The most-reported Elise run is SCCPC11125H (2005 builds) with 7 complaints, 2.9× the typical run. Engine and engine cooling problems make up 56% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 4.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Elise model years 2005–2011.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Lotus Elise has 27 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 44% of every Elise complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SCCPC11125H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11155H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11195H•••••• | 2005 | — | 1 | |
| SCCPC111X5H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11105H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11175H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11145H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11165H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11146H•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11176H•••••• | 2006 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11115H•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| SCCPC11156H•••••• | 2006 | — | — |
Each of the other 15 Elise runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Lotus Elise the gap between build years is 3×: a 2005 car draws 4.2 complaints per run, a 2007 one 1.4.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 7 | 5 | — | |
| 2006 | 16 | 11 | — | |
| 2005 | 42 | 10 | — |
Heaviest year here is 2005 at 4.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2007 at 1.4.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 56% of everything Lotus Elise owners report: Engine And Engine Cooling, 39 of 66 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | 2 | |
| Engine | — | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Electrical System | — | — | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | — | — | |
| Visibility | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Lotus Elise; the 6 below cover build years 2005 to 2011. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 14V280000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 2008–2011 |
| 11V510000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 2005–2007 |
| 13V041000 | Engine And Engine Cooling | 2007–2008 |
| 11V541000 | Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit | 2011 |
| 09V179000 | Wheels:hub | 2009 |
| 05V571000 | Power Train:manual Transmission | 2005 |
14V280000 was opened in 2014 on cars built from 2008: 6 years on the road before the recall.
How serious were they
| Outcome | Lotus Elise | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 66 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 0 (0%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 2 (3%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 100% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Lotus Elise share of that is 66 complaints over 27 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Lotus Elise VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 66 NHTSA complaints from 27 Elise runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Elise production run has the most complaints?
SCCPC11125H, a 2005 build, with 7 complaints. The typical Elise run has 2.4.
Which Elise years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 4.2 complaints per run and 2007 lightest at 1.4.
How many Elise complaints involve a crash?
0% of 66 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 2 involved a fire.
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