The 2006 Lotus Elise has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 5,041 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11V5100002011-10-145,041 affected
Defect
LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS FITTING.
Consequence
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 FIRE.
Remedy
LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.
Complaints by component
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
7
ENGINE
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2
1fires
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2
POWER TRAIN
1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
1
SUSPENSION:REAR
1
Total complaints18
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“I have an inquire in regard to my 2006 lotus elise (vin [xxx]) oil line issue that happened on 12/11/13. I was driving normally and the engine light came on all the sudden. I pulled over shortly after. While waiting for the tow truck, I already can see that the engine oil was leaking from the…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lotus elise. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked when he noticed that oil was leaking abnormally. An independent mechanic examined the vehicle and advised the contact that oil was leaking from the oil filter. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and…”
“Oil cooler hose separated from fitting at the sandwich plate on the engine. *tr”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lotus elise. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 11v510000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hose). The manufacturer was made aware of the situation and the contact was awaiting a response to…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 lotus elise. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 11v510000 (engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hose). The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that they had no time frame as to when…”
“As I was pulling onto my street, the oil light came on the dash. I immediately found a place to stop and park the car, at which time I noticed the smell of oil in the cabin. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed oil on the front driver's side tire & wheel, and approximately 30 minutes after parking…”
“As I was pulling onto my street, the oil light came on the dash. I immediately found a place to stop and park the car, at which time I noticed the smell of oil in the cabin. Upon exiting the vehicle I noticed oil on the front driver's side tire & wheel, and approximately 30 minutes after parking…”
“I was driving home from work, and after about half of a mile I started to smell burning oil and thought to myself "boy, I'm glad that smell isn't coming from my car!" I was traveling at about 55 mph. I looked in my rear view mirror and saw a thick trail of oil following me and looked at my oil…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE11022 Opened 2011-07-18 · closed 2011-11-03
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
On October 14, 2011, Lotus Cars USA Inc. notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety recall (11V-510) to address concerns with engine oil cooler lines detaching from its crimped fitting on MY 2005-2006 Lotus Elise vehicles.In its 573 report to ODI, Lotus indicated that they have…
InvestigationPE11022 Opened 2011-07-18 · closed 2011-11-03
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
On October 14, 2011, Lotus Cars USA Inc. notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety recall (11V-510) to address concerns with engine oil cooler lines detaching from its crimped fitting on MY 2005-2006 Lotus Elise vehicles.In its 573 report to ODI, Lotus indicated that they have…
InvestigationPE11022 Opened 2011-07-18 · closed 2011-11-03
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
On October 14, 2011, Lotus Cars USA Inc. notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety recall (11V-510) to address concerns with engine oil cooler lines detaching from its crimped fitting on MY 2005-2006 Lotus Elise vehicles.In its 573 report to ODI, Lotus indicated that they have…
InvestigationPE11022 Opened 2011-07-18 · closed 2011-11-03
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
On October 14, 2011, Lotus Cars USA Inc. notified the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) that it will conduct a safety recall (11V-510) to address concerns with engine oil cooler lines detaching from its crimped fitting on MY 2005-2006 Lotus Elise vehicles.In its 573 report to ODI, Lotus indicated that they have…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2006 Lotus Elise as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.