Lotus Exige s 2007 problems
The Lotus Exige /ɛɡˈziːʒ/ is a sports car made by the British company Lotus Cars from 2000 until 2021. Originally a coupé version of the Lotus Elise roadster, since the Series 3 the Exige has been the larger-engined model of the family, featuring a V6 engine in place of the Elise's straight-four. Convertible versions of both models are available.
Series 1
The original Exige was launched in 2000 with a naturally aspirated 1.8 L Rover K Series Inline-four engine in VHPD (Very High Performance Derivative) tune. It is rated at 177 hp (132 kW; 179 PS) at 7,800 rpm in standard form. There was also a "track spec" version with 190 hp (142 kW; 193 PS) available. The car has a five-speed manual gearbox, and a claimed top speed of 219 km/h (136 mph). 0–97 km/h (60 mph) was achieved in 4.7 seconds and 0–100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.9 seconds.
The first generation Exige bodywork was based on that of the Series 1 Elise, which was produced from 1996-2000, although the Elise was updated soon after the introduction of the Exige. The Exige added a non-removable hardtop, "fastback", kamm-tail style rear bodywork with a tinted transparent engine cover and a pylon-mounted rear wing. Front air intakes (blanked on the road cars) and a front splitter were added. Both front and rear bodywork clamshells were widened to accept a wider wheel track. The Series 1 was built until 2001. 604 examples in total were made and the car was not replaced until the Series 2 of 2004.
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Common Lotus Exige s 2007 problems
Based on complaints from owners of the 2007 Lotus Exige S, common problems reported include:
- Engine Issues:
Owners have reported various engine problems with the 2007 Lotus Exige S. These complaints range from issues with engine performance to more serious defects. Some owners have experienced engine stalling, rough idling, and reduced power output. Additionally, there have been reports of oil leaks, overheating, and premature engine wear. These engine issues can lead to costly repairs and impact the overall driving experience of the vehicle. - Electrical System Malfunctions:
Another common problem reported by owners is related to the electrical system of the 2007 Lotus Exige S. Complaints include issues with the car's electronics, such as malfunctioning dashboard displays, faulty sensors, and electrical shorts. These electrical malfunctions can cause various warning lights to illuminate on the dashboard, affecting the vehicle's performance and safety. - Suspension and Handling Concerns:
Some owners have raised complaints about suspension and handling problems with the 2007 Lotus Exige S. These issues include excessive noise coming from the suspension components, uneven tire wear, and a harsh ride quality. Owners have also reported difficulties with steering responsiveness and stability, impacting the car's overall handling characteristics. - Cooling System Defects:
Cooling system problems have been highlighted by owners of the 2007 Lotus Exige S. Complaints in this area involve issues with the car's radiator, coolant leaks, and overheating. A malfunctioning cooling system can lead to engine damage and potential breakdowns, requiring immediate attention and repair to prevent further complications. - Transmission Troubles:
Owners have reported transmission-related problems with the 2007 Lotus Exige S. These complaints include issues with gear shifting, clutch engagement, and transmission noise. Some owners have experienced difficulty in changing gears smoothly, grinding noises during gear shifts, and clutch slippage. Addressing transmission issues promptly is crucial to maintain the vehicle's drivability and performance.
These common problems reported by owners of the 2007 Lotus Exige S highlight various areas of concern that can affect the car's reliability, performance, and overall ownership experience. Regular maintenance, timely repairs, and thorough inspections can help mitigate these issues and ensure the longevity of the vehicle.
Does the Lotus Exige have a Toyota engine?
According to Lotus, the Exige S model, weighing 2,057 lb (933 kg), has the following specifications: Engine. Toyota supplied, 1,796 cc (1.8 L) I4, DOHC with VVTL-i (variable valve timing and lift - intelligent), supercharged and intercooled.
Is Lotus Exige rare?
Firstly, the Exige S2 is a rare car that has a limited production run, making it an exclusive and collectible vehicle. Its rarity is likely to translate to higher prices in the future, particularly for well-maintained and low-mileage models.
Is the Lotus Exige comfortable?
Engines, performance and drive
Incredibly, Lotus' engineers have also managed to make it ride comfortably too. One neat feature is the traction control system available on Race Pack versions which is so clever that even a professional driver is quicker around a racing circuit with it switched on than when off.
What makes a Lotus car so special?
Lotus Cars Uses Less Parts to Build Cars
Traditionally, Lotus Cars have used the least number of parts in its automobiles. The parts used to build Lotus Cars are also lightweight. Despite the weight, Lotus Cars are fast on the track and extremely dependable.
