U.S. public vehicle records

2007 Lotus ELISE problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

31,500 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2007 model year. Data updated: 2026-10-01 (October 1, 2026). 8 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 8 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Engine operation	1	12.5%
Braking behavior	1	12.5%
Steering behavior	1	12.5%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine

Engine And Engine Cooling

Fuel/Propulsion System

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine

Power Train

Engine: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Power Train: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2010

2011

2012

2018

2010: 1; 2011: 2; 2012: 4; 2018: 1

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10482729 · 2012-10-31 (October 31, 2012)

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482729 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10482713 · 2012-10-31 (October 31, 2012)

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, DRIFTE…

Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482713 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10455149 · 2012-04-07 (April 7, 2012)

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 WH…

Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10455149 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

8 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

100.0%Usable mileage8 / 8 records

100.0%Valid incident date8 / 8 records

100.0%Valid filing date8 / 8 records

100.0%Ordered incident and filing dates8 / 8 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011
Engine And Engine Cooling	1839.1% ODI 10292136 · 35,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10292136 at NHTSA ↗	741.2% ODI 10363130 · 40,400 mi WAS TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN I NOTICED OIL LIGHT CAME ON. DROVE CAR TO NEARBY SERVICE STATION AND NOTICED REAR PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COVERED IN OIL AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDER CAR. HAD CAR TOWED TO DEALER WHERE THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED OIL COOLER LINE. SEVERAL SOURCES (WEB FORUM, MECHANIC) HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THESE CARS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS FAILURE COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF TRACTION, OR ENGINE FIRE UNDER THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES. Look up ODI 10363130 at NHTSA ↗	337.5% ODI 10405272 · 29,000 mi DRIVING IN SECOND GEAR AND CHANGING INTO THIRD GEAR THE RADIATOR EXPLODED AND SPLASHED HOT COOLANT ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE ROOF ON, OTHERWISE THE HOT COOLANT COULD HAVE LANDED ON ME OR MY 8 YR. OLD SON. LOTUS USES A TERRIBLY DESIGNED RADIATOR THAT HAS PLASTIC EDGES, WHICH BECOME BRITTLE AND EXPLODE OVER TIME. THIS IS A COMMON DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON WWW.LOTUSTALK.COM. WHY THEY DO NOT USE AN ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR, IS BEYOND ME. Look up ODI 10405272 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine	36.5% ODI 10464247 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 EXPERIENC… Look up ODI 10464247 at NHTSA ↗	211.8% ODI 10458335 · 11,300 mi TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 11V510000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY HAD NO TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN THE NECESSARY PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,300. Look up ODI 10458335 at NHTSA ↗	337.5% ODI 10458242 · 35,167 mi 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 Look up ODI 10458242 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	510.9% ODI 10236940 · 7,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10236940 at NHTSA ↗	211.8% ODI 10280590 · 8,700 mi BADLY WORN SECOND CAM CAUSING MISFIRE. *TR Look up ODI 10280590 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 10362535 · 14,500 mi 1. NOTHING WAS OBVIOUS LEADING YOU TO THE EVENT. 2. FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE, BUT CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. 3. ENGINE WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY. *TR Look up ODI 10362535 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System	510.9% ODI 10280908 · 24,000 mi PREMATURE WEARING ON CAM SHAFT IN ENGINE RESULTING IN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR Look up ODI 10280908 at NHTSA ↗	211.8% ODI 10402119 · 38,827 mi THE HOSE CONNECTING THE TWO OIL COOLERS IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR FAILED ON THE FREEWAY. I FELT THE CAR DANGEROUSLY LOSING TRACTION ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER AND I ALSO SAW THE OIL LIGHT COMING ON, AND PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY. I HAD TO REPLACE THE HOSE, IT COST ME $775. TWO WEEKS FROM THAT, THE HOSE FITTING FAILED AGAIN, MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW, WHO KNOWS HOW MUCH THE DAMAGE IS NOW. *TR Look up ODI 10402119 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Electrical System	48.7% ODI 10283477 · 60,000 mi 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 Look up ODI 10283477 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Power Train	24.3% ODI 10406588 · 52,524 mi 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. Look up ODI 10406588 at NHTSA ↗	15.9% ODI 10441035 AS I WAS PULLING ONTO MY STREET, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PLACE TO STOP AND PARK THE CAR, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE SMELL OF OIL IN THE CABIN. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED OIL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE & WHEEL, AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE FRONT HALF OF THE CAR. MY ONLINE SEARCH FOR A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT HAS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I EXPERIENCED A FAILURE OF THE OIL COOLER LINES. *TR Look up ODI 10441035 at NHTSA ↗	112.5% ODI 11109941 · 3 mi 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 … Look up ODI 11109941 at NHTSA ↗	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	24.3% ODI 10408117 · 67,292 mi 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 TH… Look up ODI 10408117 at NHTSA ↗	211.8% ODI 10381380 · 58,900 mi ON MY 2006 LOTUS ELISE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WASN'T IN A POSITION TO PULL OVER FOR A FEW MORE MILES DOWN THE ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOCKED UP AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OIL WAS IN THE TIRES AND ALL OVER THE BACK OF THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE OIL HOSE CAME LOSE, CAUSING THE OIL TO SPEW OUT OF THE CAR. THE CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, AND I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS ISSUE AFTER BRINGING MY CAR TO LOTUS OF S.F. MULTIPLE TIMES TO RECEIVE OTHER … Look up ODI 10381380 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.
