2005 Lotus Elise: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Lotus Elise: 2 recalls, 46 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #05V571000 · 2005 · 1,740 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with 6-speed manual transmissions, the gear lever May break.
Why it matters: This could result in the inability to change gears, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the gear levers. The recall began on February 10, 2006.
Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #11V510000 · 2011 · 5,041 vehicles
What's wrong: The oil cooler line May become detached from its fitting.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (28): the most common themes are leaks (7), warning light on (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (5): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3), stalls / loses power (2), noise or vibration (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2005 Lotus Elise has 46 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 7 Elise model years for complaints (4.5× the average Elise year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (17 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 28,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2006 (17 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Lotus Elise.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Lotus Elise have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Lotus Elise. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Lotus Elise problems?
Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (28), transmission & drivetrain (5), visibility (wipers, glass) (4).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Lotus Elise get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 6-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Lotus Elise repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.