2005 LOTUS ELISE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
54
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
3
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2005 LOTUS ELISE
The 2005 LOTUS ELISE has received a total of 54 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 3 technical service bulletins have been issued by Lotus Cars Limited for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Cooling (18 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System (5 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingengine (5 complaints).
Recalls for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE, potentially affecting up to 11,822 vehicles.
Recall 11V510000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
| 5,041 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 11V510000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 5,041 vehicles affected
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
View full details →Recall 05V571000 — POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
| 1,740 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE GEAR LEVER MAY BREAK.
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE
54 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Train | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmission | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionrear | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainmanual Transmissionfloor Shift Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
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.
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
Safety Rating for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2005 LOTUS ELISE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE
Lotus Cars Limited has issued 3 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2016-06 — EQUIPMENT
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 manual bleeding...
2015-08 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Retrofitment of the latest level CDL (Central Door Locking) actuator to earlier models if required. Due to parts obsolescence the CDL actuator assembly, part number B116M6039F is no longer available. This actuator was fitted into each door of any Toyota powertrain Elise and 4/6 cylinder Exiges from start of production...
200607 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPDATED ECU PROGRAMMES AND SERVICE SCHEDULES. *AK
NHTSA Investigations for the 2005 LOTUS ELISE
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the LOTUS ELISE
- 2005 LOTUS ELISE (current)
- 2006 LOTUS ELISE — 18 complaints
- 2007 LOTUS ELISE — 10 complaints
- 2008 LOTUS ELISE — 0 complaints
- 2009 LOTUS ELISE — 1 complaint
- 2010 LOTUS ELISE — 0 complaints
Other LOTUS Models
- LOTUS EVORA — 22 total complaints
- LOTUS ELAN — 17 total complaints
- LOTUS EXIGE S — 9 total complaints
- LOTUS ESPRIT — 3 total complaints
- LOTUS EXIZE — 2 total complaints
- LOTUS EMIRA — 1 total complaint
- LOTUS EXIGE — 1 total complaint
- LOTUS 2-ELEVEN — 0 total complaints