1991 LOTUS ELAN
1 recalls, 16 complaints - 1 TSBs
02V199000 Jul 25, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Defect Description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANKS CAN LEAK.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 26, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.
Complaint Statistics
16 total complaints
Top Reported Components
| Component | Complaints |
|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 12 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS | 1 |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Apr 24, 2002
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
GAS TANK LEAKS FUEL IF YOU FILL IT UP.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Apr 24, 2002
FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN OVER 1/2 FILLED
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Apr 8, 2002
WHILE PARKED ON A HILL AND GAS TANK IS FULL, FUEL LEAKS OUT. IF TANK IS HALF FULL AND ON A HILL, FUEL DOESN'T LEAK OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK CONSUMER HAS TO FILL THE GAS TANK TO 1/2 OF IT'S CAPACITY TO AVOID SMELLS AND SPILLAGE. *JG
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Apr 5, 2002
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK THERE IS A CRACK. WHEN FILLING VEHICLE UP WITH FUEL IT LEAKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, IT WAS SPLIT ON ONE SIDE. WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WAS INOPERATIVE. *SLC
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Apr 5, 2002
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK THERE IS A CRACK. WHEN FILLING VEHICLE UP WITH FUEL IT LEAKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, IT WAS SPLIT ON ONE SIDE. WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WAS INOPERATIVE. *SLC
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Apr 5, 2002
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK THERE IS A CRACK. WHEN FILLING VEHICLE UP WITH FUEL IT LEAKS. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AND HAD IT REPAIRED. *AK DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, IT WAS SPLIT ON ONE SIDE. WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WAS INOPERATIVE. *SLC
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Mar 6, 2002
Incident date: Jan 1, 1995
FUEL TANK CRACKED, AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER FIXED IT TWICE, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Feb 26, 2002
APPERANTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE LOTUS ELAN FUEL TANK. LOTUS WANTS TO CHARGE ME FOR REPAIRING SOMETHING THEY KNOW IS FAULTY DUE TO POOR DESIGN. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH OTHER ELAN OWNERS AND SOME HAVE PAID THE FEE FOR THE NEW TANK AS WELL AS THE SERVICE CHARGES TOTALLING OVER $1,000. I ALONG W... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Aug 17, 2001
Incident date: Aug 7, 2001
WHEN GAS TANK WAS FILLED FUEL LEAKED ON GROUND AND FUMES ENTERED VEHICLE. FUMES WERE SO STRONG THAT CONSUMER FELT SICK AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE LEAKED SO MUCH FUEL IN GAS STATION THAT EMPLOYEE WAS GOING TO BILL THE CONSUMER. DEALER, LOTUS WAS NOT ADMITTING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. FUEL TANK ... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Dec 13, 2000
Incident date: Nov 15, 2000
THIS TYPE OF FAILURE HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE MODEL BEFORE. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Dec 22, 1999
Incident date: Dec 1, 1999
WHEN FILLED WITH GAS, THE FUEL TANK LEAKS FROM THE LEFT-HAND SIDE OF THE TANK; LEAKING FUEL IS A FIRE HAZARD AND GAS ODOR IN CAR IS ANNOYING. I SUSPECT THAT THE TANK NECK HAS CRACKED AT ITS JUCTION TO THE TANK BODY AS REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS. I CONTACTED LOTUS CARS, WHO INSISTED THAT I TAKE IT T... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Jun 23, 1999
FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN IT IS FULL. MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Jun 12, 1999
Incident date: Aug 30, 1998
THIS PROBLEM POSES A SERIOUS HAZARD. LOTUS REFUSES TO PROVIDE SERVICE BULLETINS THAT MIGHT BE PERTINENT TO THIS PROBLEM.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
Jun 12, 1999
Incident date: Aug 30, 1998
THIS PROBLEM POSES A SERIOUS HAZARD. LOTUS REFUSES TO PROVIDE SERVICE BULLETINS THAT MIGHT BE PERTINENT TO THIS PROBLEM. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY. *AK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Jun 8, 1999
Incident date: Nov 1, 1998
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR THIS VEHICLE.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
Jun 8, 1999
Incident date: Jun 6, 1999
THE CAR FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE OWNED LEAKED FUEL WHEN EVER THE TANK IS FILLED UP. IT IS NOT LEAKING AS A RESULT OF OVERFLOW, BUT FROM SOME WHERE BETWEEN THE NECK AND THE TANK. BESIDES LEAKING FUEL IT HAS A REAL BAD SMELL. *AK
EPA Fuel Economy, 1991 LOTUS ELAN
| Trim / Engine | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined MPG | Fuel Type | Annual Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive) | 21.0 | 29.0 | 24.0 | Premium | $3,150 |
CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Two Seaters)
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.
Technical Service Bulletins, 1991 LOTUS ELAN
1 manufacturer communications from 1 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.
Most Affected Components
| Component | Bulletins |
|---|---|
| 980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
No comms 2023-07
Jul 10, 2023
980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
There are no Manufacturer Communications in accordance with 49 CFR 579.5 to report for July 2023 for Lotus Cars Limited.
LOTUS ELAN - All Years Overview
Complete safety history for the LOTUS ELAN across all model years (1969, 1992).
3
Total Recalls
18
Total Complaints
0
Investigations
0
Reported Crashes
0
Reported Fires
0
Reported Deaths