2005 Lotus Elise Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES BUT THE PEDAL SANK TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL COOLER LINE FRACTURED CAUSING A LEAK AND AS A RESULT, THE OIL COOLER AND BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,187. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,250.

NHTSA RECALL #11V-510. ON 11/11/13 I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 11/18/13 TO HAVE THE REFERENCED RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE AT STAR MOTOR CARS IN HOUSTON, TX. ON 11/18/13 I BROUGHT THE CAR TO STAR MOTOR CARS TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE. TODAY IS 11/26 AND THE WORK HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AND STAR MOTOR CARS CANNOT TELL ME A DATE THAT IT WILL BE COMPLETED. STAR MOTOR CARS HAS FAILED TO PERFORM THE RECALL WORK IN A TIMELY MANNER. *TR

OIL LINE FAILURE BY THE FRONT LEFT (DRIVER SIDE) TIRE. WAS TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY, NO COLLISION OF ANY SORT. OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STARTED LEAKING OIL BY THE FRONT TIRE. APPARENTLY A RECALL IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT NO FIX IS AVAILABLE YET. RECALL SUMMARY CAN BE SEEN HERE: HTTP://WWW-ODI.NHTSA.DOT.GOV/CARS/PROBLEMS/RECALLS/RECALLSUMMARY.CFM?RCL_CAMPAIGN_ID=11V510000&PROD_ID=215286&MODULETYPE=VEHICLE&MAKE=LOTUS&MODEL=ELISE&VEH_MODEL_YEAR=2005&SEARCHTYPE=DRILLDOWN NOTE: CAN'T GET EXACT MILEAGE OF CAR BECAUSE IT REQUIRES TURNING THE ENGINE ON. *TR

TL* 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 *CN UPDATED 08/14/2012 *JS

OEM OIL COOLING LINE CRIMP LET GO THAT IS IN FRONT WHEEL WELL TO OIL COOLER. ENGINE OIL POURED ALL OVER FRONT TIRE AND BRAKES. EVEN AT 15 MPH I LOST CONTROL. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN FATAL IF DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR

DURING A TIRE ROUTINE TIRE CHANGE, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL OIL STAIN CREEPING UP THE INSIDE OF THE FENDER WELL ON THE LEFT FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS LATER DETERMINED THE OIL COOLER WAS LEAKING AT THE FITTING AND A NEW FITTING WAS INSTALLED TO CORRECT. THE LEAK OCCURRED RATHER SUDDENLY AS THE CAR HAD JUST BEEN IN THE BODY SHOP TO HAVE SOME MINOR BODYWORK FIXED (NON-STUCTURAL AND NOT ABLE TO HAVE CAUSED THE LEAK). AT THE TIME OF THE BODYWORK REPAIRS TIME, LESS THAN 300 MILES PRIOR, THE LEAK WAS NOT PRESENT. IF THE LEAK HAD BEEN PRESENT, THE SUBSEQUENT OIL WOULD HAVE CAUSED POOR PAINT FINISH. WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. DID NOT THINK TO REPORT THE INCIDENT UNTIL NOW, BECAUSE I JUST BECAME AWARE OF A NY TIMES ARCTICLE REPORTING ON NHSTA INVESTIGATION OF OTHER SIMILAR MODEL YEAR LOTUS ELISE/EXIGE CARS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE.

MY CAR IS AN EARLY 2005 LOTUS ELISE WITH TWIN OIL COOLERS. THE BYPASS HOSE CONNECTING TO THE DRIVER SIDE OIL COOLER STARTED TO LEAK OIL AT A FAIRLY FAST PACE. THIS HOSE CONNECTS FROM THE LEFT OIL COOLER TO THE RIGHT COOLER UNDERNEATH THE CLAMSHELL. COSTS TO FIX THIS SERIOUS ISSUE OUT OF WARRANTY ARE EXTREMELY HIGH AS THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING THE ENTIRE OIL COOLER AND HOSE SYSTEM. THERE ARE NOW NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME OR SIMILAR (BASED ON HOSE AND/OR TWIN/SINGLE OIL COOLER SETUPS) ON VARIOUS FORUMS AND SUBMITTED COMPLAINT FORMS TO THE US DOT NHTSA.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE OIL LINE WAS LEAKING AT THE FITTING WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE AND IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11022 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSE) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,881.

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THROUGH CITY TRAFFIC WHEN THE OIL INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE RODE AND CHECKED THE OIL LEVEL. SHOWED IT WAS EMPTY WITH OIL SPILLING ON THE GROUND. TOWED IT TO A REPAIR SHOP TO DISCOVER THAT THE OIL HOSE FITTING HAD BROKEN OFF THE ENGINE CAUSING THE OIL LOSS. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE FUNCTION HAD I NOT PULLED OVER. I HAD THE OIL HOSE REPLACED AND REPLACED THE REMAINING HOSES AS WELL.

AFTER READING OF SERIOUS OIL LINE FITTING FAILURES ON MY MODEL OF CAR, I INSPECTED MY OIL LINE FITTINGS AND FOUND ONE THAT WAS LEAKING. IF THIS FITTING HAD FAILED TO THE POINT WHERE THE HOSE CAME OFF (WHICH HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS), IT WOULD HAVE SPRAYED OIL IN FRONT OF MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND RUINED MY ENGINE. I REPAIRED IT WITH A NEW FITTING THAT IS MORE SECURE THAN THE FACTORY FITTING. I ALSO MADE MEASUREMENTS (USING DIGITAL CALIPERS) OF THE ORIGINAL FITTING CRIMP BEFORE I REMOVED IT, AND ANOTHER FITTING ON THE CAR THAT WASN'T LEAKING OIL. THE MEASUREMENTS SHOWED THAT THE LEAKING FITTING WAS NOT CRIMPED AS TIGHTLY AS THE ONE THAT WASN'T LEAKING. I RECOMMEND THAT THE ORIGINAL CRIMP SPECIFICATIONS BE REVIEWED (THE ORIGINAL SPECIFICATION MAY NOT BE TIGHT ENOUGH), AND THAT A RECALL BE ISSUED TO, AT A MINIMUM, MEASURE THE ACTUAL CRIMP SIZE ON ALL SIX OIL LINE FITTINGS ON THE CAR TO SEE IF ANY ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY CRIMPED. IF THEY ARE NOT, THEN THEY SHOULD BE REPLACED OR RECRIMPED (IF THAT CAN BE DONE PROPERLY). *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS I SUDDENLY SMELLED OIL AND LOOKED DOWN TO SEE MY OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FOUND OIL COMING OUT OF THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR ONTO THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR TIRES. UPON HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOULD THEY FOUND THAT THE INCOMING OIL LINE INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OIL COOLER HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CONNECTOR. *TR

VEHICLE INSPECTION FOUND OIL IS LEAKING AT OIL HOSE CONNECTOR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT CRIMPING OF ADAPTER TO OIL HOSE. EVENTUALLY THIS WILL LEAD TO OIL HOSE DISCONNECTION AND A LOSS OF ENGINE OIL.

FAILURE: BROKEN TOE LINK BOLT. EVENT'S LEADING TO THE FAILURE: NORMAL DRIVING OF THE CAR ON PUBLIC STREETS. CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAILURE: REAR WHEEL WILL MOVE FREELY CAUSING TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT FROM MINOR INJURIES TO BOTH THE CAR'S OCCUPANTS AND INNOCENT DRIVERS AROUND THE CAR TO SEVERE PENALTIES SUCH AS DEATH(S). WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE: PROPER REMOVAL AND CLEANING OF GALVANIZED CLUMPS (MANUFACTURE DEFECT) WHERE THE TOE LINK BOLTS TO THE CHASSIS. MOREOVER, REPLACEMENT OF THE TOE-LINK JOINT, NUTS AND BOLTS, AND ENSURE THEY ARE PROPERLY TORQUED TO MANUFACTURES SPECIFICATION. *TR

2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE OIL LINE RELEASED FROM ITS FITTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT OIL COOLER WETTING THE TIRE WITH OIL RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE CAR SPUN AND LEFT THE ROAD. NO DAMAGE OCCURRED AND THE CAR WAS TOWED FROM THE MEDIAN AND THE LINE WAS REPAIRED. I SELECTED THE YES RESPONSE TO WAS THERE A CRASH BASED ON THE CAR LEAVING THE ROAD. *TR

OIL LINE FAILURE IN LOTUS ELISE - GOT RED "ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LOW" LIGHT, PULLED OVER, CLAMP/HOSE HAD BLOWN OUT AND OIL SPILLED OUT EVERYWHERE. *LN

