2007 Lotus Elise/exige

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Engine

Engine leads by volume: 7 of 8 complaints (88%) mention it.

Complaints filed fell from 17 in 2006 to 8 in 2007.

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 5 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category	2005	2006	2007	2008	2009	vs. 2007 Two Seaters
Annual fuel cost ($)	3,500	3,500	2,700–2,850	2,700–2,850	3,350–3,500
Combined MPG	22	22	22–23	22–23	22–23
City / Highway MPG	20 / 25	19 / 27	20–21 / 26–27	20–21 / 26–27	20–21 / 26–27
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)	404	404	386–404	386–404	386–404
Complaints filed	46	17	8	0	1	Not compared
Recalls issued	2	1	2	2	2	Not compared
Crash-involved complaints	2	0	0	0	0	Not compared
Fire-involved complaints	1	1	0	0	0	Not compared
Injuries reported	0	0	0	0	0	Not compared
Deaths reported	0	0	0	0	0	Not compared
Configurations compared	1	1	2	2	2

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

Engine: 7 of 8 NHTSA complaints (88%) mention it.

EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
Configuration	Transmission	Cylinders	Displacement	Drivetrain	Fuel Type	Vehicle Class	City	Highway	Combined	Annual Fuel Cost	CO₂
Configuration 1	Manual 6-spd	4	1.8L	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	Two Seaters	21 mpg (high)	27 mpg (high)	23 mpg (high)	$2,700 (low)	386 g/mi (low)
Configuration 2	Manual 6-spd	4	1.8L	Rear-Wheel Drive	Regular	Two Seaters	20 mpg (low)	26 mpg (low)	22 mpg (low)	$2,850 (high)	404 g/mi (high)

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
Category	Complaints	Crash-Involved	Fire-Involved	Injuries	Deaths
Engine	7	0	0	0	0
Transmission & Drivetrain	1	0	0	0	0
Fuel System	2	0	0	0	0
Electrical	0	0	0	0	0
Brakes	0	0	0	0	0
Steering	0	0	0	0	0
Suspension, Wheels & Tires	0	0	0	0	0
Airbags & Restraints	0	0	0	0	0
Driver Assistance & Speed Control	0	0	0	0	0
Body, Seats & Latches	0	0	0	0	0
Visibility & Lighting	0	0	0	0	0
Other	0	0	0	0	0

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS · Campaign 13V041000 · Feb 11, 2013
Defect: Lotus is recalling certain model year 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles manufactured from December 1, 2006, through October 31, 2007. The oil cooler line may become detached from its fitting.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Lotus at 1-800-245-6887.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS · Campaign 11V510000 · Oct 25, 2011
Defect: LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS FITTING.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.