2005 Lotus Elise problems
Owners have filed 54 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Lotus Elise. Engine is the most reported problem area, at 50% of complaints. After that come cooling system (11%) and electrical system (7%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 54 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 50% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 2 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 27,000 miles 51 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 19 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 18 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 6 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 0 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 51 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 27,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 29,000 miles (25 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 2 complaints mention a crash; 2 complaints mention a fire.
It is also covered by 2 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 lotus elise. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, smoke began to emit in and around the vehicle. The contact attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal sank to the floor. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the oil cooler line fractured causing a leak and as a result, the oil cooler and brakes needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 41,187.
I own a 2005 lotus elise. While driving the vehicle during a rain storm the front defroster would not operate, which subsequently reduced my visibility as a consequence, as I was getting ready to pull over to the side and sit, I ran into flood water as a result of not being able to see properly. I contacted the dealership where I was informed that the reason this happened was the fan motor pack needed to be replaced which would cost me 1900 dollars.
Tl*the contact owns a 2005 lotus elise. The contact stated while driving the vehicle during a rain storm the front defroster would not operate, which subsequently reduced his visibility as a consequence his risk for serious injury and crash were increased. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that the fan motor pack needed to be replaced. The current and failure mileages were 23000.
My 2005 lotus elise has a inherent problem with the A/C fan not working. This si a design flaw in the resistor being placed were it is prone to water intrusion.
Other model years of the Elise
- 2011
- 2010
- 2009
- 2008
- 2007
- 2006
- 2005