- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday it is investigating 4,400 2005-'06 Lotus Elises because of complaints of oil cooler leaks that represent a fire hazard.
- One complaint alleges an engine compartment fire, while others allege a vehicle control concern due to oil leaking on a tire, said NHTSA.
- NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation, which is sometimes the precursor to a recall.
WASHINGTON — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on Friday it is investigating 4,400 2005-'06 Lotus Elises because of complaints of oil cooler leaks that represent a fire hazard.
"Consumers state that while driving, smoke would appear in the interior of the vehicle, or an oil leak would become otherwise apparent," said NHTSA in the summary of the defect investigation posted on its Web site. "On further examination, the consumer discovered an oil cooler line had failed, causing oil to spray within the engine compartment area, and/or near one of the wheel or brake assemblies.
"One report alleges an engine compartment fire, while others allege a vehicle control concern due to oil leakage on a tire."
NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation, which is sometimes the precursor to a recall. The federal safety agency said it had received 17 complaints from consumers. There are no reports of injuries or fatalities linked to the investigation.
Lotus did not respond to requests for comment on the investigation by Inside Line on Friday.
Inside Line says: If you own the aforementioned Lotus Elise, be aware that a federal safety probe is in the works.
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lowefactor says:
02:28 PM, 10/28/2011
I am one who filed a complaint wrote:
I almost got into an accident when it popped which could have included a number of people around me at the time. The Dulles Access toll road (rt 2567 in Virginia) documented the 3/4 mile oil cleanup they performed on the road which is estimated to cost them over $4,000 U.S. Feel free to contact me at richardlowe8@AOL.com.
The post mortem was extremely expensive. I replaced all of the 4 press on oil fittings and replaced them with aftermarket ones with big barbs to hold the hose. Cost of repair = $ 3,000 US. Two months later, #3 valve broke, partially due to oil starvation from this event AND a known (hundreds of postings on Lotus talk) soft cam issue that can wear out the intake camshaft in as little as 1,500 miles. Cost of repair = $ 8,000 US. Both of these issues were out of warranty and in my opinion are manufacturer 'defects' or very poor design. My car also suffered from the known a/c relay failure issue that was replaced. My steering is starting to 'clank' which the message boards tells me is another problem with these cars in that the steering mechanism wears out at about 35,000 miles or so. I have all of the bad parts which I am making into a display which includes a bent valve, severely worn intake camshaft, failed intake oil pressure switch, relay, etc. I also have plenty of pictures that document the towing, servicing, etc. should Lotus sincerely be interested in 'probing' the issues. It would be nice if Lotus would make me whole on these repairs as I put over $10,000 out of pocket in one year on top of the cost of a not so inexpensive sports car. It's a shame, because like a wayward child, I still love the model.
Complaint I filed:
Make : LOTUS Model : ELISE Year : 2006 Manufacturer : LOTUS CARS LTD Crash : No Fire : Yes Number of Injuries: 0 ODI ID Number : 10390528 Number of Deaths: 0 Date of Failure: March 17, 2011 VIN : SCCPC11186H... Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 LOTUS ELISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL LINE HOSE FITTINGS CONNECTION FAILED CAUSING THE OIL TO SPILL ONTO THE ENGINE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE FROM THE OIL THAT SPILLED ON THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE HE NOTICED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE CONTACT PUT THE FIRE OUT HIMSELF AND NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE OIL LINE HOSE CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT BE REPAIRED FOR AT LEAST FOUR WEEKS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.
tbone85 says:
08:40 PM, 07/24/2011
Whatever the merits or lack thereof of the Toyota unintended acceleration issue, there was certainly more than one case involved. To posit otherwise is wishful thinking. Toyota would certainly love for it to be true, but it isn't.
karlhungus says:
02:31 PM, 07/24/2011
this issue has been talked about for a long time. not just 05-06 but also later cars. http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f312/poll-oil-cooler-hose-failures-94324/
wjtinatl says:
03:36 PM, 07/23/2011
However... if 17 Lotus owners, who could only be described as the most enthusiastic of enthusiasts, complained to the NHTSA, I would have to believe either this problem is very widespread among Elise's or Lotus has completely blown off their owners initial complaints to the manufacturer. Writing a letter to NHTSA seems like the last step in a complaint process, not the first.
jeremy_c says:
09:51 AM, 07/23/2011
@sharpend - yup, that's right. One accident led to the whole alleged Toyota unintended acceleration witch hunt so the rule applies to Lotus.
sharpend says:
07:48 PM, 07/22/2011
'One complaint alleges an engine compartment fire'
All it takes is one complaint? Sheesh.