NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Lotus Elise Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Lotus Elise has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 46 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Lotus dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Lotus Elise. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Lotus Elise owner complaints

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lotus Elise, describing incidents dated October 12, 2004 to April 15, 2014.

Most-cited components

Engine 31 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Visibility/Wiper 4 complaints
Suspension 3 complaints
Unknown or Other 2 complaints

Of the 46 complaints on file, 2 report a crash and 1 a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10592736 · Filed May 20, 2014
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…
ODI #10553905 · Filed November 26, 2013
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…
ODI #10508023 · Filed April 15, 2013
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…

Read all 46 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Lotus Elise in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE11-022: Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
Closed November 3, 2011
- Recall 11V-510
- Recall 13V-041

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

OIL COOLER LINE DETACHMENT

NHTSA #11V510000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported October 14, 2011 · LOTUS CARS LTD

Potentially affected: 5,041 vehicles

Owners notified January 9, 2013 · Vehicles built June 1, 2004 – November 30, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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 1-800-245-6887.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

GEAR LEVER

NHTSA #05V571000 · Power Train — Manual Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported December 29, 2005 · GROUP LOTUS PLC

Potentially affected: 1,740 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2006 / 1R · Owners notified February 10, 2006 · Vehicles built April 8, 2004 – February 3, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

LOTUS RECALL NO. 2006 / 1R.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2005 Lotus Elise. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

46 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Lotus Elise.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Service Brakes

ODI #10592736

Fire

Incident: April 15, 2014 · Filed: May 20, 2014

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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,187. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,250.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10553905

Incident: November 18, 2013 · Filed: November 26, 2013

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 TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10508023

Incident: November 1, 2009 · Filed: April 15, 2013

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 THE RECALL EXPLAINED THE DEFECT WAS ON LOTUS VEHICLE MANUFACTURED FROM 2004-2006. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED HIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2006. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX MONTHS OUT WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER 2009. THE CONSUMER STATED FOR SOME REASON, THE REIMBURSEMENT WINDOW BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2010.

Engine

ODI #10470695

Incident: April 28, 2010 · Filed: August 15, 2012

FRONT OIL COOLER HOSE BLEW OFF SPRAYING UNDERSIDE OF CAR WITH OIL. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TOWED TO DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE FIX. *TR

Engine

ODI #10470694

Incident: March 2, 2009 · Filed: August 15, 2012

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

Engine

ODI #10464247

Incident: January 4, 2012 · Filed: July 5, 2012

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 IT WAS TAKING TOO LONG FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL, WHICH HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. UPDATED 8/6/12 *CN UPDATED 08/14/2012 *JS

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10450305

Incident: March 1, 2012 · Filed: March 5, 2012

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=215286&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=LOTUS&MODEL=ELISE&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=2005&SEARCHTYPE=DRILLDOWN NOTE: CAN'T GET EXACT MILEAGE OF CAR BECAUSE IT REQUIRES TURNING THE ENGINE ON. *TR

Suspension; Power Train; Electrical System

ODI #10447649

Incident: October 12, 2004 · Filed: February 12, 2012

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 REPLACED)-- HAVE ALL FAILED. LOTUS DEALERSHIPS WHERE NEVER ABLE TO LOCATE OR FIX WIRING PROBLEM (FOX VALLEY, AURORA IL ANOTHER LAKE FOREST HAS NO AUTHORIZED LOTUS MECHANIC.) LOTUS USA INC. COVERED MOST UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRED ,NOW WILL NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS OR E-MAILS (OVER 15 SENT IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.). AUTO NOW HAS 26,666 MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE AUGUST OF 2010. IT WILL NOT PAST WISCONSIN EMISSIONS SO I AM UNABLE TO GET LICENSE PLATES ALSO IT WILL CHANGE LANES OFF A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT WARNING. AUTO WAS NEVER ON A TRACK AND ALWAYS STORED IN A HEAT AND RODENT CONTROLLED AREA. A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT WORKED ON AUTO STATED "THE WIRING HARNESS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PULLED AND INSTALLED THROUGH OUT THE AUTO WITH OUT REGARD TO SHARP EDGES OR CARE IN ANYWAY", HE FOUND NO RODENT DAMAGE.

Engine and Engine Cooling; Wheels

ODI #10427071

Incident: September 19, 2011 · Filed: September 25, 2011

OEM OIL COOLING LINE CRIMP LET GO THAT IS IN FRONT WHEEL WELL TO OIL COOLER. ENGINE OIL POURED ALL OVER FRONT TIRE AND BRAKES. EVEN AT 15 MPH I LOST CONTROL. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10419914

Incident: March 29, 2010 · Filed: August 17, 2011

THIS IS A COMPLAINT FOR A 2005 LOTUS ELISE OIL LINE FAILURE. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TWO OIL LINE FAILURES TOGETHER BUT IN RETROSPECT SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THEM INDIVIDUALLY AS THEY OCCURRED AT SEPARATE TIMES. THE FIRST OIL LINE FAILURE OCCURRED ON 3/29/2010. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER IT. I DID NOT EVER SEE A DROP OF OIL FROM THE CAR PREVIOUSLY. I PAID 1,066 TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE OIL LINE REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OIL LINE SHOULD BE FIXED BUT I WAS NOT TOLD THAT IF IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING THAT I COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE OIL LINE DID INDEED FAIL 4 MONTHS LATER BUT THIS TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH. THE ENTIRE OIL CAPACITY OF THE ENGINE SPRAYED ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR TIRES AS WELL AS THE WINDSHIELD. NOT ONLY WAS IT LIKE DRIVING ON A SHEET OF ICE, I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME AS I SLID INTO IT. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND PULL OVER. BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER THE ENGINE WAS RUINED REQUIRING ME TO PAY APPROXIMATELY 8,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE AND NEW OIL LINES. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR SHOWING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR COVERED IN OIL. UPDATED 08-29/11 *BF *KB UPDATED 05/03/12

Other Lotus Elise model years

Check your 2005 Lotus Elise VIN

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