AI DamageLotus Elan: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Lotus Elan across 3 model years: 15 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
| Year | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) | YouTube repair videos |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9999 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel system 87% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 3 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- Fuel system: 13 complaints (87% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1991–1993
- manual, 5-speed 1991–1993
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While parked on a hill and gas tank is full, fuel leaks out. If tank is half full and on a hill, fuel doesn't leak out. Contacted dealer, cannot fix problem. Consumer has to fill the gas tank to 1/2 of it's capacity to avoid smells and spillage.
Near the top of the fuel tank there is a crack. When filling vehicle up with fuel it leaks. Took vehicle to dealer and had it repaired. Dealer replaced the fuel tank, it was split on one side. Window regulator broke and was inoperative.
When gas tank was filled fuel leaked on ground and fumes entered vehicle. Fumes were so strong that consumer felt sick and pulled over. Vehicle leaked so much fuel in gas station that employee was going to bill the consumer. Dealer, lotus was not admitting there was a problem. Fuel tank would have to be replaced.
Correct year of vehicle is 1991. Ongoing problem with vehicle leaking fuel around the tank neck area. Manufacturer. Was not notified at this time.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.