Hearth Record

Air bags (Lotus and Seat Belt Assembly)

Vehicle equipment recall 01E-016. NHTSA received LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC’s report on Apr 18, 2001.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC’s report on Apr 18, 2001. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 20, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

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.

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.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Air bags.

What should you do?

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.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 520 items potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Lotus EspritNHTSA gives no dates made
  • Seat Belt Assembly Seat Belt AssemblyNHTSA gives no dates made

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Which ones, by part or lot: the recall’s report on NHTSA’s site gives them where the maker did; this file gives part numbers only where its maker listed them.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 20, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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