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Lotus Elise Recalls — All NHTSA Recall Campaigns

6 recall campaigns on record across 5 model years of the Lotus Elise. Data sourced directly from NHTSA and updated daily.

Check Your Specific VIN — FreeAll Lotus Recalls
6
Recall Campaigns
49
Owner Complaints
0
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths
5 affected model years1 crash-involved complaintsMost recalled year: 2005

Affected Model Years

20111R20091R · 1C20081R20071R · 3C20052R · 34C

R = recalls · C = complaints. Click a year to see the full problems report.

Recall Breakdown by Component Category

Engine3 campaigns (50%)
Transmission1 campaign (17%)
Suspension/Wheels1 campaign (17%)
Visibility/Lighting1 campaign (17%)

Most Common Owner Complaint Areas — Lotus Elise

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
17
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
7
ENGINE
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
POWER TRAIN
3
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
2
SUSPENSION:REAR
2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1

Based on 49 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

All Lotus Elise Recall Campaigns

#11V5100002005 Lotus EliseEngine
Issued: Invalid Date

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS FITTING.

Risk: A DETACHED OIL LINE COULD SPRAY OIL ON A TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR IT COULD SPRAY OIL THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-2…

#05V5710002005 Lotus EliseTransmission
Issued: Invalid Date

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE GEAR LEVER MAY BREAK.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GEAR LEVERS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS CARS USA AT 1-800-245-6887.

#13V0410002007 Lotus EliseEngine
Issued: May 2, 2013

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The oil cooler line may become detached from its fitting.

Risk: A detached oil line could spray oil on a tire, increasing the risk of a crash, or it could spray oil throughout the engine compartment increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler hose fittings and the entire lateral oil cooler hose, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 4, 2013. Owners may contact L…

#14V2800002008 Lotus EliseEngine
Issued: Invalid Date

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from November 2007 to July 2011, and 2011 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The oil cooler hose may detach from its fitting.

Risk: A detached oil hose could spray oil on a tire, increasing the risk of a crash, or it could spray oil throughout the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler hose fittings on the Elise and Exige vehicles and will replace the oil cooler hose assemblies on the Evora vehicles, free of charge. …

#09V1790002009 Lotus EliseSuspension/Wheels
Issued: Invalid Date

WHEELS:HUB

LOTUS IS RECALLING 87 MODEL YEAR 2009 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 20, 2008 THROUGH MAY 5, 2009. THE REAR HUB FLANGE BOLTS ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY BE UNDER-TORQUED AND MAY BECOME LOOSE. IF THAT OCCURS, AN INSECURE HUB COULD LEAD TO DEGRADATION IN VEHICLE HANDLING, AND A RU…

Risk: IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED PROMPTLY, THE DRIVER COULD LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A CRASH.

Remedy: LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-245-6887.

#11V5410002011 Lotus EliseVisibility/Lighting
Issued: Mar 11, 2011

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ELISE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES WERE FITTED WITH TURN …

Risk: THE DRIVER WILL NOT BE VISUALLY ALERTED TO THE FACT THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE VEHICLES TURN SIGNAL LAMPS IS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TURN SIGNAL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245…

Recalls by Component

3Engine Recalls

#11V510000MY 2005

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM IT…

#13V041000MY 2007

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The oil cooler line may become detached from…

#14V280000MY 2008

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from November 2007 to July 2011, and 2011 Evora vehicles manufactured S…

Lotus Elise Recall — Frequently Asked Questions

How many recalls does the Lotus Elise have?
The Lotus Elise has 6 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database, spanning model years 2005 through 2011.
Is my Elise under recall?
Recall applicability depends on your specific VIN — not just the model year. Some recalls cover only certain production date ranges or trim levels. Enter your 17-digit VIN at VinCheckEngine or NHTSA.gov for an exact answer.
What is the most recalled Elise year?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2005 Lotus Elise has the highest recall campaign count (2 campaigns). However, the total count of campaigns is not the same as the number of defects — some campaigns are issued as expansions of earlier recalls.
Does a Elise recall mean my car is unsafe to drive?
Not necessarily. Recalls range from critical safety hazards — where NHTSA advises against driving — to minor inconveniences like a label error. Check the consequence field of each recall to understand the severity. If your specific VIN is subject to an open recall, contact an authorized dealer as soon as possible.
Who pays for recall repairs on a Elise?
The manufacturer is legally required to pay for all recall repairs under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer, regardless of whether you are the original owner or whether the vehicle is out of warranty.

Check Your Specific Lotus Elise for Open Recalls

Model-level recall data tells you what campaigns exist. A VIN-specific check tells you exactly which ones apply to your vehicle — based on production date, serial number, and configuration.

Free VIN Check — Check My Elise
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