AI Damage2007 Lotus Elise: common problems
Owners of the 2007 Lotus Elise filed 8 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and engine. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 8
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 38% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 25% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 13% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine: 3 complaints (38% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (25% of all).
- Powertrain: 1 complaints (13% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.8 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 8 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 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.
The 2007+ lotus elise/ exige are all equipped with a shifter that is prone to failure. I have personally had a broken shifter while driving on the highway and was stuck at the 3rd gear and almost got into a car accident. Many have also reported the same situation.
I looked back and it seemed that it was like a dirty brown smoke. I was my car. (I later realized the cloud was a spray of oil mist.) I was going 65 or 70 mph and didn't notice anything unusual with the drivability. I looked at my instrument panel & noticed the oil light was on.
I was on the freeway driving at freeway speeds in the #1 lane when I smelled burning oil. I hadn't noticed the car performing differently so I looked ahead to the forward cars for the 'gross polluter' causing the smell. I didn't see anyone with my first forward inspection.
Noted some odd engine rattling noises briefly. Seconds later, strong smell of gasoline which dissipated. Then saw flickering instrument panel warning lights which stopped but resumed and was low oil light which went out and then came on full. Stopped immediately and turned off engine.
Monitored for signs of oil leakage anyway but saw nothing: no change in oil level on dipstick checks, no signs of oil under car. While accelerating on expressway, had low oil warning light come on and noticed some difficulty steering due to slickness as car was brought to a safe halt as quickly as possible.
Was driving my 2007 lotus elise when the oil hose pulled out of the crimped fitting at the right rear connection to the engine just above the oil filter. This caused all of the oil to quickly leave the engine and coat the right rear tire.
Failure only occurred once, but caused engine failure. 3. Engine was replaced entirely.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,899 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 32% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Elise has 18 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 8, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2007 Lotus Elise?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, engine, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 8. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: oil leak or consumption (50%), smoke, burning smell, fire (25%), warning lights, check engine (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2007 Lotus Elise?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2007 Lotus Elise from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2007 models
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 2026-11-06.