Lotus Exige s 2007 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Lotus Exige s problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Engine problems
- Visibility/wiper problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Lotus Exige s 2007 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Lotus Exige s 2007 complaints
The NHTSA has received 7 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Lotus Exige s 2007.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2015-11-15
- VIN: SCCVC11157H
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: ON NOVEMBER 15, 2015 MY 2007 LOTUS EXIGE S EXPERIENCED OIL COOLER LINE FAILURE. I WAS TAKING TURN 8 AT THUNDERHILL RACEWAY AT 95 MPH WHEN THE OIL COOLER TRANSFER HOSE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR DETACHED AND DUMPED OIL ONTO MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRES AND ALL ALONG THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. THIS CREATED AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT AND I COULD EASILY HAVE CRASHED AS A RESULT - THE FACT THAT I WAS ON A RACETRACK DOING AN HPDE WITH NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME HELPED PREVENT THAT (HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT MOST CERTAINLY WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT). ON OCTOBER 22, 2013, THIS CAR WAS TAKEN TO LOTUS OF LAS VEGAS FOR THE NHTSA REQUIRED OIL COOLER LINE RECALL, AND THE RECALL WORK WAS FRAUDULENTLY REPORTED AS BEING COMPLETED. AFTER THIS INCIDENT, I CONTACTED JERRY AT LOTUS OF LAS VEGAS AND HE VERBALLY ADMITTED TO ME THAT HE HAD EMPLOYED A TECHNICIAN WHO HAD TO BE LET GO BECAUSE HE WASN'T DOING HIS JOB. CLEARLY, JERRY WASN'T DOING HIS JOB, EITHER. MY INCIDENT WAS A RESULT OF THIS. THIS EXTREME NEGLIGENCE COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH, AND I AM SURE THAT THERE ARE OTHER CARS THAT HAD THIS RECALL DONE AT LOTUS OF LAS VEGAS WHO WILL PROBABLY FIND THAT THEY WERE DEFRAUDED, TOO. I HAVE ATTACHED THE VEHICLE HISTORY FOR MY CAR FROM LOTUS OF LAS VEGAS SHOWING THE DATES AND THE WORK THAT WAS REPORTED AS COMPLETE. LOTUS OF LAS VEGAS CLEARLY HAD ZERO OVERSIGHT ON THE SAFETY RECALL WORK THEY WERE COMPLETING, AND THAT RESPONSIBILITY FALLS ON JERRY'S SHOULDERS. THE FACT THIS OCCURRED IS TERRIFYING, APPALLING AND COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-07-24
- VIN: SCCVC11107H
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: HAVE A LEAK AROUND OIL COOLER. I'M AFRAID IF OIL GETS ON TO EXHAUST IT COULD START A FIRE OR IF IT GETS ON THE TIRES CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE 2005 AND 2006 HAVE ALREADY BEEN INVESTIGATED FOR THIS PROBLEM AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ORDERED BUT APPARENTLY DOES NOT INCLUDE MY 2007 MODEL. *TR
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-05-23
- VIN: SCCVC11137H
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LOTUS EXIGE S. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH WHEN THE DEFROST FAN FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 12,400.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-04-23
- Fire: 1
- VIN: SCCVC11187H
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: THE OIL LINE LEADING TO THE FRONT OIL COOLER FAILED AT THE ENGINE SIDE, WHERE THE HOSE MEETS THE CONNECTOR. THIS CAUSED THE OIL TO LEAK ALL OVER THE ENGINE BAY AND EXHAUST. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CAR AND THERE'S ALREADY A RECALL FOR 05&06 CARS, BUT THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTS FOR 07 CARS AS WELL. THE OIL LEAK CAUSED A SMALL FIRE IN THE ENGINE BAY IN MY CAR. I WAS ABLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE IN TIME, BUT HAD I NOT HAD THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTAL LOSS. THE REPAIR COST FOR THE OIL LINE SHOULD BE PAID FOR BY LOTUS. *JS
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-11-18
- Fire: 1
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING WHEN I NOTICED SOME SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. WHEN I PULLED OVER, I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS SMOKING FROM THE ENGINE BAY, AND THERE WAS OIL DRIPPING DOWN FROM THE UNDER PANELS. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND HAD IT TOWED TO A LOTUS CERTIFIED SHOP, WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE BOLT HOLDING THE OIL SANDWICH PLATE THAT CONNECTS TO THE FRONT OIL COOLER BROKE, ALLOWING THE OIL TO SPRAY OUT ALL OVER THE ENGINE BAY AND UNDER PANEL. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY TWO QUARTS OF OIL LOST, AND I WAS LUCKY THAT THE OIL DID NOT GET ON THE TIRES AS IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC CRASH.THE SHOP SAID THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL LOTUS CARS - EXIGE AND ELISE THAT CAME INTO THE SHOP WITH IDENTICAL ISSUES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINS BEING LOGGED ON LOTUS SPECIFIC FORUMS AS WELL. *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-07-29
- VIN: SCCVC111X7H
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2007 LOTUS EXIGE S. MY VEHICLE HAS A LEAK IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE OIL COOLER. MY ID ON LOTUSTALK.COM IS [XXX] : I HAVE A THREAD WITH PICTURES LOCATED THERE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-11-30
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 LOTUS EXIGE S. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THAT THE OIL LINES COMING FROM THE OIL COOLER WERE VERY LOOSE. HE WAS FEARFUL THAT THE OIL LINES WOULD POSSIBLY FRACTURE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 2,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/11/11*LJ
Lotus Exige s 2007 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the Lotus Exige s 2007.
- Manufacturer: LOTUS CARS LTD
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: LOTUS IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2007 ELISE AND EXIGE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 1, 2004, THROUGH NOVEMBER 30, 2006. THE OIL COOLER LINE MAY BECOME DETACHED FROM ITS FITTING.
- Consequence: A DETACHED OIL LINE COULD SPRAY OIL ON A TIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH, OR IT COULD SPRAY OIL THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
- Remedy: LOTUS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.
Additional sources
More sources of information about Lotus Exige s 2007 problems:
Exige Common Issues | The Lotus Cars Community
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