What 46 owners told NHTSA about the 2005 Lotus Elise

SAID TO BE A 'COMMON' PROBLEM WHEN LOOKING ON FORUMS;MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE OIL LIGHT COMES ON, SO NATURALLY I SEE A GAS STATION AND GO TO PULL IN WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE LOCKS AND SKIDS TO THE RIGHT SIDE . I WAS ONLY DOING LESS THAN 30MPH SO NOTHING BAD HAPPENED . GOT OUT AND MY ENTIRE CRANKCASE OF SYNTHETIC OIL IS ALL UP THE DRIVER SIDE AND COVERING THE FRONT DRIVER TIRE. I WAS HEADED TO THE INTERSTATE AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS. I FEEL BLESSED THE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE I HIT HIGH RPM'S. THIS WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A LOCKED UP BOTTOM ENGINE ( THOUSANDS IN REPAIR) OR SLIDING ON THE INTERSTATE CAUSING ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED LOTUS WITH NO REPLY. THE ONLINE FORUMS HAVE HORROR STORIES OF THE EXACT SAME THIN HAPPENIN AND I FIND THIS UNACCEPTABLE. THE REPAIR IS A HYDRAULIC HOSE THAT COOLS YOUR ENGINE OIL FROM REAR TO FRONT. THE FITTING IS KNOW TO BE BAD AND JUST BREAK AWAY OVER TIME. A VERY COSTLY PROBLEM IF IGNORED. I'M OUT THE REPAIRS , TOWING, TOW DAMAGE TO FRONT CLAM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10371195

2005 LOTUS ELISE OIL-LINE (COOLER LINE) FAILURE. THE OIL LINE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS COATED WITH OIL, CREATING POSSIBLE DEADLY SITUATION. I TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY. I HOPE THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS AND WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN A STRAIGHT LINE. IF THE OIL COOLER LINE HAD FAILED AT NIGHT OR DURING A CURVE ON A HIGHWAY, THE INCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS OR TRAGIC. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10365604

OIL LINE CONNECTION FAILED WHICH LED TO THE OIL HOSE POPPING OUT OF THE CONNECTION AND CAUSING OIL TO BE PUMPED OUT OF THE ENGINE ALL OVER THE REAR OF THE CAR AND IN FRONT OF THE REAR TIRES. AS THE CAR WAS BEING PULLED OVER THE REAR END BROKE LOOSE DUE TO THE OIL BEING PUMPED OUT. I WAS LUCKY THE CAR DIDN'T SPIN OUT OR IT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN A MORE DANGEROUS LOCATION. COST $400 IN REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10365025

2005 LOTUS ELISE OIL-LINE FAILURE. CATASTROPHIC OIL LINE FAILURE WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. PASSENGER SIDE REAR (DRIVEN) WHEEL WAS COATED WITH OIL, CREATING POSSIBLE DEADLY SITUATION. TURNED CAR OFF IMMEDIATELY, STILL MIGHT HAVE ENGINE DAMAGE. SEVERAL OF THESE CASES HAVE BEEN REPORTED... LESS THAN 10,000 OF THESE VEHICLES WERE MADE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10363808

OIL LINE FROM ENGINE TO OIL COOLER FAILED. ALL OIL IN THE ENGINE SPRAYED ONTO BOTTOM OF CAR AND TIRES. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR ON HIGHWAY. ENGINE SUBSEQUENTLY OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10362546

