2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Exterior Lighting (2)
Safety recalls (3)
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2019-02-28 · campaign 19V141000 · 2,792 vehicles
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 absol
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2017-01-09 · campaign 17V005000 · 654 vehicles
Defect: McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain 2012 MP4-12C vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 13, 2017. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
Visibility:windshield Wiper/Washer:motor 2013-10-30 · campaign 13V541000 · 376 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (82)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · KA-02059 · Other
esp causing vehicle limitations
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-30 · KA-02005 V2 · Other
updated voltage for sensor position
Fuel/Propulsion System 2026-06-18 · KA-01783 · Other
mclaren dmtl test diagnosis
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-29 · KA-01988 · Other
apple carplay quick start guide and troubleshooting
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-25 · KA-02005 · Other
airbrake diagnosis guide
Unknown Or Other 2025-11-26 · KA-01783 v2 · Other
mclaren dmtl test diagnosis
Showing the 6 most recent of 82 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2018-05-23 · Exterior Lighting · 2,500 mi“haze,condensation and visible imperfections inside both headlight lenses. more pronounced on drivers side. this is a known issue among mclaren owners, please see pictures other owners have submitted.…”
2018-03-26 · Exterior Lighting“headlights are developing fogging on the inner surface. i am worried this will lead to poor visibility at night and is safety concern. this has happened to several other owners of mclaren mp4-12cs as well and is a known issue with this vehicle. they refuse to replace or repair the headlights under extended warranty.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.