Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2005 Lotus Elise, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling28
- Power train5
- Electrical system4
- Visibility4
- Suspension3
- Engine3
- Unknown or other2
- Service brakes1
- Latches/locks/linkages1
- Wheels1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2005 Lotus Elise failed the safety check 0.49% of the time — 79% less often than the average 2005 passenger car (2.30%). Median odometer at inspection: 36,679 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
32 first registered in 2005 are on Dutch roads; 78% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €53,523.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde17
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm5
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm4
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld4
- Afgedekt onderdeel niet beoordeeld 5.1b.34
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt2
- CO meer dan wettelijk toegestaan1
- Claxon werkt niet/ontbreekt1
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
165 cars built in 2005 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 159 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 249 of these cars first registered in 2005 took their annual MOT test. 89% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2005 the figure was 56%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 5.2% | 21.5% |
| Visibility | 3.6% | 7.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 1.6% | 6.8% |
| Tyres | 1.6% | 7.0% |
| Brakes | 1.2% | 13.7% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 0.8% | 8.9% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
12 2005 cars are on the New Zealand register; 33% arrived as used imports, 50% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 6-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS, THE GEAR LEVER MAY BREAK.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Lotus told its dealers about the 2005 Lotus Elise: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10209516 | Standard information required and procedures to be followed when reporting ECU & TCU faults. There is often insufficient, or inconsistent information received from dealers when reporting ECU & TCU related faults, this can lead to unacceptable delays in repairing vehicles. |
| 10198785 | There is often inconsistent or insufficient information received from dealers when reporting ECU and TCU related faults. This bulletin aims to standardise the information when filing a claim to After Sales. |
| 10180671 | Air conditioning compressors failing due to oil starvation. TSB reminds dealers of correct replacement and running-in procedures. |
| 10175849 | Any unauthorised modifications, including fitment of non-approved after-market air filter resulting in generation of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0101 & P1109. We have had several instances where DTCs P0101 & P1109 had been set and the car recovered into the dealer, only for them to find that the original equipment engine air intake filter had been substituted for a non-approved after-market type (applicable to both dry and oil coated types). |
| 10160754 | Compatibility of Yokohama AD07 and V105 tire product ranges for the Elise model range. |
| 10143132 | Recommendation of revision to manual brake bleeding procedure on any Elise models fitted with a brake servo unit. Whilst performing a brake fluid bleeding procedure, it is possible that the brake pedal may not fully return to its released/uppermost position (when being fully actuated as part of the manual bleeding routine) due to vacuum stored within the brake servo unit. |
| 10143130 | Retrofitment of the latest level CDL (Central Door Locking) actuator to earlier models if required. Due to parts obsolescence the CDL actuator assembly, part number B116M6039F is no longer available. This actuator was fitted into each door of any Toyota powertrain Elise and 4/6 cylinder Exiges from start of production up to '15MY VIN F_ _11652 equipped with central locking. |
| 10143127 | Clarification of air conditioning compressor ?Running-In? Procedure. Insufficient lubrication will result in compressor failure due to seizure, reducing air conditioning performance and also generate diagnostic trouble codes. |
| 10143126 | To reinforce the importance of checking and clearing stored fault codes at time of PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection). The increased frequency of battery disconnection/reconnection that vehicles are subjected to during transportation from the factory to the dealer or in some instances the prolonged storage, vehicle inactivity and resultant battery discharge may result in DTC?s (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) being generated by the vehicles ECU (Electronic Control Unit). |
| 10143124 | Retrofitment of the latest level windscreen washer bottle/pump assembly to earlier models if required. Due to parts obsolescence the windscreen washer bottle/pump assembly fitted to all Toyota power train Elise and 4-cylinder Exige from start of production (part number A116M0039F) is no longer available. |
| 10143122 | Brake hose/pipe inspection. The routing of all brake hoses and pipes is set during production to ensure that they cannot come into contact with any other ancillary components regardless of the vehicles suspension travel range or steering movement. |
| 10054031 | LOTUS: INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING THE INSPECTION OF ALL BRAKE PIPE/HOSE, ON SOME VEHICLES, BASED ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND THE POSITIONING OF PIPE/HOSE. MODELS ELISE, EXIGE, EVORA, EUROPA. NO YEARS LISTED. *PE |
| 10019861 | UPDATED ECU PROGRAMMES AND SERVICE SCHEDULES. *AK |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Engine Oil Cooler Line Detachment
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation