Lotus Esprit recalls

4 official safety recalls for the Lotus Esprit from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Driver's sun visor may lack an air bag warning label

    Reported January 5, 2004Model years 1997–2003NHTSA campaign 04V001000660 vehicles affected

    Without the warning label, occupants may not understand air bag operation or the need to use seat belts, increasing injury risk in a crash. Owners will receive labels and installation instructions.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
    Defect
    CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO, 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." CERTAIN AIR BAG WARNING LABELS ARE REQUIRED ON BOTH SUN VISORS AND THE ABOVE VEHICLES FAILED TO HAVE THE REQUIRED LABELS AFFIXED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUN VISOR.
    Consequence
    THE ABSENCE OF THE LABELS COULD CREATE A RISK TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IF THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS IS NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD. IMPROPER USAGE COULD CAUSE INJURIES IN THE EVENT OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHEN THERE IS A CRASH.
    Remedy
    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JANUARY 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.
    Notes
    CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

  2. Rear wheels may crack and break

    Reported June 22, 1998Model years 1997–1998NHTSA campaign 98V135000160 vehicles affected

    Wheels that were not properly heat treated may crack and break, which can cause loss of vehicle control and increase crash risk. Dealers will replace the affected wheels.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    WHEELS:RIM
    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED FOR HARDNESS. THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK.
    Consequence
    THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
    Notes
    THIS RECALL SUPERCEDES RECALL NO. 97V-202.OWNER NOTIFICATION OCCURRED ON JUNE 30,1998. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

  3. Rear wheels may crack and break

    Reported November 19, 1997Model years 1997NHTSA campaign 97V20200011 vehicles affected

    Some wheels may not have been heat-treated to the required hardness and could crack and break, causing a loss of vehicle control. Dealers will replace the wheels.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    WHEELS:RIM
    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED FOR HARDNESS. THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK.
    Consequence
    IF THE REAR WHEELS CRACKED AND BROKE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 4, 1997.ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED.NO FURTHER ACTION IS REQUIRED ON THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN.

  4. Air bag and seat belt warning labels may be missing

    Reported December 5, 1996Model years 1995–1997NHTSA campaign 96V244000240 vehicles affected

    Without the sun visor labels, occupants may not understand how the air bag system works or the need to wear seat belts. Owners will receive labels and fitting instructions and may ask dealers to install them.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    AIR BAGS
    Defect
    AIR BAG AND SEAT BELT SYSTEM WARNING LABELS ARE MISSING FROM THE SUN VISOR. THIS DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FMVSS NO. 108, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."
    Consequence
    THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
    Remedy
    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF THEY SO DESIRE, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS INSTALL THESE LABELS FOR THEM.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BEGIN JANUARY 31, 1997.NOTE:OWNERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE THE LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FREE OF CHARGE SHOULD CONTACT LOTUS AT 1-800-245-6887, EXT. 405.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

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