2005 Lotus Elise problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine And Engine Cooling (14) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (5) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System (4)
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
43 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings 2011-10-14 · campaign 11V510000 · 5,041 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (13)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2022-03-16 · sb_2022_01_Lotus · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
standard information required and procedures to be followed when reporting ecu & tcu faults. there is often insufficient, or inconsistent information received from dealers when reporting ecu & tcu related faults, this can lead to unacceptable delays in repairing vehicles.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2021-06-16 · sb_2021_06_DTC · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
there is often inconsistent or insufficient information received from dealers when reporting ecu and tcu related faults. this bulletin aims to standardise the information when filing a claim to after sales.
Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner 2020-09-30 · TSB_2020_03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
air conditioning compressors failing due to oil starvation. tsb reminds dealers of correct replacement and running-in procedures.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2020-05-19 · sb_2020_01 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
any unauthorised modifications, including fitment of non-approved after-market air filter resulting in generation of diagnostic trouble codes (dtcâs) p0101 & p1109. we have had several instances where dtcâs p0101 & p1109 had been set and the car recovered into the dealer, only for them to find t
Wheels 2019-05-15 · sb_2019_06_Elise · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
compatibility of yokohama ad07 and v105 tire product ranges for the elise model range.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages 2016-09-02 · 2016-06 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
recommendation of revision to manual brake bleeding procedure on any elise models fitted with a brake servo unit. whilst performing a brake fluid bleeding procedure, it is possible that the brake pedal may not fully return to its released/uppermost position (when being fully actuated as part of the
Showing the 6 most recent of 13 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2014-05-20 · Service Brakes · 41,187 mi · 🔥 fire“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 coo…”
2013-11-26 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 3,500 mi“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 …”
2013-04-15 · Engine And Engine Cooling“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 expla…”
2012-08-15 · Engine · 62,800 mi“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…”
2012-08-15 · Engine · 78,729 mi“front oil cooler hose blew off spraying underside of car with oil. pulled vehicle over and towed to dealer for maintenance fix. *tr…”
2012-07-05 · Engine“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 contac…”
2012-03-05 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 28,000 mi“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/rec…”
2012-02-12 · Suspension · 1,100 mi“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…”
2011-09-25 · Wheels · 26,000 mi“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…”
2011-08-17 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 29,268 mi“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 d…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.