2005 Lotus Elise Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 7%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,764miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Lotus Elise, 7% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,764 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Right side oil cooler hose blew off while traveling at 65mph spraying oil over the right back tire. The engine seized and car coasted to a stop position on side of road. Car was inoperable and towed to dealer.”
NHTSA complaint #10470694, filed 2012-08, 62,800 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Lotus Elise. The contact stated that he received a recall notice in january 2012 for NHTSA campaign id number:11v510000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact stated that he tried to get the vehicle repaired but the manufacturer stated that they were working on trying to determine how to repair the vehicle. The contact stated he wanted to get the vehicle repaired but it was taking too long for the vehicle to be serviced under the recall, which had exceeded a reasonable amount of time. The contact had not experienced a failure. Updated 8/6/12 updated 08/14/2012”
NHTSA complaint #10464247, filed 2012-07Related service bulletins
- 10175849May 19, 2020Any unauthorised modifications, including fitment of non-approved after-market air filter resulting in generation of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCâs) P0101 & P1109. We have had…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Lotus Elise
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsWheels
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Lotus Elise
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology