Recall 13V041 affects 451 2007-2008 Lotus Elise and Exige vehicles for oil cooler line detachment. Repair is free at any franchised Lotus dealer.
Lotus is recalling 451 2007-2008 Elise and Exige vehicles because the oil cooler line can detach from its fitting. If the line comes loose, oil can spray onto a tire or through the engine compartment, increasing crash or fire risk; the Lotus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The oil cooler line on 2007-2008 Lotus Elise and Exige vehicles carries engine oil between the engine and the oil cooler. The cooler helps shed heat from the oil, and the line has to stay locked to its fitting while oil is moving under pressure. A fitting is the metal connector that holds the line in place at the end of the hose or pipe.
In this recall, the oil cooler line does not stay secured to that fitting. When the connection lets go, the line detaches from the point that is supposed to hold it sealed. The recall summary does not identify a deeper root cause, so the defect is best understood as a line-to-fitting attachment problem.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue is at the oil cooler line connection, so an owner should not rely on a dashboard light, sound, or drivability change to confirm that the line is still attached.
Who's affected?
Covers both Elise and Exige across the 2007-2008 model years, with cooling-system hose and engine-cooling components named for each.
| 2007 Lotus Elise | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
|---|---|
| 2007 Lotus Elise | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2007 Lotus Exige | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2007 Lotus Exige | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Lotus Elise | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2008 Lotus Elise | Engine and engine cooling |
| 2008 Lotus Exige | Hoses/lines/piping/fittings |
| 2008 Lotus Exige | Engine and engine cooling |
| Units affected | 451 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific car is included.
What's the safety risk?
A detached oil line can spray oil onto a tire, increasing crash risk, or spray oil through the engine compartment, increasing fire risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair and stop using the vehicle if you see oil leaking or smell smoke. Repair will be free at any franchised Lotus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2007-2008 Lotus Elise or Exige is included in this recall.
- Contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887 if you have not received an owner notice.
- Call a franchised Lotus dealer and reference recall number 13V041 when you ask about the free repair.
- Schedule the oil-cooler hose fitting and lateral hose replacement that keeps the oil line attached and helps prevent oil from spraying onto a tire or into the engine compartment.
- Bring the recall notice if Lotus mailed one, or give the dealer your VIN and recall number 13V041.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Lotus technician replaces the oil cooler hose fittings and the full lateral oil cooler hose at no charge under the recall. Lotus said owner notification began on March 4, 2013, but the current remedy status is not marked available. If your VIN is included, ask a Lotus dealer to confirm remedy availability before arranging service. Once available for your vehicle, the dealer repair is free and covers the listed parts and labor.
Timeline
| February 5, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 4, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V041?
Recall 13V041 covers 451 2007-2008 Lotus Elise and Exige vehicles with an oil cooler line that can detach from its fitting. Oil on a tire raises crash risk, and oil in the engine compartment raises fire risk. Lotus dealers replace the oil cooler hose fittings and lateral oil cooler hose for free.
What should I do if my 2007-2008 Lotus Elise or Exige is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Elise or Exige is included in recall 13V041. If it is, contact a franchised Lotus dealer to schedule replacement of the oil cooler hose fittings and lateral oil cooler hose. Reference recall number 13V041 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the Lotus recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Lotus dealers replace the oil cooler hose fittings and the entire lateral oil cooler hose free of charge, including parts and labor.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is oil reaching places it should not go. If the oil cooler line detaches, oil can spray onto a tire and raise crash risk, or spread through the engine compartment and raise fire risk. Confirm your VIN, then arrange the free dealer repair.
What if I bought my Lotus Elise or Exige used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the VIN, not the first owner. If you never received the original notice from Lotus, check your VIN and call a franchised Lotus dealer with recall number 13V041.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V041000 |
|---|---|
| Lotus customer service | 1-800-245-6887 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V041 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V041000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →