Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Fortwo.
The 2017 Smart Fortwo remains one of the most compact passenger cars on the road, built on a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive platform that pairs a modest three-cylinder powerplant with a six-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-estimated 35 mpg in combined driving. With just 4.5 quarts of oil needed for a full change, its diminutive size extends to maintenance simplicity, though its nine owner complaints—primarily tied to electrical system quirks—hint at the occasional quirks of its urban-focused design. A single recall for this model year underscores a relatively trouble-free run, especially when viewed against the Fortwo’s broader history, where 2017 sits as a notably reliable midpoint between the high-complaint 2008 model and the nearly flawless 2019 iteration. For researchers, this year represents a stable, low-issue entry in the nameplate’s later lifecycle.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
| Engine air filter | 2810900600 |
| Spark plug | 2811590003 |
| Battery | 4539820008 alt 4539820200 |
| Front wiper blades | 4538242100 |
| Thermostat | 2812010180 alt 2812030161 |
| Cabin air filter | 4538350300 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AM6) |
| Overall length | 106.3 in |
| Overall width | 65.4 in |
| Overall height | 61.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 73.6 in |
| Curb weight | 2050 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 56.7 / 55.9 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 45/55 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 33 / 38 / 35 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the Fortwo of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Electric Drive Passion Coupe Elec 60-kW 17.6-kWh | 9.00 sec | 17.00 sec | 80 hp | RWD |
| 2017 | Passion Cabriolet 0.9L Turbo I-3 | 10.20 sec | 17.70 sec | 89 hp | RWD |
| 2017 | Electric Drive Prime Coupe Elec 60-kW 17.6-kWh | 10.30 sec | 17.80 sec | 80 hp | RWD |
| 2016 | Proxy Coupe 0.9L Turbo I-3 | 9.90 sec | 17.50 sec | 89 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 77 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | Use Castrol BOT 328 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 4.5 |
| Engine Oil | Use lubricant meeting MB specification 229.5 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | Use Castrol BOT 328 |
| Power Steering Fluid | EPS |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 88.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 7.4 FT/LBS. |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 25.8 FT/LBS. |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 77 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2 |
| Spark Plug Gap | 0.035 in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 13.0 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.04 lbs |
| Oil Type | Smart part number VC200YF or equivalent. |
| Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque | 22 |
| Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque | 77 |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | 0.394 including backing plate in |
| Minimum Shoe Thickness | 0.094 in |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | 0.780 |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish | Stamped on rotor |
| Maximum Drum Diameter | 8.047 |
| 1 | 33.0 ft. lbs., 90 | 33 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 37.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: + 180 | 37 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | 18.4 ft. lbs. | 18.4 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 270 | |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 50.0 | |
| 1 | 23.0 ft. lbs. | 23 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 62.0 | |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2017 Smart Fortwo sits well past the generation's clear trouble peak of 2008–2009, when complaints spiked to 139 and 100 respectively alongside multiple recalls and investigations; from 2010 onward, complaint volume collapsed to single or low-double digits, and the 2017 model fits that mature, low-friction arc with only 9 complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation. That said, the 60 TSBs posted for 2017 are the highest in the eight-year federal record provided, suggesting an unusually busy campaign of service bulletins even as hard complaints stayed quiet—a pattern consistent with manufacturers refining known issues on a still-active platform. The complaint mix is benign, led by Electrical System (2) and Seat Belts (2), with no crash or fire complaints of any kind recorded, and the single Power Train/Electrical/Engine entry and Steering/Suspension/Wheels entry do not point to a systemic defect. By comparison, the only quieter year is 2019, which recorded just 1 complaint but also far fewer TSBs, hinting that 2017 may carry more lingering service items than the final model year. The takeaway: 2017 is a defensible used buy, sitting in the dependable middle of the generation's reliability arc with no crash or fire exposure, though a pre-purchase inspection should confirm the recall and investigation items have been addressed and the seat belt and electrical concerns are not active.
All 9 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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. 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…
Showing 5 of 60 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| LI82.30-P-059239 | 2026-05-19 | Visibility/Wiper | Complaint There are several types of complaint about noises or poor windshield wiper… |
| LI82.10-P-078301 | 2026-04-16 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamp, front fog lamp leaky or fogged. Cause Fogging of the headlamps is a… |
| LI54.10-P-069138 | 2025-12-20 | Electrical System | Complaint The following symptoms with electrical range: • Displayed electrical range is… |
| LI33.30-P-056665 | 2025-05-21 | Power Train | Complaint Single throttle lift-off clunking noise from the side shaft when moving off… |
| LI82.10-P-078896 | 2025-04-28 | Exterior Lighting | Complaint Headlamps leaking or fogged Cause The fogging of the headlamp is a natural… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.5 qt of Use lubricant meeting MB specification 229.5 or equivalent., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 33 city / 38 highway / 35 combined mpg.