2012 Smart fortwo problems, recalls, safety rating, MPG & value

Q: What is the 2012 Smart fortwo safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Smart fortwo crash-test ratings of rollover 3★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

Q: What gas mileage does the 2012 Smart fortwo get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Smart fortwo at about 36 mpg combined (34 city / 38 highway).

Q: How much is a 2012 Smart fortwo worth?

Comparable 2012 Smart fortwo listings run roughly $5,000–$7,750, typically around $6,210 (from 154 vehicles).

2012 Smart fortwo at a glance

Safety recallsNone

Owner complaints8

Combined36 mpg

Typical price$6,210

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Smart fortwo recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2012 Smart fortwo.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Smart fortwo common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Seat Belts

Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

Electrical System

Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

Air Bags

Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

Exterior Lighting

Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

Power Train

Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.

Structure

Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.

2012 Smart fortwo safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Smart Fortwo 2 DR RWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Smart fortwo MPG & running costs

Combined36 mpg

City34 mpg

Highway38 mpg

Est. annual fuel cost$2,100

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Smart fortwo worth?

Low

$5,000

Typical price

$6,210

High

$7,750

From 154 comparable 2012 Smart fortwo listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Smart fortwo costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$10,500

Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,450

Total$12,950

Per mile$0.17

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,210) with the same model 4 model-years older ($4,270), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.