VehicleVerdict

2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 3 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

2

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2012 compare to other Mp4-12c Spider years?

Mp4-12c Spider NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted3 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 2 complaints2014: 3 complaints2015: 1 complaints
Mp4-12c Spider NHTSA complaints by model year, 2012 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Mp4-12c Spider years to avoid →

What are the most common 2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Lighting2100%

Does the 2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V141000AirbagsFebruary 28, 2019 · 2,792 units

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.

Consequence

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.

17V005000AirbagsJanuary 9, 2017 · 654 units

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 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.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

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.

13V541000Visibility & WipersOctober 30, 2013 · 376 units

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.

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · January 22, 2018

2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider — common questions

Is the 2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 3 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2012 Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Mclaren Mp4-12c Spider years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Mp4-12c Spider years to avoid are 2014, 2013. The cleanest record among Mp4-12c Spider years belongs to 2015.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.