Lotus Elise, Exige Recall R/2001/014: Fuel May Leak When Filling And Cornering, Who Is Affected And What To Do

Urgent

How serious

9 Feb 2001

Launched

1,509

vehicles in the UK

2001/2R

Manufacturer’s campaign code

Lotus recalled Elise, Exige vehicles built between 1 October 1999 and 31 January 2001. The hose connecting a spigot on the filler neck to the fuel tank top surface has been found to be of an incorrect material specification. The dealer will replace fuel filler breather hose with modified type. You won't usually pay for it.¹

What’s Wrong

The hose connecting a spigot on the filler neck to the fuel tank top surface has been found to be of an incorrect material specification. The suspect hoses have a reduced resistance to tearing and rupturing forces exacerbated by careless or incorrect fitting.

DVSA's Original Wording

Concern: FUEL MAY LEAK WHEN FILLING AND CORNERING Defect: The hose connecting a spigot on the filler neck to the fuel tank top surface has been found to be of an incorrect material specification. The suspect hoses have a reduced resistance to tearing and rupturing forces exacerbated by careless or incorrect fitting. Remedy: Recall affected vehicles and replace fuel filler breather hose with modified type.

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

The Risk

The recall notice describes the concern as: fuel may leak when filling and cornering.

The Fix

The dealer will replace fuel filler breather hose with modified type.

Are You Affected?

Elise, Exige built between 1 October 1999 and 31 January 2001 may be included. Lotus estimates 1,509 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Lotus, because not every car in the date range may be included.

What To Do Now

1. Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Lotus.
2. Book with any franchised Lotus dealer, quoting the campaign code 2001/2R or the DVSA reference R/2001/014. See how to get a Lotus recall fixed.
3. Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.

Related Recalls

This is one of 17 Lotus recalls in DVSA’s data. The Lotus recall launched before it was R/1999/074 on 4 Sep 1999, for possibility of fuel leakage. The one launched after it was R/2001/063 on 16 Jun 2001, for steering rack may be susceptible to premature wear and possible tooth damage. You can also see every Lotus recall, all recalls launched in 2001 and fuel leak recalls across every make.

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Source: DVSA recall R/2001/014, launched 9 February 2001. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.