- The problem
- 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 risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1997 Lotus Esprit Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 1997 Lotus Esprit have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in January 2004 for the labels.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Esprit year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
1997 Lotus Esprit recalls 5
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain wheels were not properly heat treated for hardness. The rear wheels could crack and break.
- The risk
- The rear wheels could crack and break, resulting in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Certain wheels were not properly heat treated for hardness. The rear wheels could crack and break.
- The risk
- If the rear wheels cracked and broke, loss of vehicle control could occur, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE WHEELS.
- The problem
- 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 risk
- The vehicle occupant may not properly understand the operation of the air bag system and the need to use seat belts.
- The fix
- Owners will be provided with labels and installation instructions. If they so desire, they can have their dealers install these labels for them.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 1997 Lotus Esprit yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Lotus Esprit: every year compared
All Esprit yearsQuestions about the 1997 Lotus Esprit
Does the 1997 Lotus Esprit have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 1997 Lotus Esprit: labels (January 2004); air bags (April 2001); rim (June 1998); rim (November 1997) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 1997 Lotus Esprit had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 1997 Lotus Esprit a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 20 out of 100 (grade F: far more problems than a typical Lotus Esprit year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Lotus Esprit years have the most complaints?
1987 (1), 1995 (1), 1998 (1). See every Lotus Esprit year compared.
What should I do if my 1997 Lotus Esprit has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data