ON STARTING MY CAR IN THE MORNING, THE PASSENGER SIDE OIL COOLER HOSE FROM THE ENGINE TO THE FRONT OIL COOLER SEPARATED AT THE REAR CRIMP, QUICKLY DRAINING ALL OF THE OIL. THE OIL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND AS I SHUT THE ENGINE OFF THE ENGINE MADE A COUPLE OF RATTLING NOISES. ON ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE HOSE, I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND THE PART IN STOCK, LEADING ME TO HAVE NEW HOSES MADE BY A HYDRAULIC SHOP. THE FAILURE IS AT A MINIMUM RESPONSIBLE FOR A COSTLY REPAIR AND CLEAN UP, THAT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS DUE TO PARTS AVAILABILITY, AND IN A WORST CASE MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO OIL ON THE TIRES, AS WELL AS ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO LOSS OF OIL. MY CAR IS A 2005 ELISE WITH 55,000 MILES. *TR

SAID TO BE A 'COMMON' PROBLEM WHEN LOOKING ON FORUMS;MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON, SO NATURALLY I SEE A GAS STATION AND GO TO PULL IN WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE LOCKS AND SKIDS TO THE RIGHT SIDE . I WAS ONLY DOING LESS THAN 30MPH SO NOTHING BAD HAPPENED . GOT OUT AND MY ENTIRE CRANKCASE OF SYNTHETIC OIL IS ALL UP THE DRIVER SIDE AND COVERING THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE. I WAS HEADED TO THE INTERSTATE AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I FEEL BLESSED THE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE I HIT HIGH RPM'S. THIS WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A LOCKED UP BOTTOM ENGINE ( THOUSANDS IN REPAIR) OR SLIDING ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED LOTUS WITH NO REPLY. THE ONLINE FORUMS HAVE HORROR STORIES OF THE EXACT SAME THIN HAPPENIN AND I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. THE REPAIR IS A HYDRAULIC HOSE THAT COOLS YOUR ENGINE OIL FROM REAR TO FRONT. THE FITTING IS KNOW TO BE BAD AND JUST BREAK AWAY OVER TIME. A VERY COSTLY PROBLEM IF IGNORED. I'M OUT THE REPAIRS , TOWING, TOW DAMAGE TO FRONT CLAM. *TR

2005 LOTUS ELISE OIL-LINE FAILURE. CATASTROPHIC OIL LINE FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE REAR (DRIVEN) WHEEL WAS COATED WITH OIL, CREATING POSSIBLE DEADLY SITUATION. TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY, STILL MIGHT HAVE ENGINE DAMAGE. SEVERAL OF THESE CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED... LESS THAN 10,000 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MADE. *TR

OIL LINE CONNECTION FAILED WHICH LED TO THE OIL HOSE POPPING OUT OF THE CONNECTION AND CAUSING OIL TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE ENGINE ALL OVER THE REAR OF THE CAR AND IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRES. AS THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED OVER THE REAR END BROKE LOOSE DUE TO THE OIL BEING PUMPED OUT. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR DIDN'T SPIN OUT OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN A MORE DANGEROUS LOCATION. COST $400 IN REPAIRS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,200. THE RIGHT REAR OIL LINE AT THE METAL FITTING IS CURRENTLY LEAKING OIL. UPDATED 10/28/11

I BOUGHT MY CAR USED FROM A PRIVATE SELLER IN PENNSYLVANIA. AFTER DOING THE FIRST OIL CHANGE MYSELF I NOTICED THE WAS OIL SEEPING FROM ONE OF THE OIL LINE FITTINGS AT THE SANDWICH PLATE. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG LOTUS' YEARS 2005-2007, AND CAN RESULT IN FAILURE OF THE OIL LINE AT SPEED CAUSING A CRASH OR FIRE. IT HAS ALSO BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE NHTSA IS PERFORMING AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE. *KB

