Lotus Elise Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Lotus Elise options? We analyzed 8 model years (2005–2012) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Lotus Elise has 72 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls across model years 2005–2012. The most reported issue area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 2007 drew the most complaints; 2011 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Lotus
- Model
- Elise
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2012 (8 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 72
- Safety recall campaigns
- 12
- Crash-related complaints
- 2
- Fire-related complaints
- 2
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2007 (8 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2011 (0 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Reliability signal
- Average
By model year
Lotus Elise: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the complaint data suggests
AverageThe LOTUS ELISE has 72 NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. 2 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 72 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 12 federal recall campaigns
- 2 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
12 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHEELS:HUB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2012. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 72 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
72 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
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 FAILURE. ALMOST EVERY CASE THAT HAS SURFACED ON INTERNET HAS SHOWN THE IDENTICAL BROKEN STRUCTURE WHICH WE CALLED THE "BLUE BALL". IT IS MADE WITH PLASTIC AND IS COMMONLY SHATTERED IN PIECES, AND THAT HAPPENS, THE ENTIRE SHIFTER IS LOOSE AND BROKEN.
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 POURING FROM MY CAR. (THIS HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND I MAY HAVE NOTICED THE REAR SMOKE BEFORE THE OIL LIGHT.) I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, DRIFTED THROUGH 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS WITHIN 1000 OR SO FEET. I DRIFTED OFF THE EXIT ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND INTO THE GAS STATION ON THE CORNER. MY WIFE CAME SOON AFTER AND NOTICED THE LARGE OIL SPILL ON THE FREEWAY ROAD SURFACE WHERE IT OCCURRED. WHEN I WENT TO INSPECT THE CAR WHEN I STOPPED AT THE GAS STATION I SAW SEVERAL OIL PUDDLE FORMING IN THE REAR ON THE GROUND (IN THE MIDDLE AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE), THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS COVERED IN OIL, THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WAS COVERED IN OIL INCLUDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THAT SIDE, OIL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND, AND SMOKE WAS POURING FROM THE ENGINE BAY. WHEN I OPENED THE ENGINE BAY IT WAS SMOKING AND COVERED WITH OIL. I WAS A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT IT COULD CATCH FIRE, HOWEVER IT DIDN'T. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND TOWED IT TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER THE EVENT I WAS WONDERING ABOUT THE CARS BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR THEM FOLLOWING ME AFTER MY CAR RELEASED 10 QUARTS OF OIL ONTO THE FREEWAY AND ONTO THEIR WINDSHIELDS. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THE OIL LINE COUPLING HAD FAILED IN THE REAR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THAT THIS OCCURRED TO ME WITH THIS CAR. *TR
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 OR 70 MPH AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE DRIVABILITY. I LOOKED AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL & NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON. I SHOT OVER TO THE EXIT AND TO THE OFF-RAMP. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STRAINING ON THE OFF RAMP AND ON THE VERGE OF STALLING BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I COULDN'T STOP ON THE OFF RAMP AND LUCKILY I HAD A GREEN LIGHT SO I TURNED RIGHT AND THEN RIGHT AGAIN AT THE NEXT BLOCK AND PULLED INTO A COMMERCIAL DRIVEWAY AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. I PROBABLY DROVE A TOTAL OF ABOUT A HALF MILE WITH THE OIL LEAKING OUT. THERE WAS A TRAIL OF OIL ON THE ROAD AND A PUDDLE DEVELOPED UNDER THE CAR WHERE I STOPPED. WHEN I GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE CAR I FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR AND BACK OF THE CAR (AND UNDERNEATH) WAS COVERED IN OIL. BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER WHEELS WERE COVERED IN OIL. NO OIL WAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AT ALL. THE OIL LEAK / LOSS SEEMED TO BE IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AND ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. IT WAS I DON'T RECALL ANYTHING ODD HAPPENING WITH THE CAR. IT DIDN'T FEEL LIKE I HIT ANYTHING OR THAT ANYTHING??BROKE?? AS I WAS DRIVING IT. THE OIL CLOUD?? IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS MY FIRST SIGN THAT SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED. I LATER FOUND OUT FROM MY MECHANIC THAT THE OIL LINE COUPLING HAD FAILED IN THE FRONT WHERE IT CONNECTED TO THE OIL COOLER. AFTER THE EVENT I WONDERED ABOUT THE CARS BEHIND ME ON THE FREEWAY AND WHAT IT WAS LIKE FOR THEM FOLLOWING ME AFTER THE RELEASE OF 10 QUARTS OF OIL ONTO THE FREEWAY AND THEIR WINDSHIELDS. *TR
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 FULL. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED BY FLAT BED BACK TO LOTUS DEALER IN NJ. *TR
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 TO A SAFE HALT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WAS COVERED IN OIL, APPARENTLY ORIGINATING AT OIL COOLER LOCATED IN FRONT OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOTUS DEALER AND OIL LINE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BURST. AFTER FIXING, WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOUND OF CYLINDER DAMAGE IN ENGINE. LOTUS WILL BE REPLACING THE ENGINE AT THEIR COST PER DEALER'S REPORT TO ME ON 4/3/2012.
