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Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
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 and remedy
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.
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.
Power train: manual transmission
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE GEAR LEVER MAY BREAK.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Owner complaints (46)
Owners filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lotus Elise/Exige (2 crashes, 1 fires reported). Among 4 model years of this model, it ranks #1 for the most complaints (median 17).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | |
| Power train | 5 | |
| Visibility | 4 | |
| Electrical system | 4 | |
| Suspension | 3 | |
| Engine | 3 | |
| Unknown or other | 2 | |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2005 Lotus Elise/Exige version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Elise/exige 1.8 L Manual 6-spd | 20 | 25 | 22 | $3,750 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.