ON AUGUST 11, 2010 I TOOK MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE WITH 9105 MILES ON IT TO GET THE INSPECTION DONE. THE MAN DOING THE INSPECTION WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULDN'T UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTER CONSOLE RELEASE BUTTON. TRIED BOTH WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND OFF. NEITHER WORKED. THE CAR WINDOW WAS DOWN, BUT THE WINDOW IS TOO SMALL TO GET OUT THROUGH. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL PEOPLE TRYING TO HELP, THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THE PLUNGER UP ON THE DOOR AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. I THEN DROVE THE CAR HOME, GOT OUT AND CLOSED THE DOOR. WALKED AROUND TO PASSENGER'S SIDE TO GET BELONGINGS OUT, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T LET ME IN. IT LOCKED AGAIN. WINDOWS WERE UP SO I WAS UNABLE TO USE PLUNGER. ONCE AGAIN, THE KEYFOB WAS WORTHLESS. HAD TO CALL SEVERAL LOCKSMITHS BEFORE FINDING ONE THAT WOULD UNLOCK A LOTUS. HEAT INDEX WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY TO CHILD OR PET!! LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF A RECALL/BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED BUT FOUND NOTHING. I DID FIND A LOTUS FORUM WHERE PEOPLE WERE DISCUSSING THIS SAME ISSUE. MOST WERE RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE CDL (CENTRE DOOR LOCKING MODULE--PART #A116M6048F). I TRIED CALLING LOTUS USA TO DISCUSS THIS, BUT MY CALL WAS NEVER RETURNED. SINCE WE LIVE 3+ HOURS FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, I ORDERED A CDL. MY HUSBAND INSTALLED IT, AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. BEFORE THIS, I HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE LOCKS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD CDL. *TR

2005 LOTUS ELISE OIL-LINE (COOLER LINE) FAILURE. THE OIL LINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS COATED WITH OIL, CREATING POSSIBLE DEADLY SITUATION. I TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. I HOPE THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS AND WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IF THE OIL COOLER LINE HAD FAILED AT NIGHT OR DURING A CURVE ON A HIGHWAY, THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS OR TRAGIC. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS FAILURE. *TR

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS INTERMITTENT AND TURNS ALL ON OR ALL OFF WITHOUT WARNING, MASKING SPEED, FUEL, RPMS, MILEAGE, ETC. (ALL DATA). FROM RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON WWW.ELISETALK.COM, IT APPEARS THIS IS A PROBLEM COMMON TO 2005 LOTUS ELISE AUTOMOBILES. SEVERE POSSIBILITY OF INCIDENT BY NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOUR GOING OR HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE, AND, THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT WITHOUT WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE. *TR

OIL LINE FROM ENGINE TO OIL COOLER FAILED. ALL OIL IN THE ENGINE SPRAYED ONTO BOTTOM OF CAR AND TIRES. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, A LOUD BANG OCCURRED WITH A STRANGE FEELING AT THE REAR OF THE CAR AND THE CAR SPUN 180 DEG. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW THE REAR PASSENGER CAR TIRE TOED OUT AT ABOUT 20 DEG. THE BOLT CONNECTING THE TOE CONTROL LINK TO THE CHASSIS BROKE, CAUSING THE REAR TIRE TO MOVE FROM ITS NORMAL STRAIGHT AHEAD POSITION TO AN ABNORMAL, EXAGGERATED TOE OUT POSITION. THE TOE CONTROL LINK AND SECURING BOLT HAVE NOT YET BEEN REPLACED, BUT WILL BE SHORTLY. *TR

FRONT OIL COOLER HOSE BLEW OFF SPRAYING UNDERSIDE OF CAR WITH OIL. PULLED VEHICLE OVER AND TOWED TO DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE FIX. *TR

THIS IS A COMPLAINT FOR A 2005 LOTUS ELISE OIL LINE FAILURE. I PREVIOUSLY REPORTED TWO OIL LINE FAILURES TOGETHER BUT IN RETROSPECT SHOULD HAVE REPORTED THEM INDIVIDUALLY AS THEY OCCURRED AT SEPARATE TIMES. THE FIRST OIL LINE FAILURE OCCURRED ON 3/29/2010. I CAME OUT TO MY CAR IN THE PARKING LOT AND THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER IT. I DID NOT EVER SEE A DROP OF OIL FROM THE CAR PREVIOUSLY. I PAID 1,066 TO GET THE DRIVER SIDE OIL LINE REPAIRED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OIL LINE SHOULD BE FIXED BUT I WAS NOT TOLD THAT IF IT FAILED WHILE DRIVING THAT I COULD POTENTIALLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR. THE PASSENGER SIDE OIL LINE DID INDEED FAIL 4 MONTHS LATER BUT THIS TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY GOING 55 MPH. THE ENTIRE OIL CAPACITY OF THE ENGINE SPRAYED ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AND REAR TIRES AS WELL AS THE WINDSHIELD. NOT ONLY WAS IT LIKE DRIVING ON A SHEET OF ICE, I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ONE IN THE LANE NEXT TO ME AS I SLID INTO IT. I WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR AND PULL OVER. BY THE TIME I PULLED OVER THE ENGINE WAS RUINED REQUIRING ME TO PAY APPROXIMATELY 8,000 FOR A NEW ENGINE AND NEW OIL LINES. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR SHOWING THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR COVERED IN OIL. UPDATED 08-29/11 *BF *KB UPDATED 05/03/12

