2007 Lotus Elise: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2007 Lotus Elise: 2 recalls, 8 owner complaints and up to 23 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.
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.
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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Engine (3): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Fuel & propulsion (2): the most common themes are fire / smoke (2).
- Transmission & drivetrain (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2007 Lotus Elise has 8 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 7 Elise model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 10). Complaints peaked in 2012 (4 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 31,500 miles. Neighboring years: 2006 (17 complaints, 1 recalls), 2008 (0 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
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 2007 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.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2007 Lotus Elise have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2007 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 2007 Lotus Elise problems?
Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (4), engine (3), fuel & propulsion (2).
What gas mileage does the 2007 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 2007 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.