2016 smart fortwo: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 smart fortwo at 34–35 mpg combined (gas versions) and 107 MPGe combined with 68 miles of EPA-rated range across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
34–35
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORTWO COUPE.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a smart dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 smart fortwo recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 smart fortwo, newest first.
Parking brake
NHTSA 17V448000Reported Jul 16, 2017
Filed by
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 2017080009)
Units affected
5,061 (estimate)
Problem
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 smart fortwo vehicles. In these vehicles, the lock nut that secures the parking brake cable to the parking brake lever may loosen over time, resulting in increased parking brake lever travel before the parking brake engages.
Risk
As the parking brake lever travel increases, the holding force may decrease to a point where the vehicle is no longer safely secured in all parking situations, allowing the vehicle to unexpectedly move when parked on a slope, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will replace the parking brake cable lock nut, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2017. Owners may contact smart customer service at 1-877-496-3691.
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA) is recalling certain 2016 Smart Fortwo vehicles. The horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism on these vehicles may not have been properly sealed off to prevent future adjustment. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk
If the headlight can be adjusted horizontally, the headlight may be adjusted outside of the designed specifications, reducing the driver's visibility and potentially blinding oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
MBUSA will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct sealing caps to prevent the headlights from being adjusted horizontally, free of charge. The recall began September 8, 2017. Owners may contact MBUSA customer service at 1-800-367-6372.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 smart fortwo fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination; electric figures are in MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent). Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 smart fortwo crash-test ratings
We did not find NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 smart fortwo (checked Oct 26, 2026). NHTSA does not test every model every year; see nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 smart fortwo owner complaints
Owners have filed 22 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 smart fortwo, most recently on Mar 9, 2026. 5 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 7 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 smart fortwo complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Engine
8
Fuel/propulsion system
7
Electrical system
5
Service brakes
5
Unknown or other
3
Steering
2
Structure: Body
2
Engine and engine cooling: Exhaust system
1
Equipment: Appliance: Air conditioner
1
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
