Every Lotus Safety Recall In The UK, By Model And Year, With What Each Fault Means And How To Get It Fixed
Lotus has 17 UK safety recalls in DVSA records, including 3 since 2020. The most common recent faults involve visibility, airbags and fuel leaks. Enter your registration to check your Lotus; you won't usually pay for a recall repair at a franchised Lotus dealer.1
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
Latest Lotus Recalls
These are the newest Lotus recalls registered with DVSA, newest first.
17 recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EmiraOn affected vehicles under certain conditions the dry wipe logic built into the windscreen wiper motor can enter a fault state where the system speed cannot be increased to stalk position 3 or high speed | 732 | Book soon | R/2023/188 | |
| EmiraThe interior a-pillar trim tether has not been fitted onto certain production vehicles and therefore does not conform with the original Type Approval of the vehicle. There is a risk the interior a-pillar trim may become completely detached upon deployment of the side curtain airbag potentially causing injury to the occupiers of the cabin | 1,796 | Urgent | R/2023/167 | |
| EliseBolts securing the fuel rail to the cyclinder head may fail | 762 | Urgent | R/2019/412 | |
| EvoraSteering column cartridge screw requires tightening | 32 | Urgent | R/2018/310 | |
| EliseReduction of braking efficiency | 56 | Urgent | R/2016/223 | |
| 211, Elise, Evora, ExigeRisk of fire | 1,258 | Urgent | R/2014/066 | |
| EvoraOil may leak | 187 | Urgent | R/2013/086 | |
| EvoraFire may occur | 173 | Urgent | R/2012/120 | |
| EliseWheel hub may become insecure | 288 | Book soon | R/2009/057 | |
| Elise, ExigeGear lever may break | 764 | Low | R/2005/186 | |
| EliseFront brake caliper bolts concern | 94 | Urgent | R/2002/066 | |
| ExigeBrake pipe chafing | 468 | Urgent | R/2002/094 | |
| 340R, ExigeEngine management | 468 | Urgent | R/2002/074 | |
| EliseSteering rack may be susceptible to premature wear and possible tooth damage | 338 | Urgent | R/2001/063 | |
| Elise, ExigeFuel may leak when filling and cornering | 1,509 | Urgent | R/2001/014 | |
| ElisePossibility of fuel leakage | 213 | Urgent | R/1999/074 | |
| EliseRear suspension toe link bolt may become loose | 3,780 | Book soon | R/1998/050 |
Open any reference for the build dates covered, the fix and what to do. Urgency labels follow our published rules.
Lotus Recalls By Model
Choose your model to see only its recalls. The Emira, Elise and Evora have the most Lotus recall references since 2015.
- Emira2
- Elise2
- Evora1
A recall can cover only certain build dates or engines, so confirm with Lotus by VIN. See where to find your VIN.
How Many Recalls Has Lotus Had?
Since 2020 Lotus has launched 3 UK recalls.
A higher count doesn't mean a car is less reliable: it reflects the size of the range, how vans are counted and how readily a maker recalls. See which car makes have the most recalls.
The Most Common Lotus Recall Faults
Recent Lotus recalls most often involve visibility, airbags and fuel leaks.
- Visibility1
- Airbags1
- Fuel leaks1
A recall can involve more than one type of fault, so the rows overlap. 6% of Lotus recalls include a software update, often done in under an hour. Each fault type links to a page explaining the warning signs and what to do.
Biggest Lotus Recalls Since 2020
The largest recent Lotus recall is R/2023/167 (the interior a-pillar trim tether has not been fitted onto certain production vehicles and therefore does not conform with the original Type Approval of the vehicle. There is a risk the interior a-pillar trim may become completely detached upon deployment of the side curtain airbag potentially causing injury to the occupiers of the cabin), covering about 1,796 vehicle-records.
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Vehicles | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lotus EmiraThe interior a-pillar trim tether has not been fitted onto certain production vehicles and therefore does not conform with the original Type Approval of the vehicle. There is a risk the interior a-pillar trim may become completely detached upon deployment of the side curtain airbag potentially causing injury to the occupiers of the cabin | 1,796 | Urgent | R/2023/167 | |
| Lotus EliseBolts securing the fuel rail to the cyclinder head may fail | 762 | Urgent | R/2019/412 | |
| Lotus EmiraOn affected vehicles under certain conditions the dry wipe logic built into the windscreen wiper motor can enter a fault state where the system speed cannot be increased to stalk position 3 or high speed | 732 | Book soon | R/2023/188 |
Vehicle-records are the manufacturer's estimates, and one car can appear in several recalls.
How To Get A Lotus Recall Fixed
Book with any franchised Lotus dealer using your VIN and the campaign code on your letter. The work is normally free, and the dealer records it with Lotus.1
| Lotus customer or recall line | 0330 094 8047 (Customer Services (UK)) |
| Opening hours | Mon to Thu 8.15am to 5.15pm, Fri 8.15am to 12.15pm |
| customerservices@lotuscars.com | |
| Last checked | 15 October 2026 |
Have your VIN, registration, mileage and the code from your letter ready. See manufacturer recall helplines and how long a recall repair takes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Lotus Recalls Free?
Yes. You won't usually pay for a safety recall repair.1 See do you have to pay for a recall?.
Do Lotus Recalls Expire?
No. A recall stays in force for any car that wasn't fixed, even after it is closed for reporting.2 See do car recalls expire?.
Can I Drive My Lotus With An Open Recall?
Follow your letter. Most recalls let you drive until the repair; a stop-drive notice doesn't. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
What Does The Code On My Lotus Letter Mean?
It is Lotus's campaign reference. Look it up with our recall code lookup.
Data: DVSA vehicle recall data (Open Government Licence v3.0), updated 15 October 2026.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.
- Code timelines: Producers normally respond to DVSA within 28 days (5.5); DVSA reviews are typically monthly (5.4). DVSA must be notified "as soon as the safety defect has been confirmed" (6.1). 3 notifications per motorist is seen as reasonable (8.3). Response rates are reported every three months (11.1).