NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider Recalls & Complaints

The 2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider has 2 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 2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider, describing incidents dated October 21, 2016 to February 5, 2019.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 1 complaint
Exterior Lighting 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11205043 · Filed May 1, 2019
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…
ODI #11088426 · Filed April 16, 2018
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…

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA21-002: Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Open since September 17, 2021

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

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.

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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

2 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Mclaren MP4-12C Spider.

Air Bags

ODI #11205043

Incident: February 5, 2019 · Filed: May 1, 2019

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

ODI #11088426

Incident: October 21, 2016 · Filed: April 16, 2018

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.

Other Mclaren MP4-12C Spider model years

Check your 2013 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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