The McLaren P1 spans 2009–2021 with 4 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.5/5 ForCar reliability score. It delivers competitive fuel economy and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the McLaren P1 a good car?
Short answer: yes — this one scores near the top of what we track. Our score for the McLaren P1 is 4.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
If you're choosing a year, 2009, 2010, 2011 score best in our data, and 2021, 2020 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
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 P1 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2009 to 2021 across multiple generations.
How to read a McLaren P1 VIN — every digit explained
Every McLaren P1 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. Tells you it's a McLaren and the country it was built in (real McLaren codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this P1.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- EnglandSBM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. Our VIN lookup reads every position for you — engine code, model year, assembly plant and country of build.
How many recalls does the McLaren P1 have?
The McLaren P1 has 4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2009–2021. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2015 McLaren P1 recalls 2
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.
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
What's wrong. McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 P1 hybrid vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage. As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the hood may open while the vehicle is moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Risk. If the hood opens while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood latch with a newly-designed latch, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2016. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
2014 McLaren P1 recalls 2
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.
Latches/locks/linkages:hood:latch
What's wrong. McLaren Automotive Incorporated (McLaren) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 P1 hybrid vehicles manufactured March 1, 2013, to October 31, 2015. The affected vehicles have a secondary hood latch that may not properly re-engage. As a result, if the primary latch is released inadvertently, the hood may open while the vehicle is moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 113, "Hood Latch System."
Risk. If the hood opens while driving it may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix. McLaren will notify owners, and dealers will replace the hood latch with a newly-designed latch, free of charge. The recall began on January 18, 2016. Owners may contact McLaren customer service at 1-646-429-8916.
Best and worst years for the McLaren P1
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the McLaren P1 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common McLaren P1 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the McLaren P1 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
McLaren P1 specifications & dimensions
The 2015–2018 McLaren P1 measures 181″ long on a 105″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,285 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the McLaren P1 window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015–2018 | 181″ | 77″ | 47″ | 105″ | 3,285 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
McLaren P1 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the P1 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 — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
McLaren P1 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 P1 get?
MPG cache warming… reload in a moment.
What engines does the McLaren P1 have? Power & range
Powertrain data warming… reload in a moment.
How much does a McLaren P1 cost to own?
A McLaren P1 depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Check what a used P1 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this P1 loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — based on EPA economy at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the P1 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 P1 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the P1 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a McLaren P1 last?
A well-maintained McLaren P1 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.
Check your McLaren P1’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this P1’s VIN free →All McLaren P1 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the McLaren P1 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2020 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2016 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2015 P1 | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 2014 P1 | 2 recalls | — | — |
| 2013 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2012 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2011 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2010 P1 | 0 | — | — |
| 2009 P1 | 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 P1?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the McLaren P1.
How many recalls does the P1 have?
4 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2009–2021. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all McLaren recalls and reliability across every model.
How many miles does a P1 last?
A well-maintained P1 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the P1 reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the P1 is 4.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the McLaren P1 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 P1 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your P1'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 P1 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.