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Lotus Elise safety recalls

Every road vehicle recall DVSA lists for the Lotus Elise since 1992: what the problem is, how it is put right, how many vehicles it covers and when they were built. Newest first.

Recalls for the Lotus Elise. Also see car recalls by year and make.

Last updated
Records analysed
10 recalls matched to this model
Methodology
View methodology
  • Recalls since 1992 10 launched 1998 to 2020
  • Most recent 20 February 2020 DVSA recall R/2019/412
  • Recalls 2016 to 2025 2 launched in those ten years
  • Busiest year 2001 2 recalls launched

Does a recall affect your Lotus Elise?

Not every Lotus Elise is affected. Each recall covers cars built on particular dates or with particular VINs, which DVSA’s file does not list in full. To check a specific car, use GOV.UK’s vehicle recall check with its registration, or ask the manufacturer or a dealer, who can check the VIN.

Lotus Elise recalls by year

Recalls launched each year, 1998 to 2026

2001 had the most, with 2. A count of recalls is not a measure of safety: one recall can cover a handful of cars or tens of thousands.

Lotus Elise safety recalls by year of launch
Year Recalls
’98 1
’99 1
’00 0
’01 2
’02 1
’03 0
’04 0
’05 0
’06 1
’07 0
’08 0
’09 1
’10 0
’11 0
’12 0
’13 0
’14 1
’15 0
’16 1
’17 0
’18 0
’19 0
’20 1
’21 0
’22 0
’23 0
’24 0
’25 0
’26 0

Source:DVSA,UK Motoring analysis January 1992 to September 2026 Updated

Every Lotus Elise recall, newest first

2020 1 recall

Bolts securing the fuel rail to the cyclinder head may fail.

Launched 20 February 2020 DVSA recall R/2019/412 Manufacturer ref. 2019/02R

Defect
Bolts securing the fuel rail to the cylinder head may fail.
Remedy
The spacers and fuel rail securing bolts will be replaced with new revised parts
Vehicles affected
762 Elise vehicles
Built
15 May 2012 to 30 Jun 2019

2016 1 recall

Reduction of braking efficiency

Launched 29 September 2016 DVSA recall R/2016/223 Manufacturer ref. 201601R

Defect
An error in production of the brake master cylinder may cause a reduction in braking efficiency.
Remedy
Replace the brake master cylinder on affected vehicles.
Vehicles affected
56 Elise vehicles
Built
14 Mar 2016 to 28 Sept 2016

2014 1 recall

Risk of fire

Launched 15 November 2014 DVSA recall R/2014/066 Manufacturer ref. 2014/02R

Defect
The oil cooler pipes may detach from their fittings and deposit oil in the engine compartment on the road/tyres which can lead to increased risk of fire and loss of vehicle control. Only the pipes with the smooth bore ferrules are affected.
Remedy
Elise Exige and 211: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and repair or replace the oil cooler hoses. Evora: it is proposed that the oil cooler hose assemblies will be replaced with hoses that incorporate the current production released end fittings in accordance with Lotus workshop procedures.
Vehicles affected
1,258 across everything the recall covers
Built
23 Sept 2004 to 17 Jan 2011
Also covers

2009 1 recall

Wheel hub may become insecure

Launched 1 June 2009 DVSA recall R/2009/057

Defect
The bolts securing the rear wheel hubs to the suspension may not have been correctly tightened.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles and check bolts for correct torque and if necessary remove and re-install bolts.
Vehicles affected
288 Elise vehicles
Built
1 Jan 2009 to 22 May 2009

2006 1 recall

Gear lever may break

Launched 8 February 2006 DVSA recall R/2005/186 Manufacturer ref. 2006/01R

Defect
It has been found that there is a small risk that the gear lever may break if subjected to high handling force.
Remedy
Recall the likely to be affected vehicles and where necessary replace the gear lever and associated parts.
Vehicles affected
764 across everything the recall covers
Built
21 Jan 2004 to 8 Feb 2005
Also covers

2002 1 recall

Front brake caliper bolts concern

Launched 5 August 2002 DVSA recall R/2002/066 Manufacturer ref. 2002/1R

Defect
There is a slight chance that one or more of the tapped holes for the four bolts securing the two halves of the brake caliper body together has not been threaded through the full depth of the hole. The structural integrity of any such caliper may be compromised with the risk of fatigue failure of the caliper occurring after an extended period.
Remedy
Check the caliper tapped holes. If any incomplete threading is found the brake caliper is to be replaced.
Vehicles affected
94 Elise vehicles
Built
1 Jul 2001 to 31 Aug 2001

2001 2 recalls

Steering rack may be susceptible to premature wear and possible tooth damage.

Launched 16 June 2001 DVSA recall R/2001/063 Manufacturer ref. 2001/3R

Defect
A batch of steering rack assemblies has been identified as having been built with rack bars which have been subjected to an incorrect heat treatment rendering them susceptible to premature wear and possible tooth damage.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles for a check of the steering rack assembly batch number. If this is confirmed as within the suspect batch the steering rack assembly is to be renewed.
Vehicles affected
338 Elise vehicles
Built
1 Sept 1998 to 31 Jan 1999

Fuel may leak when filling and cornering

Launched 9 February 2001 DVSA recall R/2001/014 Manufacturer ref. 2001/2R

Defect
The hose connecting a spigot on the filler neck to the fuel tank top surface has been found to be of an incorrect material specification. The suspect hoses have a reduced resistance to tearing and rupturing forces exacerbated by careless or incorrect fitting.
Remedy
Recall affected vehicles and replace fuel filler breather hose with modified type.
Vehicles affected
1,509 across everything the recall covers
Built
1 Oct 1999 to 31 Jan 2001
Also covers

1999 1 recall

Possibility of fuel leakage

Launched 4 September 1999 DVSA recall R/1999/074 Manufacturer ref. 1999/1R

Defect
The fuel line push fit connectors may not be to the manufacturers specification. In consequence it is possible that fuel leakage may occur and initiate an engine bay fire.
Remedy
Affected vehicles are being recalled for replacement of the original fuel line connectors with quality assured versions.
Vehicles affected
213 Elise vehicles
Built
from 19 Jul 1999

1998 1 recall

Rear suspension toe link bolt may become loose

Launched 17 June 1998 DVSA recall R/1998/050

Defect
Rear suspension toe link to hub carrier securing bolt may become loose and cause unstable handling.
Remedy
Remove and examine the subject securing bolt renew bolt where found necessary ensure that threads are clean apply approved locking compound refit and tighten bolt to the specified torque.
Vehicles affected
3,780 Elise vehicles
Built
1 Jun 1996 to 30 Jun 1998

Data sources and methodology

Datasets used on this page
Figures Source Period Records Updated
Safety recalls Vehicle safety recalls Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency
Derived statistics UK Motoring 		January 1992 to September 2026 10 recalls matched to this model 15 September 2026
  • Road vehicle recalls (DVSA numbers starting R/) whose model names match the Lotus Elise. DVSA records some recalls under a range or chassis name we cannot match, so this list may be incomplete.
  • Vehicles affected is the number the manufacturer reported to DVSA. When one recall covers several models, DVSA often gives only the total.
  • Build dates are the periods the manufacturer gave. Some recalls have none. VINs are not shown.
  • Concerns written in capitals have been put in sentence case, and apostrophes lost in DVSA’s file have been put back. The text is otherwise DVSA’s.
How we calculate these figures All data sources

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.