no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
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…
2005 Lotus EliseProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 46 owner complaints about the 2005 Lotus Elise, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through May 20, 2014. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Lotus Elise has problems
46 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
28Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
5Power train
4Visibility1 crash/fire/injury
4Electrical system
3Engine
3Suspension
1Wheels
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service brakes
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 28 | 2 |
| Power train | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2005 Lotus Elise recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Power train: manual transmission
Risk. THIS COULD RESULT IN THE INABILITY TO CHANGE GEARS, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Lotus.
Mileage at failure
When do engine and engine cooling problems start?
28kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 27 engine and engine cooling complaints. 100% were reported before 100,000 miles.
15under 30k miles27under 100k miles0100k miles or more
Best & worst years
2005 vs. every other Elise year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Elise median. How we score
'05'06'07'08'09'10'11
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Lotus Elise, and the recalls they led to.
- Engine Oil Cooler Line DetachmentLed to recall 11V-510
In owners' words
What Elise owners report
Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2005 Elise?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.