Lotus Elise Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 71 consumer complaints across the 3 model years of the Lotus Elise (2005–2007) that have at least 5 complaints. 2005 has the most, with 46. Across all years, the part named most often is engine cooling (43 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Elise model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 8 | 31,500 | 2 | 12 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 17 | 32,500 | 1 | 15 | — | Stable |
| 2005 | 46 | 28,000 | 2 | 13 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine cooling43 57%
- Engine8 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain7 9.2%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)4 5.3%
- Suspension4 5.3%
- Other or unknown4 5.3%
- Electrical system4 5.3%
- Fuel system2 2.6%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2005: “While driving at highway speeds I suddenly smelled oil and looked down to see my oil pressure light come on. I immediately pulled over and found oil coming out of the right front side of the car onto the right front and rear tires. Upon have the vehicle towed to a repair should they found that the incoming oil line into the passenger side oil cooler had completely separated from the connector.”
NHTSA complaint #10397512, filed 2011-04, 45,000 miles2006: “The hose connecting the two oil coolers in the front of the car failed on the freeway. I felt the car dangerously losing traction on the left side of the driver and I also saw the oil light coming on, and pulled over immediately. I had to replace the hose, it cost me $775. Two weeks from that, the hose fitting failed again, my car is in the shop right now, who knows how much the damage is now.”
NHTSA complaint #10402119, filed 2011-05, 38,827 miles2007: “I was on the freeway driving at freeway speeds in the #1 lane when I smelled burning oil. I hadn't noticed the car performing differently so I looked ahead to the forward cars for the 'gross polluter' causing the smell. I didn't see anyone with my first forward inspection. I then immediately noticed the oil light lit on the dash. At the same instant I looked out of the side mirror and saw smoke pouring from my car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10482713, filed 2012-10, 89,000 milesOther Lotus models
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology