Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 1 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Exterior Lighting. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
Mileage unknown · Sep 8, 2006
Exterior Lighting
THIS WAS AFTER ONLY ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP... I NOTICED AFTER A DETAIL ON MY CAR THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAD SOME SCRATCHES ON IT. LOTUS ALREADY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR HEADLIGHT LENS CAUSING BURN MARKS ON THE BLACK INTERIOR BLACK HOUSING BECAUSE OF SUNLIGHT REFLECTING OFF AND BURNING THE HOUSING. LOTUS DID NOT DO A …
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THIS WAS AFTER ONLY ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS OF OWNERSHIP... I NOTICED AFTER A DETAIL ON MY CAR THAT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING HAD SOME SCRATCHES ON IT. LOTUS ALREADY HAD A PROBLEM WITH THEIR HEADLIGHT LENS CAUSING BURN MARKS ON THE BLACK INTERIOR BLACK HOUSING BECAUSE OF SUNLIGHT REFLECTING OFF AND BURNING THE HOUSING. LOTUS DID NOT DO A RECALL, BUT ADDED A FIX CALLED THE EMBELLISHER RING THAT BASICALLY JUST COVERS THE BURNED GOUGES A LITTLE IF IT WASN'T TOO BAD AND PREVENTS THE SUNLIGHT TO REFLECT AS MUCH. I HAVE DONE MY OWN INVESTIGATION AND KNOW OF AT LEAST 37 CASES NOT INCLUDED EVERY SINGLE NEW CAR ON THE LOCAL LOTUS DEALERSHIPS LOT INCLUDING ELISE/EXIZES. THE SCRATCHES WERE UNIQUE TO EACH CAR. I HAVE PICTURES OF MY CAR AND EVERY CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP, BRAND NEW WITH THIS FACTORY DEFECT. DEALERSHIP, AFTER BEING DENIED BY LOTUS TO REPLACE THEM, OFFERED TO SWITCH MINE OUT WITH ANOTHER CAR ON THE LOT. THIS IS HOW I ENDED UP FINDING THE OTHER CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. EVEN AN EXIZE STRAIGHT OFF THE DELIVERY TRUCK. I CONTACTED LOTUS MYSELF AND THEY CALLED ME BACK. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE HEADLIGHTS, WELL, THEIR REASONING WAS... THEY'RE JUST NOT THAT GOOD OF QUALITY... WHAT THE HECK IS THAT? SO I HAVE BEEN DENIED REPLACEMENT HEADLIGHTS THAT DON'T HAVE COSMETIC DEFECTS FROM THE FACTORY, AND I FEEL SORRY FOR ALL THE FUTURE OWNERS OF THE CARS ON THAT DEALERSHIPS LOT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167681
960 miles · Sep 8, 2006
Suspension
I OWN A 2006 LOTUS EXIZE AND ITS REAR TIRES TOTALLY WORN (INSIDE STEEL BELTS WERE SEEN) AT ITS 960 MILES OF LIFE FROM ITS BRAND NEW DELIVERY. IT IS REALLY UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. LOTUS DEALER CHECKED ITS ALIGNMENT AND IT WAS WAY OFF (TOO MUCH TOE-IN) FROM ITS SPECIFIED SETTING (1.5-2.0MM SPEC VS 25.7MM AND 23.0MM A…
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I OWN A 2006 LOTUS EXIZE AND ITS REAR TIRES TOTALLY WORN (INSIDE STEEL BELTS WERE SEEN) AT ITS 960 MILES OF LIFE FROM ITS BRAND NEW DELIVERY. IT IS REALLY UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR SUCH A LOW MILEAGE. LOTUS DEALER CHECKED ITS ALIGNMENT AND IT WAS WAY OFF (TOO MUCH TOE-IN) FROM ITS SPECIFIED SETTING (1.5-2.0MM SPEC VS 25.7MM AND 23.0MM ACTUAL). LOTUS CAR JUST PAID FOR THE ALIGNMENT BUT THEY DIDN'T COVER WASTED REAR TIRES AND TOWING FEES UNDER WARRANTY. IF THE TIRES BURST OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING HIGHWAY, IT IS VERY DANGEROUS IT CAN KILL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS. I HEARD THERE ARE AT LEAST 4 EXIZE OWNERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10167672
Official recalls
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No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
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No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2006 Lotus Exize Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year