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2017 Smart Fortwo
Limited data: few reports on file, read the verdict loosely
Too few owner complaints are on file to affirm this car. Treat it as unproven, not endorsed, and lean hard on a professional pre-purchase inspection.
9 owner complaints · 1 recalls · data verified July 22, 2026 · source: NHTSA
What the record shows so far
Only 9 owner complaints on file for this exact model year, too few to judge long-term reliability. Treat this as unproven, not endorsed, and lean on a professional inspection.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2017 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 15%
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Smart Fortwo, plotted where owners report it happening.
Electrical system
44%4 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“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 h…”
Transmission & drivetrain
22%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“THE CAR HAS A INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. WHEN SHIFTED THE TRANSMISSION LEVER TO THE REVERSE POSITION THE SHIFT INDICATOR ON THE INFORMATION CENTE…”
Steering
22%2 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 SMART FORTWO. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V447000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UN…”
Seat belts
22%2 complaints
“PASSENGER SEAT BELT STOP SECURING THE BUCKLE NO APPARENT REASON”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Recalls (1)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Steering · 17V447000
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.
Fix: 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.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Smart before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 Smart Fortwo. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Smart FORTWO beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Fortwo model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Smart Fortwo against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.