Recall 17V179 affects 2,213 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe vehicles for unsealed horizontal headlight adjustment. Repair is free at any franchised Smart dealer.
Smart is recalling 2,213 2016 Fortwo Coupe vehicles because the horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism was not properly sealed against later adjustment. A headlight set outside its designed range can reduce driver visibility or blind oncoming traffic and raise crash risk; Smart dealers will seal the adjustment mechanism free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe uses headlight assemblies with a horizontal adjustment mechanism. That mechanism sets the left-to-right aim of the headlight beam so the lamp points where it was designed to point. After the proper setting is made at the plant, sealing caps are supposed to block later adjustment and keep the vehicle in compliance with lighting rules.
On affected Fortwo Coupes, the sealing caps on the horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism do not meet the required standard. That leaves the adjustment point not properly sealed off, which means the headlight aim is not locked down the way FMVSS 108 requires. The issue is a compliance problem with the lamp adjustment hardware, not a burned-out bulb or a loose headlight.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner is not expected to hear, feel, or see a clear symptom from the sealing cap itself.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe | Headlights |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 2,213 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific coupe is included.
What's the safety risk?
A headlight that can be adjusted horizontally can end up outside its designed aim. That reduces the driver's visibility and can glare into oncoming traffic, increasing crash risk. Schedule the repair soon, especially before night driving. Repair is free at any franchised Smart dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Smart dealer to schedule the free headlight sealing-cap repair that prevents horizontal headlight adjustment.
- Bring the recall notice if Smart mailed one. If you do not have it, reference recall number 17V179 when you call.
- Limit night driving until the repair is complete, since an incorrectly adjusted headlight can reduce visibility or glare into oncoming traffic.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Smart technician installs the correct sealing caps so the horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism cannot be adjusted after the repair. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. Out-of-pocket repairs already paid are handled through the new vehicle warranty, not through a separate reimbursement program, because the involved vehicles remain under warranty. Ask the service desk how warranty coverage applies if you have prior repair paperwork.
| Reimbursement | Warranty coverage applies |
|---|
Timeline
| March 16, 2017 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 5, 2017 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 5, 2017 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| September 8, 2017 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 17V179?
Recall 17V179 covers 2,213 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe vehicles with headlights whose horizontal adjustment mechanism was not properly sealed, so the lights can be moved outside design specifications. That reduces driver visibility, can blind oncoming traffic, and increases crash risk. Smart dealers install correct sealing caps for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Smart Fortwo Coupe is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 17V179. If it is, contact a franchised Smart dealer to schedule installation of the correct headlight sealing caps. Reference recall number 17V179 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects and compliance defects at no cost. For recall 17V179, Smart dealers install the correct sealing caps on the headlight adjustment mechanism free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility and glare for other drivers. In recall 17V179, an unsealed horizontal headlight adjustment mechanism allows the headlights to move outside their designed specifications, which increases crash risk. The dealer repair prevents that adjustment.
When did the repair become available?
The recall repair began on September 8, 2017. Smart owners whose VINs are included in recall 17V179 can contact a franchised Smart dealer to schedule the free sealing-cap installation. MBUSA customer service is also available at 1-800-367-6372.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/17V179000 |
|---|---|
| Smart customer service | 1-800-367-6372 |
| NHTSA recall # | 17V179 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 17V179000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →