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2007 Lotus EliseProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 8 owner complaints about the 2007 Lotus Elise, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints80 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage25kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 6, 2018. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2007 Lotus Elise has problems

8 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling40
Engine30
Fuel/propulsion system20
Power train10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2007 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

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 13V-041 · Feb 5, 2013 · 451 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 11V-510 · Oct 14, 2011 · 5,041 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Best & worst years

2007 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
In owners' words

What Elise owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 10455149 · Apr 7, 2012 · 34,000 miles
WAS DRIVING MY 2007 LOTUS ELISE WHEN THE OIL HOSE PULLED OUT OF THE CRIMPED FITTING AT THE RIGHT REAR CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE JUST ABOVE THE OIL FILTER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF THE OIL TO QUICKLY LEAVE THE ENGINE AND COAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I WAS LUCKY I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME…
Complaint 10420414 · Aug 17, 2011 · 20,000 miles
DRIVING IN SECOND GEAR AND CHANGING INTO THIRD GEAR THE RADIATOR EXPLODED AND SPLASHED HOT COOLANT ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE ROOF ON, OTHERWISE THE HOT COOLANT COULD HAVE LANDED ON ME OR MY 8 YR. OLD SON. LOTUS USES A TERRIBLY DESIGNED RADIATOR THAT HAS PLASTIC EDGES, WHICH…
Complaint 10405272 · Jun 6, 2011 · 29,000 miles

Own a 2007 Elise?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.