- 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
1998 Lotus Esprit Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 1998 Lotus Esprit with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1). It is covered by 3 recalls, the latest in January 2004 for the labels. For comparison, the 1997 has 0 and the 1999 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Esprit year, for its age
#368 most complained-about 1998 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1998 Lotus Esprit problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1998 Lotus Esprit recalls 3
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.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 1998 Lotus Esprit
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
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Lotus Esprit: every year compared
All Esprit yearsQuestions about the 1998 Lotus Esprit
Does the 1998 Lotus Esprit have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 1998 Lotus Esprit: labels (January 2004); air bags (April 2001); rim (June 1998). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Lotus Esprit?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 1998 Lotus Esprit had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 1, 1999 and the latest on February 1, 1999. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1998 Lotus Esprit a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: 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 1998 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