The 2007 Lotus Elise has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 5,492 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 10 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING13V0410002013-02-05451 affected
Defect
Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. 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 replace the oil cooler hose fittings and the entire lateral oil cooler hose, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 4, 2013. Owners may contact Lotus at 1-800-245-6887.
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
3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
POWER TRAIN
1
Total complaints10
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The 2007+ lotus elise/ exige are all equipped with a shifter that is prone to failure. I have personally had a broken shifter while driving on the highway and was stuck at the 3rd gear and almost got into a car accident. Many have also reported the same situation. It's believed to be true that the…”
“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…”
“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…”
“Second time this has happened. Received new engine from lotus 4/21/2012 and had about 700 miles on new engine. Was driving on residential street in mid gears. Noted some odd engine rattling noises briefly. Seconds later, strong smell of gasoline which dissipated. Then saw flickering instrument…”
“Aware of nhtsa recall # 11v-510 having received letter from lotus cars usa but was told this vehicle was probably not affected. Monitored for signs of oil leakage anyway but saw nothing: no change in oil level on dipstick checks, no signs of oil under car. While accelerating on expressway, had low…”
“Driving in second gear and changing into third gear the radiator exploded and splashed hot coolant all over the windshield. Fortunately I had the roof on, otherwise the hot coolant could have landed on me or my 8 yr. Old son. Lotus uses a terribly designed radiator that has plastic edges, which…”
“Was driving my 2007 lotus elise when the oil hose pulled out of the crimped fitting at the right rear connection to the engine just above the oil filter. This caused all of the oil to quickly leave the engine and coat the right rear tire. I was lucky I was driving straight on a highway at the time…”
“I was on the freeway and moved into the #2 lane and was accelerating. I looked out my rearview mirror and saw what I thought was a dust cloud behind me. I looked at the road in front of me expecting to see some dirt on the road, but there wasn't any. I looked back and it seemed that it was like a…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2007 Lotus Elise as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.