2009 Lotus Elise: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2009 Lotus Elise: 2 recalls, 1 owner complaint 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.
Wheels Vehicle recall #09V179000 · 2009 · 87 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear hub flange bolts on some of these vehicles May be under-torqued and May become loose. If that occurs, an insecure hub could lead to degradation in vehicle handling, and a rubbing noise from the rear of the vehicle.
Why it matters: If the problem is not addressed promptly, the driver could lose control of the vehicle, resulting in a crash.
The fix: Lotus will notify owners and repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin during June 2009.
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
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
- Brakes (hydraulic) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2009 Lotus Elise has 1 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 7 Elise model years for complaints (well below the 10 average). Neighboring years: 2008 (0 complaints, 2 recalls), 2010 (0 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 | 21 | 27 | 23 | Premium |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 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 2009 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 2009 Lotus Elise have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2009 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 2009 Lotus Elise problems?
Owners have filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (1).
What gas mileage does the 2009 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 2009 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.