Lotus Elise Problems by Year
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file for the Lotus Elise, across 7 model years (2005–2011). The 2005 model year has the most complaints (46). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.
Lotus Elise years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Elise year: 2005, 2006. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2005 Elise: 46 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2006 Elise: 17 complaints, 1 recall
- 2007 Elise: 8 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Lotus Elise problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 43 | 3 | 1 |
| Engine | 8 | 3 | 0 |
| Power Train | 7 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Lotus Elise model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Elise | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2010 Elise | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2009 Elise | 1 | 2 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | |
| 2008 Elise | 0 | 2 | — | — | |
| 2007 Elise | 8 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 2006 Elise | 17 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2005 Elise | 46 | 2 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Lotus: all Lotus models · VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Lotus Elise years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2005 (46), 2006 (17) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Elise year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Lotus Elise?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 43 complaints across 3 model years.
How many recalls does the Lotus Elise have?
6 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.