Recall 14V280 covers 860 2008-2011 Lotus Elise, Exige, and Evora vehicles for detachable oil cooler hoses. Free Lotus dealer repair once available.
Lotus is recalling 860 2008-2011 Elise, Exige, and Evora vehicles under recall 14V280 because the oil cooler hose can detach from its fitting. A detached hose can spray oil onto a tire or through the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a crash or fire, and the Lotus dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The oil cooler hose on 2008-2011 Lotus Exige, Elise, and Evora vehicles is part of the engine oiling system. It carries hot engine oil between the engine and the oil cooler, where heat is removed before the oil returns to lubricate moving engine parts. The hose has to stay locked to its fitting while oil is under pressure.
On affected vehicles, the oil cooler hose can detach from its fitting. Once that connection separates, engine oil leaks instead of staying in the closed oiling circuit. That leaves the engine with less oil available for lubrication and cooling, and the vehicle needs dealer inspection and recall repair before the hose connection can be trusted.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the hose attachment itself, so the first clear sign can be oil loss after the connection has already separated.
Who's affected?
Spans the Exige, Elise, and Evora across the 2008-2011 model years, all involving the engine.
| 2011 Lotus Exige | Engine |
|---|---|
| 2010 Lotus Exige | Engine |
| 2010 Lotus Elise | Engine |
| 2011 Lotus Evora | Engine |
| 2011 Lotus Elise | Engine |
| 2009 Lotus Exige | Engine |
| 2009 Lotus Elise | Engine |
| 2008 Lotus Exige | Engine |
| 2008 Lotus Elise | Engine |
| Units affected | 860 |
A matching year and model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific car.
What's the safety risk?
A detached oil hose can spray oil onto a tire, increasing crash risk, or spread oil through the engine compartment, increasing fire risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the recall repair soon and ask the dealer whether the vehicle should be driven before the repair is ready. Repair will be free at any franchised Lotus dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2011 Lotus Exige, Elise, or Evora is included in this recall.
- Contact Lotus customer service at 1-800-245-6887 to confirm repair timing for your VIN.
- Ask a franchised Lotus dealer about the free oil-cooler-hose fitting or hose assembly repair that secures the oil hose so it does not spray oil onto a tire or into the engine compartment.
- Bring the recall notice if Lotus mailed one. If not, reference recall number 14V280 when you call.
- Avoid driving if you see oil leaks, oil spray, smoke, or smell burning oil, and ask the dealer about towing.
What happens at the repair
Lotus has not provided an owner notification schedule, so treat the final dealer repair as not yet open. Once available, a Lotus technician will replace the oil cooler hose fittings on Elise and Exige vehicles. On Evora vehicles, the technician will replace the oil cooler hose assemblies. Parts and labor will be free under the recall. The year and model are not enough for service eligibility, so confirm the VIN before arranging the repair with a Lotus dealer.
Timeline
| May 27, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| September 30, 2014 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V280?
Recall 14V280 covers 860 2008-2011 Lotus Elise, Exige, and Evora vehicles with an oil cooler hose that can detach from its fitting. A detached hose can spray oil onto a tire or into the engine compartment, increasing crash and fire risk. Lotus dealers perform the recall repair for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2011 Lotus Elise, Exige, or Evora is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Lotus is included in recall 14V280. If it is, contact a franchised Lotus dealer and ask for the oil cooler hose fitting or hose assembly repair. Reference recall number 14V280 and Lotus recall number 201401R or 2014/02R when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Lotus dealers will replace the oil cooler hose fittings on Elise and Exige vehicles, and the oil cooler hose assemblies on Evora vehicles, free of charge.
What is the safety risk in recall 14V280?
The safety risk is oil spraying where it does not belong after the oil cooler hose detaches. Oil on a tire increases crash risk, and oil throughout the engine compartment increases fire risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free dealer repair before adding more miles.
What if I bought my Lotus used?
The free recall repair still applies. Federal recall law follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Elise, Exige, or Evora is included, then call a franchised Lotus dealer with recall number 14V280.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V280000 |
|---|---|
| Lotus customer service | 1-800-245-6887 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V280 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V280000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →