2012 McLaren MP4-12C: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker MP4-12C years.
5 owner complaints, most about exterior lighting. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 MP4-12C?The 2012 McLaren MP4-12C has 5 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are exterior lighting and visibility/wiper.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 McLaren MP4-12C vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other MP4-12C years only. How we score it
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 MP4-12C
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 19V141000McLaren 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.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 17V005000McLaren 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.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 13V541000McLaren 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile.
Owner insights cover all generations of the MP4-12C. See the full MP4-12C owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used MP4-12C listings typically run $98,299–$110,075 across 2012 to 2013 model years.
Other MP4-12C model years
Compare every MP4-12C year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
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