Model year record

2005 LOTUS Elise

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 54 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 11V510000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Manufacturer
LOTUS CARS LTD
Vehicles affected
5,041
Reported to NHTSA
2011-10-14
Owners notified
2013-01-09

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 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.

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V571000

Power train: manual transmission

Component
Power train: manual transmission
Manufacturer
GROUP LOTUS PLC
Vehicles affected
1,740
Reported to NHTSA
2005-12-29
Owners notified
2006-02-10

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling1829,268 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system530,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine522,000 mi
Electrical system418,000 mi
Engine362,800 mi
Visibility315,800 mi
Power train21,100 mi
Power train: manual transmission21,600 mi
Suspension: rear231,983 mi
Unknown or other230,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings114,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline118,293 mi
Latches/locks/linkages19,105 mi
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly1
Service brakes141,187 mi
Suspension11,100 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system123,000 mi
Wheels126,000 mi

The 2006 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.