NOTE: Although the symptom...
- Complaint Clanking noise from the area of the speakers in the doors
- Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the outboard end)
- Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper wiping performance:...
- Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged
- Complaint The following symptoms with electrical range: • Displayed electrical range is implausible for...
- Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off (audible at the...
2017 smart Fortwo fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.9L 3‑cyl | RWD | 31-33 | 38-39 | 34-35 |
| Electric motor Electric 58 mi range | RWD | 112-124 | 91-94 | 102-108 MPGe |
What 2017 smart Fortwo owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Driver Side front wheel / maybe steering rack / etc. makes loud grinding / rubbing sound when making turn only when the weather's hot and humid and when the car has been running for about 20 min How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Noise / rubbing / grinding sound comes from the driver side front wheels or Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes, Service center reproduced the sound and went two levels deep to try and ascertain the origin but to no avail. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? YES Has been inspected multiple times by different mechanics costing hundreds of dollars with still no diagnostic or remedy. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No lamps or warning lights prior to problem which was first heard / discovered around 2019
The car won't charge over 20% due probably a faulty manufacturer part of N83 high voltage control box. This could cause very serious electrical/battery issues if the high voltage box is faulty.
Seat belts do not retract. There were couple of times while in transit on city road, I had to apply brake suddenly and seat belt fail to engage to hold the passenger back . All the time , both seat belts do not retract to their home position when not in use and car is stopped and parked, this caused dents to the car's body and frame around the door when we close the doors. I reported to the local mercedes dealer september 2018. In december, they could only replace the driver side seat belt. The passenger side's belt has been claimed to be backed order till now. I have called numerous times to follow up for the repair and I am still waiting for over 6 months for this faulty seat belt to be repaired. I don't feel safe to drive my car. I lease this new car since october 2017 and the safety issue happened only within a year.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart for two. While the vehicle was in reverse, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The rear exterior lighting and rear wiper warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to garage isla verde llc (located at ave, baldorioty de castro km 10.3, pr 00979, (787) 620-1313), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 2,334. **tr consumer comment in spanish. Updated 10/30/18
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart fortwo. The contact stated that the vehicle did not fully charge to the manufacturer recommended mileage range. In addition, in cold weather conditions, the mileage of the vehicle dropped approximately 10 MPH on the instrument panel. Mercedes-benz of boston (259 mcgrath hwy, somerville, ma) and the manufacturer were contacted in regards to diagnostic testing. The technician informed the contact that the vehicle operated as intended. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 smart fortwo. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 17v447000 (steering); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Mercedes-benz of south bay (3311 pacific coast hwy, torrence, ca) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Compare the 2017 smart Fortwo
Other model years
Questions about the 2017 smart Fortwo
Is the 2017 smart Fortwo reliable?
Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2017 smart Fortwo, close to a typical Fortwo model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2017 smart Fortwo?
Electrical system, with 4 complaints. Next is steering (2).
How many recalls does the 2017 smart Fortwo have?
1 recall, covering steering.
What year does the smart Fortwo have the most electrical problems?
The smart Fortwo model years with the most electrical complaints are 2008 (20 complaints) and 2009 (14 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2017 smart Fortwo get?
Official estimates for the 2017 smart Fortwo range from 34 to 35 mpg combined. The most efficient version (0.9L 3-cyl, RWD) gets 31-33 city and 38-39 highway.
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