NHTSA vehicle safety data
2012 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider Recalls & Complaints
The 2012 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Mclaren dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2012 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider owner complaints
Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider, describing incidents dated June 6, 2015 to January 22, 2018.
Most-cited components
- Exterior Lighting 2 complaints
Newest complaints
ODI #11097341 · Filed
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.
ODI #11081394 · Filed
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…
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Explode
NHTSA #19V141000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported February 28, 2019 · McLaren Automotive Incorporated
Potentially affected: 2,792 vehicles
Repair completion: 89.04% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified March 28, 2019 · Vehicles built January 28, 2011 – January 7, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Passenger Frontal Air Bag Inflator May Rupture
NHTSA #17V005000 · Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module · NHTSA notice
Reported January 9, 2017 · McLaren Automotive Incorporated
Potentially affected: 654 vehicles
Repair completion: 87.31% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified November 13, 2017 · Vehicles built June 28, 2011 – January 7, 2014 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Recall group: Takata airbag inflators
Defect description
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 equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front air bags, these inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Safety consequence
An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Windshield Wiper Motor may not Function
NHTSA #13V541000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice
Reported October 30, 2013 · McLaren Automotive Incorporated
Potentially affected: 376 vehicles
Repair completion: 86.17% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 19, 2013 · Vehicles built October 10, 2011 – October 23, 2013 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
Non-functioning wipers during inclement weather may be reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Other Mclaren MP4-12C Spider model years
Check your 2012 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Mclaren MP4-12C Spider at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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