The McLaren 650S spans 2009–2021 with 3 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2015, 2021, 2020 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2009, 2010, 2011. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The McLaren 650S is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2009 to 2021 across multiple generations.
Decode or check a McLaren 650S by VIN
Enter a 17-digit VIN to decode this McLaren 650S — trim, engine, plant and full specs — and instantly pull its open recalls, safety ratings and original window sticker.
How to read a McLaren 650S VIN — every digit explained
Every McLaren 650S carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. 4T1 = Toyota, built in the USA.
- VDS (4–8) — model line, body style, engine & restraint system.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built. H = 2017.
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 650S.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
Model-year code (10th digit)
The 10th character is the model year. It cycles through letters and numbers, skipping I, O, Q, U, Z and 0 to avoid confusion:
Where to find your 650S VIN
- Dashboard — driver's side, visible through the windshield from outside.
- Driver's door jamb — on the manufacturer sticker when you open the door.
- Paperwork — vehicle registration, title and insurance card.
- Engine bay & frame — stamped on the firewall or chassis on many models.
How many recalls does the McLaren 650S have?
The McLaren 650S has 3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2009–2021. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2016 McLaren 650S recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. 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.
2015 McLaren 650S recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. 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.
2014 McLaren 650S recalls 1
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix. 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.
Best and worst years for the McLaren 650S
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 10 tracked years, the worst years are 2015, 2021, 2020 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2009, 2010, 2011.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 650S | 0 | — | Best |
| 2010 650S | 0 | — | Best |
| 2011 650S | 0 | — | Best |
| 2012 650S | 0 | — | Average |
| 2013 650S | 0 | — | Average |
| 2014 650S | 0 | — | Average |
| 2015 650S | 2 | Exterior Lighting | Avoid |
| 2016 650S | 0 | — | Average |
| 2020 650S | 0 | — | Avoid |
| 2021 650S | 0 | — | Avoid |
What are the most common McLaren 650S problems?
The most-reported McLaren 650S problems are Air Bags (1 reports), Exterior Lighting (1 reports) — out of 2 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Exterior Lighting 1 Read
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 mclaren 650s. The contact stated that over time the front passenger's and driver's headlight lenses had developed very small spider web cracks. The contact indicated that the cracks were located on the interior section of the lenses and the visibility had progressively diminished over time due to the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer walnut creek mclaren located at 1425 parkside dr, walnut creek, ca 94596 and the manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 20.*dt*jb*dt*jb
Air Bags 1 Read
I have received two recall letters in the past ten months telling me that the passenger airbag in my car may explode with 'shards of shrapnel injuring or killing the passenger'.when i ask my dealer to fix this recall i am told that they do not have the parts.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
McLaren 650S specifications & dimensions
The 2021 McLaren 650S. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
McLaren 650S cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 650S holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
McLaren 650S tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the McLaren 650S get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the McLaren 650S have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a McLaren 650S cost to own?
A McLaren 650S depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | — | — |
| Year 2 | 70% | — | — |
| Year 3 | 61% | — | — |
| Year 4 | 53% | — | — |
| Year 5 | 46% | — | — |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 650S loses about 54% of its value over five years.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 650S ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the McLaren 650S safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 650S yet.
How many miles does a McLaren 650S last?
A well-maintained McLaren 650S typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.5/5.
Decode your McLaren 650S’s window sticker & build
Original options, specs, recalls and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Decode VIN →All McLaren 650S model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the McLaren 650S — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 650S | 0 | — | — |
| 2020 650S | 0 | — | — |
| 2016 650S | 1 recall | — | — |
| 2015 650S | 1 recall | — | — |
| 2014 650S | 1 recall | — | — |
| 2013 650S | 0 | — | — |
| 2012 650S | 0 | — | — |
| 2011 650S | 0 | — | — |
| 2010 650S | 0 | — | — |
| 2009 650S | 0 | — | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 650S?
By owner-complaint volume, 2015, 2021, 2020 drew the most reports. 2009, 2010, 2011 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 650S have?
3 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2009–2021. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
How many miles does a 650S last?
A well-maintained 650S typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 650S reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 650S is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the McLaren 650S warranty?
New McLaren models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a McLaren dealer.
Where is the McLaren 650S made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 650S's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; McLaren may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the 650S have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.