NHTSA Investigates Lotus Elise

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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