2005 Lotus Elise Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 9%of 46 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,400miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the visibility of the 2005 Lotus Elise, 9% of the 46 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,400 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“I own a 2005 Lotus Elise. While driving the vehicle during a rain storm the front defroster would not operate, which subsequently reduced my visibility as a consequence, as I was getting ready to pull over to the side and sit, I ran into flood water as a result of not being able to see properly. I contacted the dealership where I was informed that the reason this happened was the fan motor pack needed to be replaced which would cost me 1900 dollars. …”
NHTSA complaint #10328853, filed 2010-05, 10,500 miles“My 2005 Lotus Elise has a inherent problem with the A/C fan not working. This si a design flaw in the resistor being placed were it is prone to water intrusion.”
NHTSA complaint #10308806, filed 2010-02, 15,800 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Lotus Elise. The contact stated while driving the vehicle during a rain storm the front defroster would not operate, which subsequently reduced his visibility as a consequence his risk for serious injury and crash were increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the fan motor pack needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 23000.”
NHTSA complaint #10282538, filed 2009-09, 23,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Lotus Elise. The contact stated that the defroster was inoperative, which reduced visibility during cold weather. He took the vehicle to a dealer and was informed that the resistor pack corroded because of its location and needed to be replaced. The repair would cost $2,000. The manufacturer stated that because there was only a TSB rather than a recall, and because his vehicle exceeded its warranty, they would not assume responsibility for the repair. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 23,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10248838, filed 2008-11, 23,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10143124Feb 21, 2014Retrofitment of the latest level windscreen washer bottle/pump assembly to earlier models if required. Due to parts obsolescence the windscreen washer bottle/pump assembly fitted…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2005 Lotus Elise
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine
3 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 29, 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