Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (Lotus)
Vehicle recall 78V-238. NHTSA received LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC’s report on Oct 24, 1978.
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The short answer
NHTSA received LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC’s report on Oct 24, 1978. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
The notice gives no hazard in a field of its own.
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A TUBE WHICH IS USED TO CONNECT A FILTER COMPONENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM.
THIS TUBE COULD BECOME DAMAGED AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO ABNORMALLY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES AND THE ACTION OF CERTAIN FUELS.
THE DAMAGED TUBE COULD ALLOW FUEL LEAKAGE TO OCCUR.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings.
What should you do?
DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE FUEL SYSTEM TUBING WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: FUEL; LINES, TUBES.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IF FUEL LEAKAGE OCCURS AND AN IGNITION SOURCE ISPRESENT, A VEHICLE FIRE AND SERIOUS INJURIES TO VEHICLE OCCUPANTS MAY RESULT.NOTE: SHOULD FUEL LEAKAGE OCCUR PRIOR TO REPAIRS, THE ENGINE SHOULD BE SWITCHEDOFF IMMEDIATELY.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 146 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
- Lotus Espritand 1978 and 1979, before the model years listed here
Who is recalling it?
- Made by LOTUS CARS OF AMERICA INC.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
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National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file before 2010 (FLAT_RCL_PRE_2010).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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 28, 2026.