Newest first. Many cover only part of a model year, so check your VIN with Lotus before booking a repair.
Transport Canada · listed for this model year
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 208. The airbag warning label is missing from the sun visors. Correction: Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions.
2004232 · 11 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
On certain vehicles, the 6-spoke "monobloc" rear wheels were not properly heat treated and could develop cracks on the inside of the spokes. The cracking, which is not necessarily visible to the naked eye, could affect the integrity of the wheels which could result in a loss of vehicle control. Correction: Dealers will replace the wheels.
2004230 · 5 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108. The airbag warning label is missing from the sun visors. Correction: Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions.
2004229 · 6 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108. The airbag warning label is missing from the sun visors. Correction: Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions.
2004177 · 2 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
On certain vehicles, the 6-spoke "monobloc" rear wheels were not properly heat treated and could develop cracks on the inside of the spokes. The cracking, which is not necessarily visible to the naked eye, could affect the integrity of the wheels which could result in a loss of vehicle control. Correction: Dealers will replace the wheels.
2004176 · 2 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 208. The airbag warning label is missing from the sun visors. Correction: Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions.
2004175 · 4 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 108. The airbag warning label is missing from the sun visors. Correction: Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions.
2004146 · 2 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
On certain vehicles, the 6-spoke "monobloc" rear wheels were not properly heat treated and could develop cracks on the inside of the spokes. The cracking, which is not necessarily visible to the naked eye, could affect the integrity of the wheels which could result in a loss of vehicle control. Correction: Dealers will replace the wheels.
2004145 · 4 units in campaign · Transport Canada
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
United States records (NHTSA) · 5
These are NHTSA campaigns for 1997 Lotus Esprit vehicles sold in the United States. They are not Canadian recalls: NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data, and a US campaign may have no Canadian counterpart, or one under a different number covering different vehicles. For a vehicle sold in Canada, go by the Transport Canada listing above and Lotus's Canadian VIN lookup.
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.
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.
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.
04V001000 · 660 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: MODEL YEAR 1997 THROUGH 2001 LOTUS ESPRIT VEHICLES BUILT BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 1995, AND MARCH 31, 2001. A REPLACEMENT PASSENGER SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY COULD HAVE BEEN INSTALLED IN CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT DO NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." THESE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT A LAP PORTION THAT IS LOCKABLE SO AS TO SECURE A CHILD SAFETY SEAT.
IF AN INCORRECT BELT WAS INSTALLED, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BE CAPABLE OF SECURING A CHILD SEAT, WHICH COULD RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT.
CUSTOMERS ARE BEING INSTRUCTED TO BRING THEIR CARS INTO THEIR LOCAL DEALER FOR A FREE REPLACEMENT BELT ASSEMBLY. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 26, 2001. 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 CARS USA AT 1-800-245-6887.
01E016000 · 520 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED FOR HARDNESS. THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK.
THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
98V135000 · 160 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. CERTAIN WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY HEAT TREATED FOR HARDNESS. THE REAR WHEELS COULD CRACK AND BREAK.
IF THE REAR WHEELS CRACKED AND BROKE, LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL COULD OCCUR, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
97V202000 · 11 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
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."
THE VEHICLE OCCUPANT MAY NOT PROPERLY UNDERSTAND THE OPERATION OF THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE NEED TO USE SEAT BELTS.
OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. IF THEY SO DESIRE, THEY CAN HAVE THEIR DEALERS INSTALL THESE LABELS FOR THEM.
96V244000 · 240 units in campaign · NHTSA
Applies only if the manufacturer confirms your VIN · repair by an authorised dealer
1997 Lotus Esprit recall questions
Transport Canada lists 8 recalls for the 1997 Lotus Esprit model year. That counts campaigns naming this model year, not recalls on your vehicle: many cover only a VIN range or production window, and some only vehicles found on inspection. NHTSA lists 5 United States campaigns for the US-market model, shown separately; a US campaign may have no Canadian equivalent.
Enter your VIN in Lotus's Canadian recall lookup, or call a Lotus dealer with your VIN. In Canada the manufacturer is responsible for showing recall and repair status for each VIN, so its lookup is the authoritative answer. Cardog uses your VIN only to find the model year; the recalls shown here are listed for that model year and are not matched to your VIN.
Not necessarily. NHTSA campaigns cover vehicles sold in the United States, and NHTSA's VIN lookup has no Canadian data. When a defect also affects Canadian vehicles, the manufacturer files a separate notice with Transport Canada, often under a different number and sometimes covering a different set of vehicles. For a Canadian vehicle, go by the Transport Canada listing and Lotus's Canadian lookup.
Safety recall repairs are normally done at no charge by an authorised Lotus dealer. The manufacturer's notice for each campaign sets out the remedy and any conditions, so confirm with the dealer when you book.
Once Lotus's lookup or a dealer confirms a recall applies, book the repair with an authorised Lotus dealer and bring your VIN. If the manufacturer's notice says not to drive the vehicle or to park it outside, follow that instruction. Parts can take time, so book early.
Follow the manufacturer's notice for that recall. Most allow normal driving until the repair; some tell owners to stop driving or to park outside until it is fixed. Cardog does not grade recalls by severity: the manufacturer's notice and your dealer are the source.
Manufacturers must notify owners they have on record. If you bought the vehicle used or have moved, update your details with Lotus Canada so notices reach you, and check the manufacturer's lookup from time to time.
Related recall checks
Compare recall listings with alternatives to the 1997 Lotus Esprit.