NHTSA Investigates Lotus Elise Oil-Cooler Ruptures

The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) is investigating oil-cooler leaks on 4,400 Lotus Elise sports cars from the 2005-2006 model years. The safety agency instigated the search after 33 owners complained that their cars’ oil-cooler ruptured, spraying oil on the wheels and /or the engine bay.

According to the document filed on the agency’s web site, one owner allegedly lost control of his car when oil spilled on his front right tire made him spin and veer off the road. Several others reported that they suddenly saw the oil warning light come on and stopped to check the oil level only to find that the sump was empty.

However, the most serious claim is by an owner who says his Elise caught fire because of the oil spilling into the engine bay.

The NHTSA said it is looking into the issue.

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Lotus to Kill Elise and Exige for North America in August

If you’re a fan of the lightweight sports cars from Lotus, namely the Elise and its closed-top sibling, the Exige, and live in North America, then you’d better hurry up before the well dries up. That’s because production of the North American spec model will end in August according to a report from Autoblog.

The reasons behind this decision lie in the lack of “smart” airbags, which are now mandatory in the US, along with Toyota’s decision to stop production of its 2ZZ 1.8-liter, 4-cylinder engine that powers US-spec models. The Elise and the Exige will continue to be sold in Europe, as they’re equipped with a new 1.6-liter four-cylinder unit.

Source: Autoblog

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