I HAVE A 2005 LOTUS ELISE WITH 18000. MILE ON IT AND MY BLOWER IS NOT WORKING AND WHEN I TURN IT ON IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR

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. *TR

2005 LOTUS ELISE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR OF VEHICLES OIL COOLER LINE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE EXACT PROBLEM HE EXPERIENCED. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THE FAILURE TOOK PLACE OUTSIDE OF THE DATE RANGE AS SET FOR IN THE REIMBURSEMENT PLAN. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION OF HOW THE DATE RANGE WAS SET. HE STATED THE RECALL EXPLAINED THE DEFECT WAS ON LOTUS VEHICLE MANUFACTURED FROM 2004-2006. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PURCHASED HIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2006. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SIX MONTHS OUT WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER 2009. THE CONSUMER STATED FOR SOME REASON, THE REIMBURSEMENT WINDOW BEGAN OCTOBER 5, 2010.

DAMAGED/SCORED INTAKE CAM ON TOYOTA 2ZZGE ENGINE,RESULTING IN PISTON DAMAGE AS WELL AS HEAD/BLOCK DAMAGE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF CARS EQUIPPED WITH THIS ENGINE. THE SYMPTOMS ARE CODES 1301 AND 1302 FROM ECU, FOR 2005+ LOTUS ELISE AND LOTUS EXIGES. HTTP://WWW.LOTUSTALK.COM/FORUMS/F25/CODE-1302-1301-YEARS-MILES-49570/. *TR

PREMATURE WEARING ON CAM SHAFT IN ENGINE RESULTING IN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHERE THE ENTIRE CLUSTER GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, RPM, GAS GAUGE, ETC.) WILL SHUT DOWN AND LATER TURN BACK ON. THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WILL BECOME WORSE AND THE CLUSTER GAUGE WILL SHUT DOWN FOR LONGER PERIODS AT A TIME. THERE IS NO KNOWN CAUSE OF THIS. THE ONLY KNOW FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE CLUSTER GAUGE. *TR

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. LOTUS PUT OUT A BULLETIN THAT HOLES NEEDED TO BE DRILLED IN THE CHASSIS TO PREVENT THIS, ALTHOUGH THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THIS DONE BUT DID NOT HELP THE SITUATION. WITH THEM KNOWING THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE!! MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 10,500 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

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. *TR

TL*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.

TL*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.

2005 LOTUS ELISE HAS A DEFECTIVE INTAKE CAM THAT USUALLY FLATTENS OUT OVER CYLINDER 3 CAUSING VALVE ENGINE DAMAGE. MY CAR HAS 7,000 MILES. *TR

ROCKER ARM BROKEN ON CYLINDER THREE. MULTIPLE CARS (~20) HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED THE SAME FAILURE ON THE SAME CYLINDER. SOLD CAR IN QUESTION AS MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX DESPITE THE FACT THE REASONS FOR DENIAL WERE NOT THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $4600-6500. SAID BASES OF DENIAL CHANGED TO SUIT MANUFACTURER'S STANCE OF NOT WARRANTING THE REPAIR WHEN INFORMATION TO THE CONTRARY WAS PROVIDED. MANUFACTURER HAS WARRANTED SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN THE PAST BASED ON DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER OWNERS. STILL HAVE PORTION OF ROCKER ARM THAT WAS REMOVED. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO THOSE OF AFOREMENTIONED OWNERS, WHICH SUGGESTS A TREND OF EITHER DEFECTIVE PARTS, DESIGN FLAWS, FAILURE TO ENGINEER A PROPER SAFETY MARGIN FOR THE ENGINE APPLICATION, OR A COMBINATION OF ANY OF THESE. FURTHER STUDIES BY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME FAILURE REVEALED A MISALIGNED OIL JET ON THE NUMBER-THREE CYLINDER INTAKE SIDE, WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. *TR

MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE EXPERIENCED A COOLANT LEAK IN THE P/N A12E0017F ALUMINUM U-TUBE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUBBING ON A OIL FITTING THAT THE TUBE WAS RESTING ON. DUE TO THE ENGINE VIBRATION AND SHAKING, THE U-TUBE WORE THROUGH THE TUBE WALL COMPLETELY ALLOWING COOLANT TO LEAK OUT. THE U-TUBE IS LOCATED ON THE FRONT SIDE OF THE ENGINE AND RUBS ON A OIL LINE FITTING. BASED ON AN ONLINE FORUM (LOTUSTALK) AND OTHER LOTUS ELISE/EXIGE OWNERS, THE U-TUBE RUBBING IS NOT AN ISOLATED. APPARENTLY, SOME ELISES/EXIGES HAVE THE U-TUBE ZIP-TIED TO THE OIL LINE FITTING, BUT THE RUBBING IS STILL APPARENT AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A COOLANT LEAK WILL OCCUR. MY ELISE WAS NOT ZIP-TIED, WHICH NO DOUBT ACCELERATED THE WEARING AND RESULTING LEAK. I DECIDED TO MAKE A REPORT SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE LOTUS OWNERS ARE STILL IDENTIFYING THE RUBBING AND APPLY DO-IT-YOURSELF FIXES. I REPAIRED MINE AT MY OWN EXPENSE AND STARTED A THREAD ON LOTUSTALK TO HELP OTHER OWNERS PROTECT THEIR CARS FROM EVER LEAKING LIKE MINES. *TR

MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPPED UNEXPECTEDLY OUT OF 5TH GEAR DURING HARD DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO SELECT WRONG GEAR IN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE PLACING OF THE TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR BY MISTAKE LED TO CATASTROPHIC OVER-REVVING OF THE ENGINE WITH ENGINE FAILURE (TOTAL LOSS). DEALER HAD BEEN ADVISED REGARDING THE POPPING OUT OF GEAR PRIOR TO THE FATAL EVENT AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE AND IN SPITE OF DEALER ASSESSMENT THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. THE PROBLEM NOW HAS WORSENED TO GRINDING OF THE GEARS ON SIMPLE DRIVING. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS ADVISED DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ADVISED, BUT REPORTS TO ME THAT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEIR ENGINEERS CANNOT CONCEIVABLE THINK OF A WAY THE GEARBOX /TRANSMISSION CAN "POP" OUT OF GEAR IF PROPERLY PLACED INTO THE GEAR. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OBSERVED BY TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OCCUR WITH THEIR USE OF THE VEHICLE. I AS THE OWNER HAVE PURCHASED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAS REPORTED NO INTEREST IN SEEING THE DEFECTIVE PART, NOR ANY WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN FIXING THE ISSUE. ISSUES REMAIN: MANUFACTURER UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINT AS WELL AS RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD EXIST. SAFETY CONCERN REMAINS FOR THOSE NOT EXPECTING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR AS IN MY CASE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. *JB

1) AT FIRST 1ST TO 2ND UP SHIFT AND 3RD TO 2ND DOWN SHIFT WAS GRINDING AT ABOUT 5000 RPM. SHIFTING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 3RD TO 2ND. NOW 3RD TO 2ND DOWN SHIFTING GRINDS AT EVERY RPM AND 1ST TO 2ND SHIFT IS VERY DIFFICULT. DIAGNOSED BY MECHNANIC AS SYNHRO FAILURE. 2) 2ND GEAR SYNCHRO FAILURE. CAN'T UPSHIFT WELL AND DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GRINDS GEAR AND DESTROYS GEAR. UNSAFE WHEN YOU CAN'T GET INTO GEAR. 3) LOTUS USA AND THE DEALERSHIP AUTOSTRADA USA HAVE DENIED WARRANTY CLAIM. THEY WON'T FIX THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *JB

