AI Damage2017 Lotus Evora: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Lotus Evora filed 3 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 6 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 67% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 33% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 33% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (67% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (33% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Suspension: 1 complaints (33% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that there was a clunking sound coming from the rear suspension. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic who was certified to work on Lotus vehicles, but not associated with the dealer, and the rear suspension arm was inspected and diagnosed with a fracture in the casting of the suspension.
For the second time, a Throttle Actuator code forced an engine shutdown while on a busy freeway with only very narrow breakdown lane stranding the car. Attempts to reset the code(s) failed for about 30 minutes whereupon codes reset and have not recurred indicating the code was only transient but very dangerous.
Driving on an interstate highway a MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light) illuminated and within less than 5 seconds, the engine went into shutdown mode. I was able to safely clear the highway but on a central lane and heavy traffic it would have been impossible to safely clear the highway and the car would be stranded in…
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 1,806 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 14% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Evora has 1 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 3, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Retrofitment of airbag rotary clock spring part number A132M6241F to Evora vehicles originally fitted with…
Retrofitment of airbag rotary clock spring part number A132M6241F to Evora vehicles originally fitted with clock spring part number A132M6236F. As stated in Technical Service Bulletin TSB 2019/05, although clock spring…
- 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.
- There is often inconsistent or insufficient information received from dealers when reporting ECU and TCU…
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.
- Air conditioning compressors failing due to oil starvation
TSB reminds dealers of correct replacement and running-in procedures.
- Any unauthorised modifications, including fitment of non-approved after-market air filter resulting in…
Any unauthorised modifications, including fitment of non-approved after-market air filter resulting in generation of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCâs) P0101 & P1109. We have had several instances where DTCâs P0101 &…
- Revised fault code generation strategies issued for certain O2 sensor and Coolant Temp Sensor diagnostics
Currently a fault code may not be immediately generated or the MIL illuminated in the event that a fault has occurred. In extreme instances this may result in drivability issues such as: - Vehicle poor starting or…
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Lotus Evora?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, suspension. Total complaints: 3. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (33%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Lotus Evora?
NHTSA lists 6 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 2017 Lotus Evora 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.
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 2026-11-04.