RecallMyCar

2009 Lotus Elise Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2009 Lotus Elise, and owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
1
owner complaint to NHTSA
22–23
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2009 Lotus Elise

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Engine (engine and engine cooling)

    NHTSA 14V280000 Reported 860 vehicles potentially affected Lotus Cars USA, Inc.

    Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from November 2007 to July 2011, and 2011 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The oil cooler hose may detach from its fitting.

    Remedy: Lotus will notify owners, and dealers will replace the oil cooler hose fittings on the Elise and Exige vehicles and will replace the oil cooler hose assemblies on the Evora vehicles, free of charge. The manufacturer…

  2. Hub (wheels)

    NHTSA 09V179000 Reported 87 vehicles potentially affected LOTUS CARS USA, INC.

    Lotus is recalling 87 model year 2009 elise and exige vehicles manufactured from june 20, 2008 through may 5, 2009. The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles may be under-torqued and may become loose. If that occurs, an insecure hub could lead to degradation in vehicle handling, and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle.

    Remedy: Lotus will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during june 2009. Owners may contact lotus toll-free at 1-800-245-6887.

1 owner complaint filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2009 Lotus Elise have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 20,200 miles. Complaints peaked in 2012 with 1 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Momentary brake failure yesterday. This happened to my wife. She's commuted with the car to work 3 times a week, 90 miles round trip for 7+ months, logging many thousands of miles, and much more than”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 17, 2012 · Service brakes, hydraulic

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2009 Lotus Elise/Exige. Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined22–23 mpg
City / Highway20–21 / 26–27
FuelPremium
EPA classTwo Seaters
Engine4 cyl, 1.8 L
TransmissionManual 6-spd

Compare Lotus Elise model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Lotus Elise model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2005 Lotus Elise246
2006 Lotus Elise117
2007 Lotus Elise28
2008 Lotus Elise20
2009 Lotus Elise21
2010 Lotus Elise10
2011 Lotus Elise20

Checking a specific 2009 Lotus Elise

How do I know if my 2009 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 2009 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 09V179000).

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

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.