Every Smart Safety Recall In The UK, By Model And Year, With What Each Fault Means And How To Get It Fixed
smart has 2 UK safety recalls in DVSA records, including 2 since 2020. The most common recent faults involve brakes, software and seat belts. Enter your registration to check your smart; you won't usually pay for a recall repair at a franchised smart dealer.1
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
Latest Smart Recalls
These are the newest smart recalls registered with DVSA, newest first.
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #5Vehicle Total upgrade via sVDS 2.0 | 14 | Urgent | R/2026/276 | |
| #1, #3Seat belt buckle | 2,494 | Urgent | R/2024/443 |
Open any reference for the build dates covered, the fix and what to do. Urgency labels follow our published rules.
Smart Recalls By Model
Choose your model to see only its recalls. The #5, #1 and #3 have the most smart recall references since 2015.
- #51
- #11
- #31
A recall can cover only certain build dates or engines, so confirm with smart by VIN. See where to find your VIN.
How Many Recalls Has Smart Had?
Since 2020 smart has launched 2 UK recalls. Adjusted for its cars on the road, that is 2.3 car recalls per 100,000 licensed cars.
The per-car figure divides car recalls since 2020 by the number of smart cars licensed in the UK in 2026 Q2, with van-only recalls removed.2 smart has a small number of cars on UK roads, so one or two recalls can move this rate a long way. A higher count doesn't mean a car is less reliable: it reflects the size of the range, how vans are counted and how readily a maker recalls. See which car makes have the most recalls.
The Most Common Smart Recall Faults
Recent smart recalls most often involve brakes, software and seat belts.
A recall can involve more than one type of fault, so the rows overlap. 50% of smart recalls include a software update, often done in under an hour. Each fault type links to a page explaining the warning signs and what to do.
Biggest Smart Recalls Since 2020
The largest recent smart recall is R/2024/443 (seat belt buckle), covering about 2,494 vehicle-records.
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| smart #1, #3Seat belt buckle | 2,494 | Urgent | R/2024/443 | |
| smart #5Vehicle Total upgrade via sVDS 2.0 | 14 | Urgent | R/2026/276 |
Vehicle-records are the manufacturer's estimates, and one car can appear in several recalls.
How To Get A Smart Recall Fixed
Book with any franchised smart dealer using your VIN and the campaign code on your letter. The work is normally free, and the dealer records it with smart.1
Use the contact page on smart's UK website, or ask any franchised smart dealer. Have your VIN, registration, mileage and the code from your letter ready. See manufacturer recall helplines and how long a recall repair takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Smart Recalls Free?
Yes. You won't usually pay for a safety recall repair.1 See do you have to pay for a recall?.
Do Smart Recalls Expire?
No. A recall stays in force for any car that wasn't fixed, even after it is closed for reporting.3 See do car recalls expire?.
Can I Drive My Smart With An Open Recall?
Follow your letter. Most recalls let you drive until the repair; a stop-drive notice doesn't. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
What Does The Code On My Smart Letter Mean?
It is smart's campaign reference. Look it up with our recall code lookup.
Data: DVSA vehicle recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- Models with fewer than 5 refs show lists, not rates.
- Code timelines: Producers normally respond to DVSA within 28 days (5.5); DVSA reviews are typically monthly (5.4). DVSA must be notified "as soon as the safety defect has been confirmed" (6.1). 3 notifications per motorist is seen as reasonable (8.3). Response rates are reported every three months (11.1).