2005 Lotus Elise Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2005 Lotus Elise, and owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2005 Lotus Elise
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Engine and engine cooling and hoses/lines/piping/fittings (engine and engine cooling)
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.
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.
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Manual transmission (power train)
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions, the gear lever may break.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the gear levers. The recall began on february 10, 2006. Owners may contact lotus cars USA at 1-800-245-6887.
46 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2005 Lotus Elise have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 31,679 miles. Complaints peaked in 2011 with 17 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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 t”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, May 20, 2014 · Engine and engine cooling
“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 c”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 26, 2013 · Engine and engine cooling
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2005 Lotus Elise/exige. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 20 / 25 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Two Seaters |
| Engine | 4 cyl, 1.8 L |
| Transmission | Manual 6-spd |
Compare Lotus Elise model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Lotus Elise model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 Lotus Elise | 2 | 46 |
| 2006 Lotus Elise | 1 | 17 |
| 2007 Lotus Elise | 2 | 8 |
| 2008 Lotus Elise | 2 | 0 |
| 2009 Lotus Elise | 2 | 1 |
| 2010 Lotus Elise | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 Lotus Elise | 2 | 0 |
Checking a specific 2005 Lotus Elise
How do I know if my 2005 Lotus Elise has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2005 Lotus Elise; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Lotus dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 05V571000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Lotus models
- Evora16 complaints
- Elan14 complaints
- Exige S8 complaints
- Esprit3 complaints
- Exize2 complaints
- Emira1 complaints
- Exige1 complaints
- Eclat0 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.