Lotus Elise years to avoid
No model year of the Lotus Elise stands out with more than twice its typical number of complaints.
Best Lotus Elise years
Not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
Lotus Elise complaints by model year
Owner complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so expect them to grow.
Most common Lotus Elise problems
All model years combined.
- Engine51
- Transmission7
- Visibility4
- Suspension4
- Electrical4
- Fuel system2
- Brakes2
- Wheels1
- Steering1
- Locks1
Lotus Elise problems year by year
Tap a year to see its problems, recalls and what owners say.
| Year | Score | Complaints | Top problem | Typical mileage | Recalls | Crashes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 95 | 1 | Brakes | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2007 | 87 | 8 | Engine | 34,000 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 75 | 17 | Engine | 35,000 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 38 | 46 | Engine | 28,000 | 2 | 2 |
Recalls 6
Questions about the Lotus Elise
What years of the Lotus Elise should you avoid?
No single model year of the Lotus Elise has more than twice its typical number of owner complaints.
What is the best year for a used Lotus Elise?
There are not enough model years on the road yet to compare.
What is the most common problem with the Lotus Elise?
Engine, with 51 complaints across all years, followed by transmission (7) and visibility (4).
How many recalls does the Lotus Elise have?
6 recalls between 2005 and 2009. The 2011 model year has the most, with 2.
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Buying a used Lotus Elise?
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