ON AUGUST 11, 2010 I TOOK MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE WITH 9105 MILES ON IT TO GET THE INSPECTION DONE. THE MAN DOING THE INSPECTION WAS LOCKED IN THE CAR. THE CAR WOULDN'T UNLOCK USING THE KEY FOB OR THE CENTER CONSOLE RELEASE BUTTON. TRIED BOTH WITH THE CAR RUNNING AND OFF. NEITHER WORKED. THE CAR WINDOW WAS DOWN, BUT THE WINDOW IS TOO SMALL TO GET OUT THROUGH. FINALLY, AFTER SEVERAL PEOPLE TRYING TO HELP, THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THE PLUNGER UP ON THE DOOR AND HE WAS ABLE TO GET OUT. I THEN DROVE THE CAR HOME, GOT OUT AND CLOSED THE DOOR. WALKED AROUND TO PASSENGER'S SIDE TO GET BELONGINGS OUT, AND THE CAR WOULDN'T LET ME IN. IT LOCKED AGAIN. WINDOWS WERE UP SO I WAS UNABLE TO USE PLUNGER. ONCE AGAIN, THE KEYFOB WAS WORTHLESS. HAD TO CALL SEVERAL LOCKSMITHS BEFORE FINDING ONE THAT WOULD UNLOCK A LOTUS. HEAT INDEX WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. COULD HAVE BEEN DEADLY TO CHILD OR PET!! LOOKED ONLINE TO SEE IF A RECALL/BULLETIN HAD BEEN ISSUED BUT FOUND NOTHING. I DID FIND A LOTUS FORUM WHERE PEOPLE WERE DISCUSSING THIS SAME ISSUE. MOST WERE RESOLVED BY REPLACING THE CDL (CENTRE DOOR LOCKING MODULE--PART #A116M6048F). I TRIED CALLING LOTUS USA TO DISCUSS THIS, BUT MY CALL WAS NEVER RETURNED. SINCE WE LIVE 3+ HOURS FROM THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, I ORDERED A CDL. MY HUSBAND INSTALLED IT, AND NOW THE PROBLEM IS RESOLVED. BEFORE THIS, I HAD NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE LOCKS. I STILL HAVE THE OLD CDL. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10350250

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IS INTERMITTENT AND TURNS ALL ON OR ALL OFF WITHOUT WARNING, MASKING SPEED, FUEL, RPMS, MILEAGE, ETC. (ALL DATA). FROM RESEARCHING THE ISSUE ON WWW.ELISETALK.COM, IT APPEARS THIS IS A PROBLEM COMMON TO 2005 LOTUS ELISE AUTOMOBILES. SEVERE POSSIBILITY OF INCIDENT BY NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOUR GOING OR HOW MUCH FUEL YOU HAVE, AND, THIS PROBLEM CAN HAPPEN AT ANY MOMENT WITHOUT WARNING OR APPARENT CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10345060

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

NHTSA ODI 10336245

I OWN A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING A RAIN STORM THE FRONT DEFROSTER WOULD NOT OPERATE, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY REDUCED MY VISIBILITY AS A CONSEQUENCE, AS I WAS GETTING READY TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE AND SIT, I RAN INTO FLOOD WATER AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE PROPERLY. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REASON THIS HAPPENED WAS THE FAN MOTOR PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST ME 1900 DOLLARS. LOTUS PUT OUT A BULLETIN THAT HOLES NEEDED TO BE DRILLED IN THE CHASSIS TO PREVENT THIS, ALTHOUGH THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THIS DONE BUT DID NOT HELP THE SITUATION. WITH THEM KNOWING THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE LIABLE TO FIX THIS ISSUE!! MY VEHICLE ONLY HAD 10,500 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10328853

I HAVE A 2005 LOTUS ELISE WITH 18000. MILE ON IT AND MY BLOWER IS NOT WORKING AND WHEN I TURN IT ON IT SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10317633

MY 2005 LOTUS ELISE HAS A INHERENT PROBLEM WITH THE A/C FAN NOT WORKING. THIS SI A DESIGN FLAW IN THE RESISTOR BEING PLACED WERE IT IS PRONE TO WATER INTRUSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10308806

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

NHTSA ODI 10292136

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

NHTSA ODI 10283477

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DURING A RAIN STORM THE FRONT DEFROSTER WOULD NOT OPERATE, WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY REDUCED HIS VISIBILITY AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY AND CRASH WERE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAN MOTOR PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23000.

