Model year record

1997 LOTUS Esprit

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. No owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V001000

Equipment: other: labels

Component
Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer
GROUP LOTUS PLC
Vehicles affected
660
Reported to NHTSA
2004-01-05
Owners notified
2004-01-12

Defect description

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO, 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." CERTAIN AIR BAG WARNING LABELS ARE REQUIRED ON BOTH SUN VISORS AND THE ABOVE VEHICLES FAILED TO HAVE THE REQUIRED LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR.

Safety risk

THE ABSENCE OF THE LABELS COULD CREATE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IF THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS IS NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD. IMPROPER USAGE COULD CAUSE INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN THERE IS A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.

Recall campaignNHTSA 98V135000

Wheels: rim

Component
Wheels: rim
Manufacturer
LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
160
Reported to NHTSA
1998-06-22
Owners notified
1998-06-30

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED FOR HARDNESS. THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK.

Safety risk

THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V202000

Wheels: rim

Component
Wheels: rim
Manufacturer
LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
11
Reported to NHTSA
1997-11-19
Owners notified
1997-11-04

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED FOR HARDNESS. THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK.

Safety risk

IF THE REAR WHEELS CRACKED AND BROKE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V244000

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC
Vehicles affected
240
Reported to NHTSA
1996-12-05
Owners notified
1997-01-31

Defect description

AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT SYSTEM WARNING LABELS ARE MISSING FROM THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Safety risk

THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF THEY SO DESIRE, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS INSTALL THESE LABELS FOR THEM.

Owner complaints

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

No complaints recorded for this model year.

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.