2007 Lotus Elise recalls
Reported Feb 5, 2013 · 451 vehicles affected · Lotus Cars USA, Inc.
Problem: Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. 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 replace the oil cooler hose fittings and the entire lateral oil cooler hose, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 4, 2013. Owners may contact Lotus at 1-800-245-6887.
Reported Oct 14, 2011 · 5,041 vehicles affected · LOTUS CARS LTD
Problem: 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.
2007 Lotus Elise problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | |
| Engine | 3 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | |
| Power Train | 1 | |
Most reported parts
- Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 34,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2007 Lotus Elise complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Power Train · at 3 miles · reported Jul 6, 2018
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 89,000 miles · reported Oct 31, 2012
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…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 55,000 miles · reported Oct 31, 2012
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…
Engine · at 35,167 miles · reported May 13, 2012
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.
Engine and Engine Cooling · at 34,000 miles · reported Apr 7, 2012
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…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2007 Lotus Elise have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2007 Lotus Elise: 13V-041 (engine and engine cooling), 11V-510 (engine and engine cooling). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What is the most common problem with the 2007 Lotus Elise?
Owners report engine and engine cooling problems most often (4 reports), followed by engine (3). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 34,000 miles.
Are Lotus recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Lotus dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.