NHTSA ODI 10282538

PREMATURE WEARING ON CAM SHAFT IN ENGINE RESULTING IN INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10280908

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER WAS INOPERATIVE, WHICH REDUCED VISIBILITY DURING COLD WEATHER. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RESISTOR PACK CORRODED BECAUSE OF ITS LOCATION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WOULD COST $2,000. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT BECAUSE THERE WAS ONLY A TSB RATHER THAN A RECALL, AND BECAUSE HIS VEHICLE EXCEEDED ITS WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 23,000.

NHTSA ODI 10248838

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

NHTSA ODI 10236940

ROCKER ARM BROKEN ON CYLINDER THREE. MULTIPLE CARS (~20) HAVE BEEN ENCOUNTERED THE SAME FAILURE ON THE SAME CYLINDER. SOLD CAR IN QUESTION AS MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO FIX DESPITE THE FACT THE REASONS FOR DENIAL WERE NOT THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. REPAIR ESTIMATED AT $4600-6500. SAID BASES OF DENIAL CHANGED TO SUIT MANUFACTURER'S STANCE OF NOT WARRANTING THE REPAIR WHEN INFORMATION TO THE CONTRARY WAS PROVIDED. MANUFACTURER HAS WARRANTED SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN THE PAST BASED ON DISCUSSIONS WITH OTHER OWNERS. STILL HAVE PORTION OF ROCKER ARM THAT WAS REMOVED. FAILURE IS IDENTICAL TO THOSE OF AFOREMENTIONED OWNERS, WHICH SUGGESTS A TREND OF EITHER DEFECTIVE PARTS, DESIGN FLAWS, FAILURE TO ENGINEER A PROPER SAFETY MARGIN FOR THE ENGINE APPLICATION, OR A COMBINATION OF ANY OF THESE. FURTHER STUDIES BY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE SAME FAILURE REVEALED A MISALIGNED OIL JET ON THE NUMBER-THREE CYLINDER INTAKE SIDE, WHICH MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10223046

1) AT FIRST 1ST TO 2ND UP SHIFT AND 3RD TO 2ND DOWN SHIFT WAS GRINDING AT ABOUT 5000 RPM. SHIFTING PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORSE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND AND 3RD TO 2ND. NOW 3RD TO 2ND DOWN SHIFTING GRINDS AT EVERY RPM AND 1ST TO 2ND SHIFT IS VERY DIFFICULT. DIAGNOSED BY MECHNANIC AS SYNHRO FAILURE. 2) 2ND GEAR SYNCHRO FAILURE. CAN'T UPSHIFT WELL AND DOWN SHIFTING FROM 3RD TO 2ND GRINDS GEAR AND DESTROYS GEAR. UNSAFE WHEN YOU CAN'T GET INTO GEAR. 3) LOTUS USA AND THE DEALERSHIP AUTOSTRADA USA HAVE DENIED WARRANTY CLAIM. THEY WON'T FIX THE TRANSMISSION. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10166642

MANUAL TRANSMISSION POPPED UNEXPECTEDLY OUT OF 5TH GEAR DURING HARD DRIVING CAUSING DRIVER TO SELECT WRONG GEAR IN ATTEMPT TO REGAIN CONTROL OF VEHICLE. THE PLACING OF THE TRANSMISSION INTO 3RD GEAR BY MISTAKE LED TO CATASTROPHIC OVER-REVVING OF THE ENGINE WITH ENGINE FAILURE (TOTAL LOSS). DEALER HAD BEEN ADVISED REGARDING THE POPPING OUT OF GEAR PRIOR TO THE FATAL EVENT AND WAS UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE AND IN SPITE OF DEALER ASSESSMENT THE PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED. THE PROBLEM NOW HAS WORSENED TO GRINDING OF THE GEARS ON SIMPLE DRIVING. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST HAS ADVISED DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ADVISED, BUT REPORTS TO ME THAT THEY DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEIR ENGINEERS CANNOT CONCEIVABLE THINK OF A WAY THE GEARBOX /TRANSMISSION CAN "POP" OUT OF GEAR IF PROPERLY PLACED INTO THE GEAR. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OBSERVED BY TWO OTHER INDEPENDENT DRIVERS WHO HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM OCCUR WITH THEIR USE OF THE VEHICLE. I AS THE OWNER HAVE PURCHASED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED AND HAS REPORTED NO INTEREST IN SEEING THE DEFECTIVE PART, NOR ANY WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE IN FIXING THE ISSUE. ISSUES REMAIN: MANUFACTURER UNWILLING TO INVESTIGATE THE COMPLAINT AS WELL AS RECOGNIZE THAT THE PROBLEM COULD EXIST. SAFETY CONCERN REMAINS FOR THOSE NOT EXPECTING THE SUDDEN LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT OR AS IN MY CASE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE ENGINE. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10165085

