Lotus Elan recalls and complaints by year
Comprehensive recall and complaint data for the Lotus Elan, sourced from official National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) records.
Last updated: (NHTSA data snapshot)
At a Glance
Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards. Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
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Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the Lotus Elan. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Lotus Elan, based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
- Coverage spans model years 1969–1994 with 3 recall campaigns and 17 complaints in NHTSA data.
- Years with the most recall activity: 1992 (1), 1991 (1), and 1969 (1).
- Years with the most complaint volume: 1991 (16) and 1994 (1).
- Top recall themes: Fuel and emissions and Visibility and lighting.
- Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap, Vehicle speed control.
- Complaints are not proof of a defect, but repeated themes can be useful signals when researching a used vehicle.
- Always check your specific VIN for open recalls (open recalls are VIN-specific and can change over time).
Recall Themes
Instead of listing long campaign narratives, this groups recall campaigns into a few recurring areas. Each theme links back to official notices as evidence.
Fuel and emissions
1 campaign · Years: 1991–1992These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
- 02V199000 · Fuel system, gasoline: Tank assembly
Visibility and lighting
1 campaign · Years: 1969These campaigns relate to lighting, glass, or visibility components (lamps, wipers, and related systems).
- 69V136000 · Exterior lighting: Headlights
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the Lotus Elan in NHTSA complaint data are Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap, Vehicle speed control.
Jump to Model Year
Year-by-Year Overview
Each row shows how often this model appears in NHTSA recalls and consumer complaints for a given model year. These are counts of campaigns and complaints, not risk predictions.
| Model Year | Recalls | Complaints | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 0 | 1 |
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Power train:manual transmission:floor shift assembly. |
| 1992 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
| 1991 | 1 | 16 |
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly, Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap, Vehicle speed control. |
| 1969 | 1 | 0 | Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary. |
What to Do Next
- Check open recalls by VIN on the official NHTSA site (open recalls are VIN-specific).
- If buying used, ask for proof of recall remedy completion (dealer paperwork helps).
- If symptoms match common complaint themes, consider a mechanic inspection before purchase or long trips.
Recall Evidence by Year
A compact evidence view of recall campaigns that include this model. The default text is an original summary line, with official notice text available on demand.
Most common areas involved: Fuel system and Exterior lighting
Other Lotus Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Lotus models.
⚠️ Important Safety Information
Recall Explained provides independent analysis of official NHTSA data. This site does not replace the official NHTSA VIN lookup and should not be treated as legal or safety advice for your specific vehicle.
For any safety concerns: Always check your VIN on the official NHTSA site and contact an authorized dealer.