2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider

Routine

Owners filed 2 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the exterior lighting. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Exterior Lighting1
000
Air Bags1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module19V141000
Filed Feb 28, 20192,792 vehiclesMclaren Automotive Incorporated

Defect. McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012-2013 MP4-12C, 2014-2016 650s, 2015-2016 675 LT, 2014-2015 P1 and 2015-2017 570 vehicles. These vehicles are equipped with air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, used as original equipment or replacement equipment (such as after a vehicle crash necessitating replacement of the original air bags), that may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.

Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy. McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 28, 2019. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor13V541000
Filed Oct 30, 2013376 vehiclesMclaren Automotive Incorporated

Defect. McLaren Automotive, Inc. (McLaren) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 MP4 12-C Spider and Coupe vehicles manufactured October 10, 2011, through October 23, 2013 and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Due to a combination of high ambient temperatures and humidity, the wiper motor brushes may jam causing the wiper motor to stop working.

Risk. Non-functioning wipers during inclement weather may be reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. McLaren will notify will notify owners and dealers will replace the wiper motors, free of charge. Vehicles outside of the recall area will have a lifetime warranty on their wiper motors that fail for this issue. The recall began on December 19, 2013. Owners may contact McLaren at 1-646-429-8916.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed May 1, 20197,359 milesPA

I SENT MY 2013 MC LAREN IN FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG RECALL. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED IT WAS IN DEFAULT WITH A MESSAGE THAT SAID "AIR BAG" AND "TRANSMISSION" WAS IN DEFAULT. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG THAT WAS IN DEFAULT. THEY SAID IT WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THE CAR DID NOT HAVE THESE ISSUES WHEN I SENT IT TO THEM. I BELIEVE THAT THEY MIGHT BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE RECALL PROCESS BY FIXING ONE SAFETY ISSUE AND CAUSING ANOTHER. THE CAR HAS 7359 MILES ON IT SO I FIND IT SURPRISING THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WOULD GO BAD UNLESS THERE IS A DEFECT THAT PERHAPS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED. THEY ALSO FOUND MANY OTHER ISSUES WITH THE CAR BUT NONE THAT I WAS CONSIDER SAFETY CONCERNS. THE TOTAL ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS WAS $11318.86. I WOULD HOPE THAT THE RECALL WOULD NOT BE USED FOR THE PURPOSE OF FINANCIAL GAIN FOR THE DEALERS. .

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 16, 20184,500 milesCA

THE FRONT HEADLAMPS HAVE DEVELOPED CONDENSATION AND MOLD INSIDE THE CLEAR HOUSING. A CLOUDY SUBSTANCE HAS FORMED INSIDE THE HEADLAMPS AND CAN NOT BE REMOVED. THE CONDENSATION HAS SPREAD AND BECOME WORSE OVER TIME PROBABLY DUE TO THE DESIGN OF THE HEADLAMPS AND NOT BEING PROPERLY SEALED. THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN WHICH MCLAREN IS WELL AWARE OF AND HAS BEEN REPORTED BY ALMOST ALL OF THE MP4-12C OWNERS. MY HEADLAMPS WERE REPLACED ONCE ALREADY AND THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS RE-OCCURRED WITH THE 2ND SET OF HEADLAMPS AND NOW MCLAREN HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE ANY OF THE CUSTOMER'S HEADLAMPS. HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN PERSUADE MCLAREN TO ISSUE A RECALL TO REPLACE ALL THE HEADLAMPS WITH A BETTER FIX. THANK YOU.

2 of 2 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2014
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20151000Routine
20143100Routine
2013 — this page2200Routine
20122300Routine

Compare every MP4-12C Spider year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 28, 2019. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.