SUB: 2005 LOTUS ELISE NHTSA RECALL #05V-571 [XXX]. I LIVE IN NICHOLASVILLE KENTUCKY & DEALER IS IN ATLANTA GA. DRIVING THERE WOULD BE 12 HRS ON THE ROAD + $$ FOR ACCOMMODATIONS & TRAVEL EXPENSES, CAR MILEAGE & DEPRECIATION. FAILURE & I WOULD BE STRANDED & WITH MORE EXPENSE. I AM AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER, REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER & FORMER AUTO MECHANIC, I HAVE WORKED IN THE AREA OF AUTO SAFETY > 40 YEARS. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO HAZARDS OF FAILURE I SUGGESTED TO DEALER SERVICE MGR & LOTUS WARRANTY MGR, THAT I HAVE THE ABILITY & TOOLS TO INSTALL THE PARTS IF SUPPLIED THEM & WOULD PURCHASE PARTS & INSTALL THEM. I CURRENTLY OWN & MAINTAIN ANOTHER LOTUS CAR AND HAVE OWNED AND DRIVEN SEVERAL OTHERS IN THE PAST. I MAINTAIN 9 AUTOS OF VARIOUS MAKES AND VINTAGES, MY AUTOMOTIVE SHOP IS VERY COMPLETE INCLUDING A 4 POST COMMERCIAL LIFT. FAILURE OF THE LEVER IS WELL KNOWN AND IS DOCUMENTED ON VARIOUS LOTUS ORIENTED WEB SITES, INCLUDING THE NECESSARY PROCEDURES FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE OLD LEVER WITH NEW PRODUCTION PARTS OR NON-OEM KITS. AFTER-MARKET SHIFT LEVERS ARE AVAILABLE AS REPLACEMENT BUT I HAVE FOUND THAT COLLECTIBLE AUTOMOBILES DECREASE IN VALUE WHEN NON-OEM PARTS ARE USED TO MODIFY THEM, OWNERS ARE ADVISED TO USE OEM COMPONENTS BY MFGS ALTERNATIVE TO DRIVING TO DEALER REFUSED. NO ALTERNATIVE SUCH AS FLAT-BEDDING WAS OFFERED TO AVOID THE HAZARDS. & TO AVOID THE SUBSTANTIAL COST AND TIME TO REPAIR DANGEROUS DEFECT I HAVE AN EXPENSIVE AUTOMOBILE THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE AT ALL BECAUSE I CANT OBTAIN THE PARTS FOR REPAIR. I WOULD BE SATISFIED IF THE PARTS WERE SUPPLIED TO ME AND I INSTALLED THEM MYSELF. I CERTAINLY COULD DOCUMENT THE CHANGE-OUT WITH PHOTOGRAPHS & RETURN THE OLD PARTS AT MY EXPENSE. A LESS DESIRABLE ALTERNATIVE WOULD BE FLAT-BEDDING THE CAR BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL TIME & EXPENSE INVOLVED AND THE POTENTIAL FOR DAMAGE DURING TRAVEL PLEASE HELP ME GET BACK THE SAFE USE OF MY CAR, SOONEST REPLY APPRECIATED. *NM *JS

NHTSA ODI 10155292