The 2022 Artura is McLaren's first series-production hybrid supercar with a new V6 engine and 8-speed DCT. Early examples have suffered from catastrophic engine failures, hybrid system faults, and transmission cooling issues—not typical teething problems, but genuine reliability concerns for a $250k+ vehicle.
Catastrophic Engine Bearing Failure
Occasional · high severityTypical onset: 5,000-15,000 mi
Symptoms: Metallic knocking from engine bay, Oil pressure warning light, Complete engine seizure in severe cases, Metal debris visible in oil filter or drain plug
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or replacement required. Main bearings and/or rod bearings fail prematurely due to manufacturing tolerances or oiling system issues. Crankshaft, pistons, rings often need replacement. Factory extended warranty may cover under certain conditions, but book time is 60-80 hours for full teardown, machine work, and reassembly.
Estimated cost: $35,000-65,000
Hybrid Inverter Failure
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: Check engine light with hybrid system fault codes, Loss of electric motor assist, Vehicle stuck in limp mode or won't start, High-voltage system errors on instrument cluster
Fix: Inverter module requires replacement. Often requires dealer diagnostic tools to isolate from battery pack or motor issues. Part is dealer-only, labor is 8-12 hours including high-voltage system isolation and recalibration.
Estimated cost: $15,000-22,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leaks
Common · medium severityTypical onset: 8,000-20,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid pooling under vehicle, Overheating warnings during spirited driving, Burnt transmission fluid smell, Harsh or delayed shifts when hot
Fix: Oil cooler lines or the cooler itself develop leaks at fittings. Requires underbody access and careful bleeding of the DCT system. 6-10 hours labor including fluid refill and system purge.
Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000
ABS Control Module Software Faults
Occasional · high severitySymptoms: ABS warning light illuminated, Traction control disabled message, Loss of brake assist or unusual brake pedal feel, Vehicle stability control non-functional
Fix: Software calibration issue covered by NHTSA recall, but module may require replacement if corrupted. Dealer reflash takes 2-3 hours; module replacement adds another 4-6 hours for coding and calibration.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall) or $4,000-7,000
Electric Drive Motor Mount Failures
Occasional · medium severityTypical onset: 10,000-25,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or thudding during acceleration or deceleration, Vibration felt through cabin floor, Misalignment causing driveline noise, Check engine light with motor position sensor codes
Fix: Rear-mounted electric motor mount brackets crack or rubber isolators fail. Requires lifting powertrain and replacing mount hardware. 8-12 hours labor, parts are expensive and dealer-only.
Estimated cost: $5,000-8,500
Head Gasket Failures
Rare · high severityTypical onset: 15,000-30,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating under load, Milky oil on dipstick or filler cap
Fix: V6 head gaskets can fail, possibly related to thermal stress in hybrid operation or inadequate clamping force. Requires engine-out service in most cases, head resurfacing, new gaskets, and full cooling system flush. 40-55 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $18,000-28,000
Hard pass unless you have factory warranty remaining and deep pockets—these are groundbreaking engineering with first-year production quality to match.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.