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We should report the oil line failures to NHTSA

31K views 127 replies 66 participants last post by  ChrisH 
#1 ·
A couple weeks ago I had my passenger side rear oil line fitting blow out while driving. It soaked the rear tire and sprayed oil everywhere. When I started to look into this on Lotustalk, it became clear that this is a pretty common problem and is clearly a defect in the manufacturing or design of the car. I believe that this is also a safety hazard in that it could cause an engine fire or loss of traction or brake performance.

I think it would be a good idea for all owners that have had this failure to report these incidents to the NHTSA website. It just takes a couple minutes and it may force Lotus to be responsible for this obvious and unsafe defect.

Here is the website Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Bryan
 
#4 ·
I haven't had, and I hope I never have, the oil line failure. Most I have seen reported are the crimps at the coolers up front. Was your failure a crimped connection? I know of the U-joint jerry-rigged above the oil filter, but I haven't heard of the crimping failing at the rear junction, not that I doubt it.
 
#6 ·
Is there any way you can post a pic of where it failed? I wonder if it is something we could look for, like the cooling u-tube wearing, or the toe link, or the poor ac, or the...

Sorry it happened, I'm sure the tire and road wasn't the only thing that was covered in brown.
 
#7 ·
Apparently this happened to my first car after I sold it to the guy (in Cody, WY). He is not on the forums but since I communicated with him after the sale he said it was a real pain trying to find someone that could (or would) fix it properly.

Is this a problem with 05s only?
 
#9 ·
FWIW

when mine blew on a 05, Lotus replaced the engine.........the car had 13k when it went and it was under warranty at the time
 
#10 ·
Just filed a complaint with NHTSA...took about 5 minutes. Had 2 oil line failures on 2 separate occasions. Last one almost caused me to skid off the highway at 75mph.... and the engine was ruined.
 
#11 ·
I have a late '07 Elise and my blew out on the passenger side about a month ago. What an expensive mess.

- z
 
#12 ·
my friend's 07 exige s also blew a line while we parted ways a few months back. Luckily, it happened right as he got on the freeway and pulled over immediately. Dealer was like 10min away and engine was not damaged.
 
#13 ·
Whats the proper preventative maintenance for this? Do we have to remove the front clams?
 
#14 ·
Go with a MoCal oil/water cooler and do away with the entire front oil cooler setup. Lotus Sport sell the oil/water cooler or you can contact these folks Bat Inc. They have everything you need including new sandwich plate.

Stock Lotus has 27 feet of oil cooler lines (yes I did measure the ones I removed, huge weight savings also).
 
#19 ·
Driver's Side Oil Cooler Line

My 2005 failure was in 2005--apparently the hose or connection failed at the oil cooler. Fortunately I was going slowly and only two minutes from being able to park it. No engine damage, oil everywhere, a mess. Lotus fixed in under warrantee.

The dealer (Westlake CA.) had never seen this type of failure.

I never reported it.
 
#23 ·
My 2005 failure was in 2005--apparently the hose or connection failed at the oil cooler. Fortunately I was going slowly and only two minutes from being able to park it. No engine damage, oil everywhere, a mess. Lotus fixed in under warrantee.

The dealer (Westlake CA.) had never seen this type of failure.

I never reported it.
I believe you can still report it. All that you need is a VIN and an approximate date. The more reports NHTSA gets the more likely they will initiate an investigation and recall. It only takes a couple minutes.

Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
 
#20 · (Edited)
Should we standardized a draft among LotusTalk members so that we are all on the same page in what to write in the complaint?

Although I want to file a complaint, luckily *knock on wood* this has yet to happen on my car. Can I still file?
 
#24 ·
Can you tell if the lines are close to failure by inspecting them? I've looked mine over a few time and don't see any sign of leakage swelling etc, but now you guys have me worried. They've lasted 46K miles so far...
 
#26 ·
I dread the day I have this failure especially on track because more than likely it will be a very painful and expensive repair. I am out of warranty but this is potentially a serious failure. I hope every owner sees this and takes it seriously.
 
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