Owners have filed 18 complaints
about the 2006 Lotus Elise with NHTSA between 2006 and 2013.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 2 of 3 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 33
Against the median year of the Lotus Elise. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 29
5.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 97
57% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
1,000 – 9,999 miles
17.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
535.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
642.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
214.3%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 2006peak 3Dec 2013
NHTSA investigations into the 2006 Lotus Elise
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE11022Opened 18 Jul 2011Closed 3 Nov 2011ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS
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 identified instances where the oil cooler lines would detach from their fittings.Lotus attributes this condition to a majority of single supplier affected parts built from June 2004 to November 2006.Lotus states that the cause of the failure is an inadequate process by which the hos...
Recalls on the 2006 Lotus Elise
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 201303995 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the engine oil cooler lines could fail, causing an oil leak. Oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, which could result in a fire. Oil may also be sprayed onto the tires and/or brakes, which could adversely affect vehicles stability. As well, engine oil spilt on the roadway could endanger other road users by making the roadway unexpectedly slippery. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine oil cooler lines. Note: This is an expansion of recall 2011390 for vehicles not previously included in the campaign.
Recall 2011390230 units in Canada
Engine
On certain vehicles, the engine oil cooler lines could fail, causing an oil leak. Oil may contact a hot engine or exhaust component, which could result in a fire. Oil may also be sprayed onto the tires and/or brakes, which could adversely affect vehicles stability. As well, engine oil spilt on the roadway could endanger other road users by making the roadway unexpectedly slippery. These issues could result in property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the engine oil cooler lines.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 35,000 milesLeesburg, VAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL LINE HOSE FITTINGS CONNECTION FAILED CAUSING THE OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE FROM THE OIL THAT SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE NOTICED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PUT THE FIRE OUT HIMSELF AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE OIL LINE HOSE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED FOR AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10390528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 60,200 milesSAN Gabriel, CA
ENGINE
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 FRONT RIGHT SIDE. MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE OIL LINE WAS DIS-ATTACHED FROM THE CONNECTOR. I HAD BEEN TRYING TO THE CALLED THE LOTUS USA # 1800-245-6887 SINCE THE INCIDENT (12/11/13). I CALLED ON 3 DIFFERENT DAYS (12/11/13, 12/20/13, AND 12/23/13); CALLED 5-6 TIMES, AND LEFT 3 VOICE MESSAGES TO [XXX] WITH MY NAME, THE INQUIRY, AND MY PHONE #, AND UNTIL TO DATE (11/24/13) NO ONE EVER CALLED BACK. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #10557199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,300 milesFredericksburg, VA
ENGINE
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 THE NECESSARY PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300.
NHTSA complaint #10458335 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,000 milesSpringdale, AR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 FIND OUT HOW TO PURSUE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,000. ..UPDATED 01/25/16 *BF UPDATED 01/28/16.
NHTSA complaint #10453531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesCharlton, MA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V510000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA complaint #10453317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesCharlotte, NC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL COOLER HOSE SEPARATED FROM FITTING AT THE SANDWICH PLATE ON THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10450517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gaithersburg, MD
POWER TRAIN
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 THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR. MY ONLINE SEARCH FOR A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT HAS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE OIL COOLER LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10441035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gaithersburg, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR. MY ONLINE SEARCH FOR A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT HAS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE OIL COOLER LINES.
NHTSA complaint #10441035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin Park, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
OIL COOLER SUPPLY LINE CONNECTED TO THE SANDWICH PLATE WHERE THE OIL FILTER SCREWS IN, ON MY 06 LOTUS ELISE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE COUPLING, SPRAYING OIL EVERYWHERE AND PERMANENTLY DAMAGING MY ENGINE. THE ENGINE ONLY HAS 50K MILES ON IT, AND NOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NEW MOTOR, AND LABOR COSTING OVER 6000 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT SERIOUSLY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY LOTUS, AS NUMEROUS LOTUS OWNERS ARE REPORTING THIS AND DISCUSSING THIS ON THE ONLINE FORUMS. BEING THE 2ND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE, I AM NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND ALL THE REPAIR COST ARE COMING OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. I WISH THERE WAS SOME WAY I CAN GET SOME COMPENSATION BACK FROM LOTUS, AS I ONLY PUT 5K MILES ON THE CAR BEFORE THIS HAPPENED...
NHTSA complaint #10424209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesLAS Cruces, NM
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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 LIGHT AND SAW THAT IT WAS ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. THERE WAS OIL COVERING THE RIGHT REAR TIRE, BRAKE ASSEMBLY, AND SUSPENSION. THE REMAINING TWO OR THREE QUARTS CAME OUT WHILE I WAS CALLING THE TOW TRUCK. THE SHOP MECHANICS SAID THAT THE OIL COOLER HOSE SLIPPED OUT OF IT'S CRIMP AND HE SHOWED ME A PHOTOGRAPH. I FOUND OUT LATER THAT THERE IS NO EASY FIX. ACCORDING TO THE EXPERTS IN THE LOTUSTALK FORUMS, IT'S COMMON FOR THE CRIMPS TO COME UNDONE. ALTHOUGH I HAD SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE IN TIME TO AVOID A COMPLETE SEIZE UP, THE REPAIR COST WILL STILL BE AROUND $2000 TO REPLACE THE HOSES AND CLAMPS. MOST OF THE COST IS FROM LABOR BECAUSE IT'S DIFFICULT TO PULL THE HOSES THROUGH AND THE FRONT CLAMSHELL NEEDS TO BE REMOVED. THERE ARE AFTERMARKET KITS TO REPLACE THESE OIL COOLER HOSE/CLAMP SYSTEMS. I HAVEN'T FIGURED OUT HOW I'M GOING TO DO THE REPAIRS YET BECAUSE THE NEAREST LOTUS DEALER IS $250 MILES AWAY. ALTHOUGH I WAS UNINJURED, I CAN SEE HOW THIS COULD CAUSE INJURIES - EITHER FROM THE BRAKE ROTORS GETTING COATED WITH OIL, FIRES, OR THE ENGINE SEIZING UP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY. THE LOTUS ELISE IS A GREAT CAR, BUT THE OIL COOLER HOSE CLAMPS IN THE EARLIER MODELS ARE A BIG PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #10421090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,000 milesIrvine, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE CAR IN THE FRONT CLAM AREA.
