Models
Every Lotus model with a safety record. Open one to see it year by year.
| Model | Years | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Elise | 2005–2011 | 72 |
| Evora | 2010–2020 | 16 |
| Elan | 1991–1994 | 14 |
| Exige S | 2007–2009 | 8 |
| Esprit | 1987–2004 | 3 |
| Exige | 2005–2011 | 1 |
| Emira | 2023–2024 | 1 |
Also on record, with too little data for a page of its own: Exize · 2-eleven · evora-gt · Europa.
NHTSA recalls, complaints and manufacturer communications (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · new cars in Europe: European Environment Agency, 2010–2022
Complaints by model year
All Lotus models together. Newer years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints
What owners report
- Engine and engine cooling46
- Engine18
- Fuel system, gasoline14
- Power train13
- Suspension11
- Electrical system7
- Visibility6
- Unknown or other4
NHTSA ODI complaints, by the system named in the complaint
Latest recalls
Lotus Cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Evora vehicles. The toe board in the passenger footwell lacks stiffness, allowing the knee of an unbelted occupant to contact the rigid structure of the vehicle, in the event of a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Lotus Cars Limited (Lotus) is recalling certain 2018 Lotus Evora vehicles. Due to an assembly error, in the event of a frontal collision, the steering column may not properly collapse to absorb some of the impact energy.
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.
Lotus Cars USA, Inc. is recalling certain model year 2011 Evora supercharged vehicles equipped with a manual transmission and manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The engine oil cooler hose may chafe and rupture resulting in oil loss.
Lotus Cars is recalling certain model year 2013 Evora vehicles manufactured September 2012 through November 2012. These vehicles have been granted a temporary exemption from the requirement to conform to the latest passenger side advanced air bag requirements covered by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 208, "Occupant Crash Protection," but the affected vehicles do not a contain temporary exemption label in accordance with 49 CFR 555.9. Additionally, the affected vehicles have the incorrect date of manufacture on the Federal Certification Label.
Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The oil cooler line may become detached from its fitting.
Lotus is recalling certain model year 2011 Evora supercharged vehicles manufactured from February 2011 through September 2011, equipped with a three-piece oil feed pipe with a flexible hose section. This engine mounted oil feed pipe, used to supply oil to the engine cylinder head, can rupture.
LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 ELISE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 2011, FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE VEHICLES WERE FITTED WITH TURN SIGNAL MODULES WHICH WERE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE REVISED FRONT HEADLIGHT CONFIGURATION WHICH INCLUDES THE INTEGRAL FRONT LED TURN SIGNAL UNITS. THE INCOMPATIBLE MODULE MAY, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS CAUSE ALL THE LED TURN SIGNAL LAMPS TO FLASH AT AN ERRATIC FREQUENCY WHEN THE HAZARD WARNING SWITCH IS DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, IN THE EVENT THAT EITHER A FRONT OR REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP FAILS TO ILLUMINATE OR DOES NOT FLASH AT THE CORRECT FREQUENCY WHEN OPERATED, THE REMAINING FUNCTIONING SIGNAL LAMPS ON THAT VEHICLES SIDE AS WELL AS THE INSTRUMENT TURN TELL TALE LAMP WILL NOT FLASH AT AN INCREASED RATE AS INTENDED.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
EU safety alerts
7 Lotus alerts in Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, since 2012.
| Emira A12/01676/23 · 21 Jul 2023 | Injuries |
| Elise A12/00048/20 · 17 Jan 2020 | Fire, Injuries |
| Evora A12/1761/18 · 23 Nov 2018 | Injuries |
| Elise A12/1371/16 · 28 Oct 2016 | Injuries |
| Elise, Exige, 211 and Evora S A12/0919/14 · 20 Jun 2014 | Fire, Injuries |
| Evora S A12/1003/13 · 9 Aug 2013 | Fire, Injuries |
| A12/1637/12 A12/1637/12 · 2 Nov 2012 | Fire |
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0 · all EU alerts
New registrations in Europe
7,450 new Lotus cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Germany (119), Italy (57), Belgium (31), France (16), Austria (9).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 248 | 216 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 420 | 203 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 500 | 203 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 708 | 195 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 717 | 210 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 705 | 205 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 786 | — |
| 2015 | 696 | — |
| 2014 | 572 | — |
| 2013 | 449 | — |
| 2012 | 296 | — |
| 2011 | 522 | — |
| 2010 | 831 | — |
Most registered Lotus models in Europe, 2022
| Model | New cars |
|---|---|
| Elise Sport 240 | 99 |
| Exige Sport 390 | 86 |
| Emira | 61 |
| Evora 410 | 1 |
| Evora Gt 410 4 Seat Automatic Gearbox | 1 |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement