Stats focus on model years from 1960 onwards.
Earlier years appear in the detailed table below where data exists.
Ask About This Model
Get plain-language explanations of recalls and complaints for the
Lotus Esprit. Powered by AI, backed by NHTSA data.
AI Assistant
Important: This assistant provides context from aggregated NHTSA data.
Always check your specific VIN on
NHTSA.gov
for vehicle-specific recall information.
Key Takeaways
A quick scan of where recalls and complaints concentrate for the Lotus Esprit,
based on aggregated NHTSA counts and campaign metadata.
Coverage spans model years 1978–2003 with 15 recall campaigns and 3 complaints in NHTSA data.
Years with the most recall activity: 1997 (4), 1998 (2), and 2003 (1).
Years with the most complaint volume: 1998 (1), 1995 (1), and 1987 (1).
Top recall themes: Other, Airbags, and Equipment and labeling.
Most reported complaint areas (across all years): Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail, Electrical system:horn.
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.
Other
2 campaigns · Years: 1997–1998
These campaigns do not fit a single dominant theme, or the component taxonomy is broad.
These campaigns relate to fuel delivery or emissions components where leaks or failures can raise safety risk.
Official notices (evidence):
78V238000
· Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Most Reported Issues
Across all model years, the most frequently reported areas for the
Lotus Esprit in NHTSA complaint data are
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting, Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail, Electrical system:horn.
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
2003
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2002
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2001
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
2000
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1999
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1998
2
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Electrical system:horn.
1997
4
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1996
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1995
1
1
Both recalls and complaints recorded.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:fuel injection system:fuel rail.
1987
0
1
Complaints recorded; no recall campaigns issued.
Top complaint areas: Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:mounting.
1979
1
0
Recall campaign(s) issued; no grouped complaints in summary.
1978
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.
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:
Equipment
, Wheels
and Air bags
Show recall evidence by year
2003
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
2002
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
2001
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
2000
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
1999
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
1998
Equipment: Labels:
Safety recall involving the equipment area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
Wheels: Rim:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Certain vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no, 208, "occupant crash protection." Certain air bag warning labels are required on both sun visors and the above vehicles failed to have the required labels affixed to the driver's side sun visor.
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Air bag and seat belt system warning labels are missing from the sun visor. This does not comply with fmvss no. 108, "Occupant crash protection."
Wheels: Rim:
Safety recall involving the wheels area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Air bag and seat belt system warning labels are missing from the sun visor. This does not comply with fmvss no. 108, "Occupant crash protection."
1995
Air bags:
Safety recall involving the air bags area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: Air bag and seat belt system warning labels are missing from the sun visor. This does not comply with fmvss no. 108, "Occupant crash protection."
1979
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles are equipped with a tube which is used to connect a filter component in the fuel system. This tube could become damaged as a result of exposure to abnormally high ambient temperatures and the action of certain fuels. The damaged tube could allow fuel leakage to occur.
1978
Fuel system, gasoline: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings:
Safety recall involving the fuel system area. See the official notice for the exact defect, risk, and remedy details.
Summary: The involved vehicles are equipped with a tube which is used to connect a filter component in the fuel system. This tube could become damaged as a result of exposure to abnormally high ambient temperatures and the action of certain fuels. The damaged tube could allow fuel leakage to occur.
Other Lotus Models
Explore recall and complaint data for other Lotus models.
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.
