— An expensive sports car needs oil just as any other car, but not typically sprayed all over the tires and engine. But that's what can happen to about 860 model year 2008-2011 Lotus Elise and Exige cars, and model year 2011 Evoras.
In documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Lotus says the oil cooler hose can detach from its fitting and pretty much spray oil where it wants, from the tires to the engine compartment. Oil on the tires equal slick tires. Oil on hot engine parts equal smoke and flames.
Lotus is certainly aware of a problem with the Elise and Exige because those cars have been recalled twice before for the same oil problem. Those recalls involved different model years, however.
Lotus dealers will replace the oil cooler hose fittings on the Elise and Exige and will replace the oil cooler hose assemblies on the Evora.
Owners can contact Lotus at 800-245-6887 and refer to recall number 201401R for the oil cooler hose fitting repairs on the Elise and Exige, and number 2014/02R for the oil cooler hose assembly repairs on the Lotus Evora.