WAS DRIVING MY 2007 LOTUS ELISE WHEN THE OIL HOSE PULLED OUT OF THE CRIMPED FITTING AT THE RIGHT REAR CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE JUST ABOVE THE OIL FILTER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF THE OIL TO QUICKLY LEAVE THE ENGINE AND COAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I WAS LUCKY I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A CORNER, WITH TRACTION LOST ON THE REAR TIRE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT.
Read 14 more owner reports
DRIVING IN SECOND GEAR AND CHANGING INTO THIRD GEAR THE RADIATOR EXPLODED AND SPLASHED HOT COOLANT ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE ROOF ON, OTHERWISE THE HOT COOLANT COULD HAVE LANDED ON ME OR MY 8 YR. OLD SON. LOTUS USES A TERRIBLY DESIGNED RADIATOR THAT HAS PLASTIC EDGES, WHICH BECOME BRITTLE AND EXPLODE OVER TIME. THIS IS A COMMON DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON WWW.LOTUSTALK.COM. WHY THEY DO NOT USE AN ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR, IS BEYOND ME.
1. NOTHING WAS OBVIOUS LEADING YOU TO THE EVENT. 2. FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE, BUT CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. 3. ENGINE WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY. *TR
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 BEGINS TO SLOW QUICKLY. APPLIED BRAKE. NOTHING. BELIEVE PEDAL DID NOT TRAVEL ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR. CHANGED TO #3 LANE TO AVOID COLLISION WITH CAR IN FRONT. REAPPLIED BRAKE. NOTHING. CHANGED TO #4 LANE. TRIED MOVING FOOT OVER IN CASE WRONG PEDAL WAS BEING PUSHED, AND THROTTLE REVVED CONFIRMING SHE HAD BEEN APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL. APPLIED BRAKE A THIRD TIME, AND IT WORKED CORRECTLY, AS IF THERE HAD NEVER BEEN A PROBLEM. I CHECKED FLUID IN RESERVOIR (FULL, COLOR VERY CLEAR, LAST CHANGED 9 MONTHS AGO WITH MOTUL 5.1 SYNTHETIC FLUID(NOT 5, NOT SILICON)). FRONT PADS WERE CHANGED 1 MONTH ~800+ MILES AGO. SHE CAN'T BE POSITIVE THAT THERE WAS ZERO BRAKING EFFECT, BUT SHE WAS VERY SURE THAT THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING IN THEIR NORMAL FASHION. AT NO TIME DURING HER HARD BRAKE PRESSURE DID THE ABS GIVE THE PULSING SENSATION IN THE PEDAL. NO IDIOT LIGHTS FOR BRAKES OR ABS CAME ON. DEALERSHIP TOOK THE REPORT SERIOUSLY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR FIND ANY FAILED COMPONENT OR THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *TR
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.
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
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.
FRONT OIL COOLER HOSE BLEW OFF SPRAYING UNDERSIDE OF CAR WITH OIL. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TOWED TO DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE FIX. *TR
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
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
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
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.
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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,200. THE RIGHT REAR OIL LINE AT THE METAL FITTING IS CURRENTLY LEAKING OIL. UPDATED 10/28/11
Showing 20 of 72 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Lotus Elise
These pages show model-year patterns across 8 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Lotus Elise, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Lotus Elise has 72 complaints on record across 8 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Lotus Elise has 12 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 2 of the Lotus Elise's 72 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Lotus Elise vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Lotus Elise vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Lotus Elise has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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How does the Lotus Elise stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Lotus Elise by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Lotus Elise.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Lotus Elise reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Lotus Elise reliable?
Average. The Lotus Elise has 72 NHTSA owner complaints and 12 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Lotus Elise years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2007 (8 complaints), 2009 (1 complaints), 2011 (0 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Lotus Elise problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (43 complaints); ENGINE (8 complaints); POWER TRAIN (7 complaints).
Does the Lotus Elise have recalls?
Yes — 12 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Lotus Elise. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.