SUB: 2005 LOTUS ELISE NHTSA RECALL #05V-571 [XXX]. I LIVE IN NICHOLASVILLE KENTUCKY & DEALER IS IN ATLANTA GA. DRIVING THERE WOULD BE 12 HRS ON THE ROAD + $$ FOR ACCOMMODATIONS & TRAVEL EXPENSES, CAR MILEAGE & DEPRECIATION. FAILURE & I WOULD BE STRANDED & WITH MORE EXPENSE. I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER, REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER & FORMER AUTO MECHANIC, I HAVE WORKED IN THE AREA OF AUTO SAFETY > 40 YEARS. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HAZARDS OF FAILURE I SUGGESTED TO DEALER SERVICE MGR & LOTUS WARRANTY MGR, THAT I HAVE THE ABILITY & TOOLS TO INSTALL THE PARTS IF SUPPLIED THEM & WOULD PURCHASE PARTS & INSTALL THEM. I CURRENTLY OWN & MAINTAIN ANOTHER LOTUS CAR AND HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE PAST. I MAINTAIN 9 AUTOS OF VARIOUS MAKES AND VINTAGES, MY AUTOMOTIVE SHOP IS VERY COMPLETE INCLUDING A 4 POST COMMERCIAL LIFT. FAILURE OF THE LEVER IS WELL KNOWN AND IS DOCUMENTED ON VARIOUS LOTUS ORIENTED WEB SITES, INCLUDING THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE OLD LEVER WITH NEW PRODUCTION PARTS OR NON-OEM KITS. AFTER-MARKET SHIFT LEVERS ARE AVAILABLE AS REPLACEMENT BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT COLLECTIBLE AUTOMOBILES DECREASE IN VALUE WHEN NON-OEM PARTS ARE USED TO MODIFY THEM, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO USE OEM COMPONENTS BY MFGS ALTERNATIVE TO DRIVING TO DEALER REFUSED. NO ALTERNATIVE SUCH AS FLAT-BEDDING WAS OFFERED TO AVOID THE HAZARDS. & TO AVOID THE SUBSTANTIAL COST AND TIME TO REPAIR DANGEROUS DEFECT I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AT ALL BECAUSE I CANT OBTAIN THE PARTS FOR REPAIR. I WOULD BE SATISFIED IF THE PARTS WERE SUPPLIED TO ME AND I INSTALLED THEM MYSELF. I CERTAINLY COULD DOCUMENT THE CHANGE-OUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHS & RETURN THE OLD PARTS AT MY EXPENSE. A LESS DESIRABLE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE FLAT-BEDDING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL TIME & EXPENSE INVOLVED AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE DURING TRAVEL PLEASE HELP ME GET BACK THE SAFE USE OF MY CAR, SOONEST REPLY APPRECIATED. *NM *JS

FAILURE OF OIL LINE CONNECTOR. SPREAD OIL OVER FRONT BRAKE, SO AS TO MAKE CAR STOP POORLY. HAS HAPPENED TWICE: ONCE WHEN CAR WAS 1 MONTH OLD, NOW 6 YRS LATER. *TT

WIRING ON AUTO HAS BEEN A MESS SINCE NEW, AUTO TOWED 15 TIMES FOR MECHANICAL REASONS AND ADDITION TIMES TOW TRUCK WAS COMING AND CAR WOULD START. SHIFTER BROKE OFF AT 2,000 MILES, TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES ALARM SYSTEM, ALTERNATOR,SPEAKERS,TURN INDICATORS, FRONT STEERING BOX (RACK), VEHICLE COMPUTER (SPEED INDICATED ON DASH HAS BEEN AT LEST 15% HIGH SINCE TRANSAXLE WAS REPLACED)-- HAVE ALL FAILED. LOTUS DEALERSHIPS WHERE NEVER ABLE TO LOCATE OR FIX WIRING PROBLEM (FOX VALLEY, AURORA IL ANOTHER LAKE FOREST HAS NO AUTHORIZED LOTUS MECHANIC.) LOTUS USA INC. COVERED MOST UNTIL WARRANTY EXPIRED ,NOW WILL NOT RETURN PHONE CALLS OR E-MAILS (OVER 15 SENT IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF.). AUTO NOW HAS 26,666 MILES AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE AUGUST OF 2010. IT WILL NOT PAST WISCONSIN EMISSIONS SO I AM UNABLE TO GET LICENSE PLATES ALSO IT WILL CHANGE LANES OFF A STRAIGHT LINE WITHOUT WARNING. AUTO WAS NEVER ON A TRACK AND ALWAYS STORED IN A HEAT AND RODENT CONTROLLED AREA. A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC THAT WORKED ON AUTO STATED "THE WIRING HARNESS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN PULLED AND INSTALLED THROUGH OUT THE AUTO WITH OUT REGARD TO SHARP EDGES OR CARE IN ANYWAY", HE FOUND NO RODENT DAMAGE.