Does the 1997 Lotus Esprit have any recalls?

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, air bags, wheels. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.

How do I check if my 1997 Lotus Esprit recall has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Lotus dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Lotus Esprit?

0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.

1997 Lotus Esprit recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1997 Lotus Esprit. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Lotus been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

Check your VIN with NHTSA

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Lotus dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1997 Lotus Esprit recalls, newest first

January 5, 2004NHTSA 04V001000660 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment › Other › Labels

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 18, 2001NHTSA 01E016000520 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags

Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed

Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

June 22, 1998NHTSA 98V135000160 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels › Rim

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 19, 1997NHTSA 97V20200011 vehicles potentially affected

Wheels › Rim

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 5, 1996NHTSA 96V244000240 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags

Summary: 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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

No owner complaints about the 1997 Lotus Esprit were found in NHTSA’s complaint data.

Other Lotus Esprit years

Most recalled 1997 vehicles

1997 Ford F-150 (25 recalls)
1997 Honda Civic (16 recalls)
1997 Honda Accord (15 recalls)
1997 Dodge Caravan (14 recalls)
1997 Chevrolet Cavalier (13 recalls)

All of 1997’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1997 Lotus Esprit have any recalls?: 5 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: equipment, air bags, wheels. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1997 Lotus Esprit recall has been fixed?: Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Lotus dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1997 Lotus Esprit?: 0 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.