CarRecallWatchThe 2007 Lotus Elise has 2 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA.
The most-reported problem area is Engine And Engine Cooling (4 reports).
2Recalls
8Owner complaints
0Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Elise?
2007 Lotus Elise recalls
Most common 2007 Lotus Elise problems
Problem areas named in the 8 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 1 |
What owners report
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 BALL JOINT STRUCTURE AT THE PIVOT POINT ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SHIFTER IS THE MAIN REASON TO THIS FAILURE. ALMOST EVERY CASE THAT HAS SURFACED ON INTERNET HAS SHOWN THE IDENTICAL BROKEN STRUCTURE WHICH WE CALLED THE "BLUE BALL". IT IS MADE WITH PLASTIC AND IS COMMONLY SHATTERED IN PIECES, AND THAT HAPPENS, THE ENTIRE SHIFTER IS LOOSE AND BROKEN.
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 DIRTY BROWN SMOKE. I WAS MY CAR. (I LATER REALIZED THE CLOUD WAS A SPRAY OF OIL MIST.) I WAS GOING 65 OR 70 MPH AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING UNUSUAL WITH THE DRIVABILITY. I LOOKED AT MY INSTRUMENT PANEL & NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON. I SHOT OVER TO THE EXIT AND TO THE OFF-RAMP. THE CAR SEEMED TO BE STRAINING ON THE OFF RAMP AND ON THE VERGE OF STALLING BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I COULDN'T STOP ON 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 NOTICED THE OIL LIGHT LIT ON THE DASH. AT THE SAME INSTANT I LOOKED OUT OF THE SIDE MIRROR AND SAW SMOKE POURING FROM MY CAR. (THIS HAPPENED VERY QUICKLY AND I MAY HAVE NOTICED THE REAR SMOKE BEFORE THE OIL LIGHT.) I QUICKLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, DRIFTED THROUGH 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE NEXT EXIT WHICH WAS WITHIN 1000 OR SO FEET. I DRIFTED OFF THE EXIT ONTO THE MAIN STREET AND INTO THE GAS STATION O
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 PANEL WARNING LIGHTS WHICH STOPPED BUT RESUMED AND WAS LOW OIL LIGHT WHICH WENT OUT AND THEN CAME ON FULL. STOPPED IMMEDIATELY AND TURNED OFF ENGINE. CAR WAS TOWED BY FLAT BED BACK TO LOTUS DEALER IN NJ. *TR
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 OIL WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND NOTICED SOME DIFFICULTY STEERING DUE TO SLICKNESS AS CAR WAS BROUGHT TO A SAFE HALT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. RIGHT SIDE OF CAR WAS COVERED IN OIL, APPARENTLY ORIGINATING AT OIL COOLER LOCATED IN FRONT OF RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOTUS DEALER AND OIL LINE WAS REPORTED TO HAVE BURST. AFTER FIXING, WAS TOLD THERE WAS SOUND OF CYLINDER DAMAGE IN ENGINE
2007 Lotus Elise questions
Does the 2007 Lotus Elise have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2007 Lotus Elise: Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings; Engine And Engine Cooling; Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lotus Elise?
Based on 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (4), Engine (3), Fuel/Propulsion System (2).
How do I check if a recall on my 2007 Lotus Elise has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.