MotorDeets

2008 Lotus Elise: Recalls, Problems & MPG

Here are the deets on the 2008 Lotus Elise: 2 recalls, 0 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.

2vehicle recalls
0owner complaints
0mention a crash
23best combined mpg
2008 Lotus Elise
Photo: Royian · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons. Representative photo of this generation; trim may differ.

Recalls

2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.

Engine & cooling, Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #13V041000 · 2013 · 451 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 replace the oil cooler hose fittings and the entire lateral oil cooler hose, free of charge. The safety recall began on March 4, 2013.

Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #14V280000 · 2014 · 860 vehicles

What's wrong: Lotus cars USA, Inc. (Lotus) is recalling certain model year 2008-2011 elise and exige vehicles manufactured from November 2007 to July 2011, and 2011 evora vehicles manufactured September 2010 through September 2011. The oil cooler hose May detach from its fitting.

Why it matters: A detached oil hose 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 replace the oil cooler hose fittings on the elise and exige vehicles and will replace the oil cooler hose assemblies on the evora vehicles, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule.

Most-reported problems

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2008 Lotus Elise so far.

Engines & fuel economy (EPA)

EngineTransmissionDriveCityHwyComb.Fuel
1.8 L 4-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive212723Regular
1.8 L 4-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive202622Regular

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 2008 Lotus Elise.

eManualOnline Download (PDF), keep forever

Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.

Most $25–$78, one-time
Check 2008 Lotus Elise manual
Mitchell 1 DIY Online access, factory-level data

Pro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.

From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yr
Check 2008 Lotus Elise manual
ALLDATAdiy Online access, factory OEM info

OEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.

From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yr
Check 2008 Lotus Elise manual
Haynes Print book or AllAccess online

Step-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.

Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/mo
Check 2008 Lotus Elise manual

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FAQ

Does the 2008 Lotus Elise have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2008 Lotus Elise. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2008 Lotus Elise get?

EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 6-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.

Where can I get a 2008 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.

Other Elise years

2005200620072008200920102011