2012 MCLAREN MP4-12C — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

The contact owns a 2012 McLaren MP4-12C. The contact stated that while driving during rainy weather, the front windshield wipers intermittently failed to operate as needed. An unknown windshield wiper error message was displayed on the instrument panel. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V541000 (Visibility); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

This is the cars main navigation, radio, and other configuration critical to the cars operability and safety. McLaren calls this the IRIS system, and they issued an upgrade after the first one had many documented problems throughout the world, with the IRIS II system. They replaced them while the cars were under warranty, but once the warranty expires on your car, you have to pay upwards of $10,000 to replace what is essentially a radio touch screen. There is a high documented failure rate of the IRIS systems in following McLaren Models. The MP4-12C, the 650S, the 675LT. The part is made by Parrot in China, and they only sell the replacement screens to McLaren, creating a very expensive repair option. McLaren refuses to acknowledge a major problem. Problem: The IRIS screen which is a touch screen (resistive touch) fails to recognize your inputs. This happens typically on the right side of the screen, making it virtually impossible to use the Navigation when entering an address with the keyboard, or radio stations, or changing configuration settings. McLaren quickly replaced the IRIS I system with the IRIS II system and offered McLaren MP4-12C owners the option to upgrade from IRIS I to IRIS II. Those screens also have the same problem and stop working. A new replacement system out of warranty can cost up to $14,000. Because of the orientation of the screen, which is set in the center stack vertically, there is no aftermarket option to replace the faulty OEM unit. Your only option is to go to McLaren and pay $14,000. Due to the high failure rate in the IRIS I and IRIS II, I am asking you to please investigate the lack of response by McLaren to address the faulty units.

The main headlights on the McLaren MP4-12C are susceptible to condensation, and mold that cannot be cleared as it is internal. This is caused by a faulty seal, or glue, holding the top clear glass, to the plastic molding which allows condensation to happen, causing the mold. Almost all McLaren MP4-12C's have the moldy headlights, reducing visibility and creating a hazard for the driver, as well as incoming traffic, as the light pattern is no longer uniform making it hard to see at night. The only solution is to replace the headlights with new ones costing more than $4,000.