1991 Lotus Elan Problems
- Complaints
- 13filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 1.6L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1991 Lotus Elan (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1991 Lotus Elan. The part named most often is fuel system, with 12 complaints (92% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (1) and visibility (1). NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the tank assembly filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system12 92%
- Vehicle speed control1 7.7%
Example complaints
Fuel system: “Apperantly this is a known issue with the Lotus ELAN fuel tank. Lotus wants to charge me for repairing something they know is faulty due to poor design. I have spoken with other ELAN owners and some have paid the fee for the new tank as well as the service charges totalling over $1,000. I along with all the other owners would like Lotus to step up and take responsibility for this.”
NHTSA complaint #758628, filed 2002-02Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “Near the top of the fuel tank there is a crack. When filling vehicle up with fuel it leaks. Took vehicle to dealer and had it repaired. Dealer replaced the fuel tank, it was split on one side. Window regulator broke and was inoperative.”
NHTSA complaint #8006942, filed 2002-04Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1991 Lotus Elan version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elan FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 29 | 24 | $3,400 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 02V199000Jul 25, 2002Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Lotus Elan 1991–1992
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel tanks can leak.
Recall details for the 1991 Lotus Elan → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1991 Lotus Elan.
Other model years of the Lotus Elan
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 13 | — | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1991 Lotus Elan have?
NHTSA recorded 13 consumer complaints for the 1991 Lotus Elan as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1991 Lotus Elan is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 12 complaints (92% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 1.
Has the 1991 Lotus Elan been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1991 Lotus Elan get?
The EPA rates the 1991 Lotus Elan (Elan, 1.6L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.