Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 Elise | 0 | 1 |
| 2009 Elise | 1 | 2 |
| 2008 Elise | 0 | 2 |
| 2007 Elise | 8 | 2 |
| 2006 Elise | 17 | 1 |
| 2005 Elise | 46 | 2 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine and engine cooling43
- Engine8
- Power train7
- Visibility4
- Unknown or other4
- Suspension4
- Electrical system4
- Fuel/propulsion system2
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
In New Zealand
166 Elise cars are on the New Zealand register; 52% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2022 | 11 | 11 | 0 |
| 2021 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2014 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2013 | 6 | 1 | 5 |
| 2012 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 2011 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 2010 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2009 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 2008 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 2007 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 2006 | 8 | 3 | 4 |
| 2005 | 12 | 6 | 4 |
| 2004 | 14 | 10 | 3 |
| 2003 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
| 2002 | 9 | 2 | 5 |
| 2001 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 2000 | 13 | 2 | 11 |
| 1999 | 17 | 2 | 14 |
| 1998 | 12 | 3 | 9 |
| 1997 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
In the Netherlands
479 Elise cars are on Dutch roads; 80% arrived later as imports, and 4 still have a recall open. Open a year for APK defects, odometer checks and colours.
| First registered | On the road | Median list price |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 24 | €62,903 |
| 2005 | 32 | €53,523 |
| 2004 | 39 | €61,652 |
| 2003 | 40 | €59,552 |
| 2002 | 51 | — |
| 2001 | 58 | — |
| 2000 | 38 | — |
| 1999 | 74 | €36,650 |
| 1998 | 85 | — |
| 1997 | 38 | — |
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles (CC0) · list price is the manufacturer's catalogue price when new
In the United Kingdom
3,449 Elise cars were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, by year of manufacture.
| Built | Licensed | Off the road (SORN) |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 14 | 17 |
| 2021 | 67 | 38 |
| 2020 | 51 | 22 |
| 2019 | 76 | 27 |
| 2018 | 62 | 12 |
| 2017 | 70 | 21 |
| 2016 | 72 | 26 |
| 2015 | 66 | 39 |
| 2014 | 75 | 13 |
| 2013 | 39 | 15 |
| 2012 | 31 | 15 |
| 2011 | 55 | 25 |
| 2010 | 86 | 52 |
| 2009 | 69 | 56 |
| 2008 | 133 | 86 |
| 2007 | 161 | 99 |
| 2006 | 150 | 129 |
| 2005 | 165 | 159 |
| 2004 | 172 | 167 |
| 2003 | 197 | 236 |
| 2002 | 272 | 309 |
| 2001 | 174 | 259 |
| 2000 | 295 | 503 |
| 1999 | 398 | 669 |
| 1998 | 356 | 660 |
| 1997 | 130 | 263 |
| 1996 | 12 | 53 |
| 1994 | 0 | 1 |
| 1992 | 0 | 1 |
| 1961 | 1 | — |
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
4,558 Elise cars took their annual MOT test in 2023; 84% passed first time, against 61% for all cars of the same ages. Older cars fail more often, so compare a year with the same year of other cars.
| First registered | Tests | Passed first time |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 103 | 93% |
| 2015 | 101 | 94% |
| 2010 | 115 | 87% |
| 2009 | 102 | 90% |
| 2008 | 187 | 86% |
| 2007 | 230 | 86% |
| 2006 | 228 | 84% |
| 2005 | 249 | 89% |
| 2004 | 245 | 84% |
| 2003 | 291 | 86% |
| 2002 | 410 | 84% |
| 2001 | 266 | 85% |
| 2000 | 515 | 85% |
| 1999 | 665 | 82% |
| 1998 | 626 | 81% |
| 1997 | 225 | 83% |
Why they fail
Share of all first tests that ended in a fail because of each part of the car (one test can fail on several).
| Area | Elise | All cars, same ages |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 6.6% | 18.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 4.8% | 6.7% |
| Visibility | 3.9% | 7.0% |
| Brakes | 2.2% | 12.2% |
| Suspension | 2.2% | 14.4% |
| Tyres | 1.1% | 5.6% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 1.0% | 0.7% |
| Steering | 0.8% | 3.6% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests of cars only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
New registrations in Europe
3,219 new Lotus Elise 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 Italy (39), Germany (39), France (10).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 99 | 176 (WLTP) |
| 2021 | 250 | 177 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 281 | 177 (WLTP) |
| 2019 | 331 | 175 (WLTP) |
| 2018 | 313 | 173 (WLTP) |
| 2017 | 319 | 169 (NEDC) |
| 2016 | 299 | — |
| 2015 | 265 | — |
| 2014 | 230 | — |
| 2013 | 157 | — |
| 2012 | 180 | — |
| 2011 | 198 | — |
| 2010 | 297 | — |
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
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Elise in 3 alerts. European versions can differ from the North American car.
The plastic spacers between the engine fuel rail and cylinder head may expand and contract. Consequently, the cylinder head's securing bolts might suffer excessive fatigue, leading to fuel leak, increasing the risk of accident and fire.
Due to incompatible parts in the brake master cylinders, the brakes could be blocked, increasing the risk of an accident and injury to the vehicle occupants.
The oil cooler pipes may detach from their fittings and deposit oil in the engine compartment and on the road/tyres which can lead to an increased risk of fire and loss of vehicle control.
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
6 campaigns cover the Elise.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE GEAR LEVER MAY BREAK.
NHTSA recalls