https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise New NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for the Lotus Elise. en-us Mon, 21 Sep 2026 23:09:09 GMT https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-1480946 Fri, 06 Jul 2018 00:00:00 GMT THE 2007+ LOTUS ELISE/ EXIGE ARE ALL EQUIPPED WITH A SHIFTER THAT IS PRONE TO FAILURE. I HAVE PERSONALLY HAD A BROKEN SHIFTER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STUCK AT THE 3RD GEAR AND ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT. MANY HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE SAME SITUATION. IT'S BELIEVED TO BE TRUE THAT THE BALL JOINT STRUCTURE AT THE PIVOT POINT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIFTER IS THE MAIN REASON TO THIS FAILU https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#recall-14V280000-lotus-lotus-elise-2009 Tue, 27 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-1066987 Tue, 20 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER LINE FRACTURED CAUSING A LEAK AND AS A RESULT, THE OIL COOLER AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACT https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-1066988 Tue, 20 May 2014 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER LINE FRACTURED CAUSING A LEAK AND AS A RESULT, THE OIL COOLER AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACT https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-1028540 Tue, 24 Dec 2013 00:00:00 GMT I HAVE AN INQUIRE IN REGARD TO MY 2006 LOTUS ELISE (VIN [XXX]) OIL LINE ISSUE THAT HAPPENED ON 12/11/13. I WAS DRIVING NORMALLY AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ALL THE SUDDEN. I PULLED OVER SHORTLY AFTER. WHILE WAITING FOR THE TOW TRUCK, I ALREADY CAN SEE THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE OIL LINE WAS DIS-ATTACHED https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-1024033 Tue, 26 Nov 2013 00:00:00 GMT NHTSA RECALL #11V-510. ON 11/11/13 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 11/18/13 TO HAVE THE REFERENCED RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE AT STAR MOTOR CARS IN HOUSTON, TX. ON 11/18/13 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO STAR MOTOR CARS TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE. TODAY IS 11/26 AND THE WORK HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AND STAR MOTOR CARS CANNOT TELL ME A DATE THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETED. STAR MOTOR CARS HAS FAILED T https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-973903 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT 2005 LOTUS ELISE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLES OIL COOLER LINE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE FAILURE TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE AS SET FOR IN THE REIMBURSEMENT PLAN. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION OF HOW THE DATE RANGE WAS SET. HE STATED TH https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#recall-13V041000-lotus-lotus-elise-2007 Tue, 05 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-947263 Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN THE #1 LANE WHEN I SMELLED BURNING OIL. I HADN'T NOTICED THE CAR PERFORMING DIFFERENTLY SO I LOOKED AHEAD TO THE FORWARD CARS FOR THE 'GROSS POLLUTER' CAUSING THE SMELL. I DIDN'T SEE ANYONE WITH MY FIRST FORWARD INSPECTION. I THEN IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH. AT THE SAME INSTANT I LOOKED OUT OF THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE PO https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-947264 Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN THE #1 LANE WHEN I SMELLED BURNING OIL. I HADN'T NOTICED THE CAR PERFORMING DIFFERENTLY SO I LOOKED AHEAD TO THE FORWARD CARS FOR THE 'GROSS POLLUTER' CAUSING THE SMELL. I DIDN'T SEE ANYONE WITH MY FIRST FORWARD INSPECTION. I THEN IMMEDIATELY NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH. AT THE SAME INSTANT I LOOKED OUT OF THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE PO https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-947287 Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND MOVED INTO THE #2 LANE AND WAS ACCELERATING. I LOOKED OUT MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DUST CLOUD BEHIND ME. I LOOKED AT THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME EXPECTING TO SEE SOME DIRT ON THE ROAD, BUT THERE WASN'T ANY. I LOOKED BACK AND IT SEEMED THAT IT WAS LIKE A DIRTY BROWN SMOKE. I WAS MY CAR. (I LATER REALIZED THE CLOUD WAS A SPRAY OF OIL MIST.) I WAS GOING 65 https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-947288 Wed, 31 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT I WAS ON THE FREEWAY AND MOVED INTO THE #2 LANE AND WAS ACCELERATING. I LOOKED OUT MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND SAW WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DUST CLOUD BEHIND ME. I LOOKED AT THE ROAD IN FRONT OF ME EXPECTING TO SEE SOME DIRT ON THE ROAD, BUT THERE WASN'T ANY. I LOOKED BACK AND IT SEEMED THAT IT WAS LIKE A DIRTY BROWN SMOKE. I WAS MY CAR. (I LATER REALIZED THE CLOUD WAS A SPRAY OF OIL MIST.) I WAS GOING 65 https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-934127 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT FRONT OIL COOLER HOSE BLEW OFF SPRAYING UNDERSIDE OF CAR WITH OIL. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TOWED TO DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE FIX. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-934129 Wed, 15 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT RIGHT SIDE OIL COOLER HOSE BLEW OFF WHILE TRAVELING AT 65MPH SPRAYING OIL OVER THE RIGHT BACK TIRE. THE ENGINE SEIZED AND CAR COASTED TO A STOP POSITION ON SIDE OF ROAD. CAR WAS INOPERABLE AND TOWED TO DEALER. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-926258 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JANUARY 2012 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:11V510000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE TRIED TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON TRYING TO DETERMINE HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED HE WANTED TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-918491 Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V510000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD NO TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN THE NECESSARY PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300. https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-918362 Sun, 13 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. RECEIVED NEW ENGINE FROM LOTUS 4/21/2012 AND HAD ABOUT 700 MILES ON NEW ENGINE. WAS DRIVING ON RESIDENTIAL STREET IN MID GEARS. NOTED SOME ODD ENGINE RATTLING NOISES BRIEFLY. SECONDS LATER, STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE WHICH DISSIPATED. THEN SAW FLICKERING INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WHICH STOPPED BUT RESUMED AND WAS LOW OIL LIGHT WHICH WENT OUT AND THEN CAME ON https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-913413 Sat, 07 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT AWARE OF NHTSA RECALL # 11V-510 HAVING RECEIVED LETTER FROM LOTUS CARS USA BUT WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS PROBABLY NOT AFFECTED. MONITORED FOR SIGNS OF OIL LEAKAGE ANYWAY BUT SAW NOTHING: NO CHANGE IN OIL LEVEL ON DIPSTICK CHECKS, NO SIGNS OF OIL UNDER CAR. WHILE ACCELERATING ON EXPRESSWAY, HAD LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND NOTICED SOME DIFFICULTY STEERING DUE TO SLICKNESS AS CAR WAS BROUGHT https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-912270 Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V510000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE SITUATION AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE TO FIND OUT HOW TO PURSUE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. ..UPDATED https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-911975 Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ABNORMALLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE OIL FILTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIG https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-910279 Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT MOMENTARY BRAKE FAILURE YESTERDAY. THIS HAPPENED TO MY WIFE. SHE'S COMMUTED WITH THE CAR TO WORK 3 TIMES A WEEK, 90 MILES ROUND TRIP FOR 7+ MONTHS, LOGGING MANY THOUSANDS OF MILES, AND MUCH MORE THAN I HAVE. ALSO SHE HAS BEEN DRIVING STICK FOR 17 YEARS, AND ROUTINELY DRIVES SPORTS CARS (MINI COOPER S, Z3). 70 MPH (IN 70 ZONE) CRUISING IN #2 LANE REASONABLE FOLLOWING DISTANCE. TRAFFIC AHEAD https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-908433 Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT OIL COOLER HOSE SEPARATED FROM FITTING AT THE SANDWICH PLATE ON THE ENGINE. *TR https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-908158 Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT OIL LINE FAILURE BY THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) TIRE. WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY, NO COLLISION OF ANY SORT. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL BY THE FRONT TIRE. APPARENTLY A RECALL IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NO FIX IS AVAILABLE YET. RECALL SUMMARY CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=11V510000&PROD_ID=2 https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-904720 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT WIRING ON AUTO HAS BEEN A MESS SINCE NEW, AUTO TOWED 15 TIMES FOR MECHANICAL REASONS AND ADDITION TIMES TOW TRUCK WAS COMING AND CAR WOULD START. SHIFTER BROKE OFF AT 2,000 MILES, TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES ALARM SYSTEM, ALTERNATOR,SPEAKERS,TURN INDICATORS, FRONT STEERING BOX (RACK), VEHICLE COMPUTER (SPEED INDICATED ON DASH HAS BEEN AT LEST 15% HIGH SINCE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACE https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-904721 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT WIRING ON AUTO HAS BEEN A MESS SINCE NEW, AUTO TOWED 15 TIMES FOR MECHANICAL REASONS AND ADDITION TIMES TOW TRUCK WAS COMING AND CAR WOULD START. SHIFTER BROKE OFF AT 2,000 MILES, TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES ALARM SYSTEM, ALTERNATOR,SPEAKERS,TURN INDICATORS, FRONT STEERING BOX (RACK), VEHICLE COMPUTER (SPEED INDICATED ON DASH HAS BEEN AT LEST 15% HIGH SINCE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACE https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-904722 Sun, 12 Feb 2012 00:00:00 GMT WIRING ON AUTO HAS BEEN A MESS SINCE NEW, AUTO TOWED 15 TIMES FOR MECHANICAL REASONS AND ADDITION TIMES TOW TRUCK WAS COMING AND CAR WOULD START. SHIFTER BROKE OFF AT 2,000 MILES, TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES ALARM SYSTEM, ALTERNATOR,SPEAKERS,TURN INDICATORS, FRONT STEERING BOX (RACK), VEHICLE COMPUTER (SPEED INDICATED ON DASH HAS BEEN AT LEST 15% HIGH SINCE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACE https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-896602 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT AS I WAS PULLING ONTO MY STREET, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PLACE TO STOP AND PARK THE CAR, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE SMELL OF OIL IN THE CABIN. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED OIL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE & WHEEL, AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR. MY ONLINE SEARCH FOR A POSSIBL https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#complaint-896603 Thu, 22 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT AS I WAS PULLING ONTO MY STREET, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PLACE TO STOP AND PARK THE CAR, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE SMELL OF OIL IN THE CABIN. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED OIL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE & WHEEL, AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR. MY ONLINE SEARCH FOR A POSSIBL https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#recall-11V510000-lotus-lotus-elise-2007 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT 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. https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise https://plaincars.com/make/lotus-elise#recall-11V510000-lotus-lotus-elise-2006 Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT 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.