VehicleVerdict

2006 Lotus Elise problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2006 Lotus Elise — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Elise years?

Elise NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted54 complaints2005: 54 complaints2006: 18 complaints2007: 10 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 0 complaints
Elise NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Elise years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Lotus Elise problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1372%
Other211%
Steering16%
Suspension16%
Transmission16%

Does the 2006 Lotus Elise have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

11V510000EngineOctober 14, 2011 · 5,041 units

Defect

LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS FITTING.

Consequence

A DETACHED OIL LINE COULD SPRAY OIL ON A TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR IT COULD SPRAY OIL THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy

LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 17, 2011 · fire

“ON MY 2006 LOTUS ELISE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CHECK OIL LIGHT CAME ON. I WASN'T IN A POSITION TO PULL OVER FOR A FEW MORE MILES DOWN THE ROAD. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOCKED UP AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. OIL WAS IN THE TIRES AND ALL OVER THE BACK OF THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 8, 2011

“PLEASE NOTE, I HAVE NOT HAD AN ISSUE YET, BUT OTHER PEOPLE I KNOW HAVE. THE REAR SUSPENSION INNER TOE LINK HAS BEEN KNOWN TO FAIL ON THE 05 + 06 LOTUS ELISE. I HAVE SEEN FAILURES OF THIS PART SHEARING APART ON VEHICLES WITH AS LOW AS 5000 MILES. A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THIS PART CAUSES THE CAR TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · January 1, 2006

“I WAS TURNING LEFT OUT OF A PARKING LOT, ACCELERATING IN A SAFE BUT ENTHUSIASTIC MANNER WHEN I FELT A VIOLENT SHUDDER/VIBRATION AT AROUND 30-35 MPH. I IMMEDIATELY LET OFF THE THROTTLE AND FELT INCREASED DRAG AS IF I HAD A FLAT TIRE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER INTO A GAS STATION AND FOUND THE MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 6, 2007

“AS I WAS PULLING ONTO MY STREET, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH. I IMMEDIATELY FOUND A PLACE TO STOP AND PARK THE CAR, AT WHICH TIME I NOTICED THE SMELL OF OIL IN THE CABIN. UPON EXITING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED OIL ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE & WHEEL, AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER PARKING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 22, 2011

2006 Lotus Elise — common questions

Is the 2006 Lotus Elise reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2006 Elise problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (13 complaints), other (2 complaints), suspension (1 complaints).

Does the 2006 Lotus Elise have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Lotus Elise. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Lotus Elise under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Lotus Elise years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Elise years to avoid are 2005. The cleanest record among Elise years belongs to 2011.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.