McLaren's P1 supercar recalled in the US on fears its front hood can fly open while moving

The US auto safety regulator has ordered the recall of McLaren's $1.5m (£1m, €1.38) P1 supercar, saying that there is a danger that its front hood can fly open while the vehicle is moving. Only a handful of car owners will be affected by the recall, said the National Highway Safety Administration.

A total of 375 P1s were manufactured between 2013 and 2015. The administration which ordered the recall said in the notice: "The affected vehicles have a secondary hood hatch 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."

The P1 supercar is a 903 horsepower hybrid electric-petrol car with technology inspired by Formula 1 car. Ironically, the founder of McLaren, Bruce McLaren died in a car crash in 1970 after the back trunk of his racing prototype opened at high speed and destabilised the car.

McLaren, a New Zealander, founded the racing team in 1963. Auto blog says that a total of 122 P1 hybrid cars are being recalled in the US. The cars were manufactured at the McLaren Production Centre in Woking in the UK between 1 March 2013 and 31 October 2015.

Vehicles manufactured after 31 October 2015 have already been fitted with a new secondary latch. The blog said that so far only one incident was reported when the hood opened while the vehicle was in motion. No details of the 'incident' was provided.

McLaren dealers are expected to take only half hour to install a redesigned hood latch. The recall is expected to start this month free of charge.