NHTSA complaint #10417145 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,860 milesAnnapolis, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
OIL COOLER LINE CRIMP FITTING FAILED AT THE SANDWICH PLATE ADAPTER WHILE DRIVING ONTO A HIGHWAY RAMP. CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE APPEARED IN REARVIEW MIRROR AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TURNED VEHICLE ENGINE OFF AND REPAIRED MYSELF BY MODIFYING THE CRIMP THAT FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #10415515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,827 milesLOS Angeles, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesLeesburg, VAFire
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL LINE HOSE FITTINGS CONNECTION FAILED CAUSING THE OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE FROM THE OIL THAT SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE NOTICED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PUT THE FIRE OUT HIMSELF AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE OIL LINE HOSE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED FOR AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
NHTSA complaint #10390528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,900 milesMckinleyville, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ON MY 2006 LOTUS ELISE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WASN'T IN A POSITION TO PULL OVER FOR A FEW MORE MILES DOWN THE ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOCKED UP AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OIL WAS IN THE TIRES AND ALL OVER THE BACK OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE OIL HOSE CAME LOSE, CAUSING THE OIL TO SPEW OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO LOTUS OF S.F. MULTIPLE TIMES TO RECEIVE OTHER WARRANTY WORK ON THE CAR. NOW THE ENGINE IS NOT WORKING RIGHT. I'M VERY UPSET AS LOTUS NEVER ADDRESSED THIS PROBLEM AND SHOULD HAVE, ESPECIALLY WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO NEED A NEW ENGINE. ALL IT WAS A HOSE CRIMP THAT CAME LOSE, WHY COULDN'T THEY HAVE LET ME KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE FIXED BY LOTUS! MANY OTHER PEOPLE ON LOTUSTALK.COM HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SOON SO THAT I CAN HAVE THIS CAR FIXED WITHOUT HAVING TO POCKET OUT MY MONIES FOR ANEW ENGINE!
NHTSA complaint #10381380 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,400 milesHalf Moon BAY, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN I NOTICED OIL LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE CAR TO NEARBY SERVICE STATION AND NOTICED REAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COVERED IN OIL AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER CAR. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED OIL COOLER LINE. SEVERAL SOURCES (WEB FORUM, MECHANIC) HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THESE CARS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF TRACTION, OR ENGINE FIRE UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES.
NHTSA complaint #10363130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,700 milesLA Crosse, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
BADLY WORN SECOND CAM CAUSING MISFIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10280590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,000 milesSAN Antonio, TX
SUSPENSION:REAR
I WAS TURNING LEFT OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ACCELERATING IN A SAFE BUT ENTHUSIASTIC MANNER WHEN I FELT A VIOLENT SHUDDER/VIBRATION AT AROUND 30-35 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND FELT INCREASED DRAG AS IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION AND FOUND THE MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS PUSHED UP INTO THE FENDER AND THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE HEADS HAD POPPED OF THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO THE WHEEL HUB. I POSTED THIS INFO ON A CAR FORUM AND FOUND THAT MY CAR IS NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS IS HAPPENING TO. ONE MEMBER POSTED A VIDEO THAT HAPPENED TO CATCH THE EVENT. THIS IS THE LINK TO THE FORUM THAT WILL CONTAIN EXTRA INFO. HTTP://WWW.ELISETALK.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=40858&HIGHLIGHT=CONTROL+ARM
NHTSA complaint #10192737 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pflugerville, TX
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
PLEASE NOTE, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE YET, BUT OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE. THE REAR SUSPENSION INNER TOE LINK HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL ON THE 05 + 06 LOTUS ELISE. I HAVE SEEN FAILURES OF THIS PART SHEARING APART ON VEHICLES WITH AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES THE CAR TO BECOME UNCONTROLLABLE AND UNDRIVEABLE. IT IS A SERIOUS SITUATION WHERE SOMEONE COULD BE INJURED OR KILLED. LUCKILY NO ONE HAS OF YET. HERE IS AN INTERNET LINK THAT DESCRIBES THE ISSUE IN A LITTLE BETTER DETAIL, AND SHOWS WHAT HAPPENS TO THE TOE LINK. HTTP://WWW.ELISETALK.COM/FORUMS/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=392088&POSTCOUNT=34 HERE IS ALSO ANOTHER PICTURE OF A DIFFERENT FAILURE OF THIS PIECE. HTTP://WWW.1017.ORG/TEMP/TOELINK.JPG I UNDERSTAND THAT LOTUS SPORT HAS A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING BETTER JOINTS, AND A SUSPENSION BRACE. I WOULD URGE THE NHTSA TO PRESSURE LOTUS INTO DOING A RETROFIT FOR EXISTING CARS, AND IMPROVE THE DESIGN GOING FORWARD. FOR SOME INFO ON THAT BRACE, HERE IS ONE INTERNET DISCUSSION. HTTP://WWW.ELISETALK.COM/FORUMS/SHOWPOST.PHP?P=179555&POSTCOUNT=1 THANKS FOR YOUR TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10158149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.