Suspension:Rear	24.3% ODI 10336245 · 31,983 mi 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 Look up ODI 10336245 at NHTSA ↗	15.9% ODI 10192737 · 15,000 mi I WAS TURNING LEFT OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ACCELERATING IN A SAFE BUT ENTHUSIASTIC MANNER WHEN I FELT A VIOLENT SHUDDER/VIBRATION AT AROUND 30-35 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND FELT INCREASED DRAG AS IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION AND FOUND THE MY DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS PUSHED UP INTO THE FENDER AND THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE HEADS HAD POPPED OF THE BOLTS THAT HOLD THE UPPER CONTROL ARM TO THE WHEEL HUB. I POSTED THIS INFO ON A CAR FORUM AND FOUND THAT MY CAR IS NOT… Look up ODI 10192737 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.	0Unavailable No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Engine	Too few reports for a range	55,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10458242 · 35,167 mi 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 Look up ODI 10458242 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482713 · 89,000 mi 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, DRIFTE… Look up ODI 10482713 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482729 · 55,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10482729 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling	Too few reports for a range	29,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10405272 · 29,000 mi DRIVING IN SECOND GEAR AND CHANGING INTO THIRD GEAR THE RADIATOR EXPLODED AND SPLASHED HOT COOLANT ALL OVER THE WINDSHIELD. FORTUNATELY I HAD THE ROOF ON, OTHERWISE THE HOT COOLANT COULD HAVE LANDED ON ME OR MY 8 YR. OLD SON. LOTUS USES A TERRIBLY DESIGNED RADIATOR THAT HAS PLASTIC EDGES, WHICH BECOME BRITTLE AND EXPLODE OVER TIME. THIS IS A COMMON DOCUMENTED ISSUE ON WWW.LOTUSTALK.COM. WHY THEY DO NOT USE AN ALL ALUMINUM RADIATOR, IS BEYOND ME. Look up ODI 10405272 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10420414 · 20,000 mi WAS DRIVING MY 2007 LOTUS ELISE WHEN THE OIL HOSE PULLED OUT OF THE CRIMPED FITTING AT THE RIGHT REAR CONNECTION TO THE ENGINE JUST ABOVE THE OIL FILTER. THIS CAUSED ALL OF THE OIL TO QUICKLY LEAVE THE ENGINE AND COAT THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I WAS LUCKY I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT ON A HIGHWAY AT THE TIME AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OVER. HAD THIS HAPPENED ON A CORNER, WITH TRACTION LOST ON THE REAR TIRE THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT. Look up ODI 10420414 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10455149 · 34,000 mi 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 WH… Look up ODI 10455149 at NHTSA ↗
Fuel/Propulsion System	Too few reports for a range	72,000 mi	2 (sparse)	ODI 10482713 · 89,000 mi 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, DRIFTE… Look up ODI 10482713 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482729 · 55,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10482729 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Too few reports for a range	14,500 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10362535 · 14,500 mi 1. NOTHING WAS OBVIOUS LEADING YOU TO THE EVENT. 2. FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE, BUT CAUSED ENGINE FAILURE. 3. ENGINE WAS REPLACED ENTIRELY. *TR Look up ODI 10362535 at NHTSA ↗
Power Train	Too few reports for a range	3 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 11109941 · 3 mi 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 … Look up ODI 11109941 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-10 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2010: 0 complaints · 2011: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2010	0	0	0
2011	0	0	0

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2010	0	0	0
2011	0	0	0

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Engine	Engine And Engine Cooling	Fuel/Propulsion System	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	Power Train
Engine	—	0	2 ODI 10482713 · 89,000 mi 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, DRIFTE… Look up ODI 10482713 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482729 · 55,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10482729 at NHTSA ↗	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling	0	—	0	0	0
Fuel/Propulsion System	2 ODI 10482713 · 89,000 mi 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, DRIFTE… Look up ODI 10482713 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10482729 · 55,000 mi 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 … Look up ODI 10482729 at NHTSA ↗	0	—	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine	0	0	0	—	0
Power Train	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

3 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 25.0% of complaints

Median mileage: 34,584 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10455149 · 34,000 mi

Look up ODI 10455149 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10458242 · 35,167 mi

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

Look up ODI 10458242 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Oil consumption or dilution

1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 89,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10482713 · 89,000 mi

Look up ODI 10482713 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(oil consumption|burn\w* oil|consum\w* oil|oil dilution|gas(?:oline)? in (?:the )?oil)\b

Stalling or loss of power

1 mentions · 12.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 55,000 mi (1 usable records).

ODI 10482729 · 55,000 mi

Look up ODI 10482729 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b