Poll for Those with Paint Blistering / Bubbling Defect

[AlienPie]

For those folks that are long term Emira owners (2-3+ years), how’s your paint doing? Any bubbling?

‘23 Emira, which i bought in May ‘24. I had bubbling on my doors which were replaced in December ‘24. They’ve now found bubbling around the wing mirrors, so two new doors need to go on. My warranty expires in March, so I’m very lucky they spotted it.

That aside, other than an issue with the power steering pump, it’s been rock solid.

 

[GrahamClark_60-68]

‘23 Emira, which i bought in May ‘24. I had bubbling on my doors which were replaced in December ‘24. They’ve now found bubbling around the wing mirrors, so two new doors need to go on. My warranty expires in March, so I’m very lucky they spotted it.

That aside, other than an issue with the power steering pump, it’s been rock solid.

Not sure "lucky" would be the sentiment I'd be feeling if I were in your position. 3rd set of doors in under 2 years of ownership, and now with the warranty expiration looming. I'd be wondering and concerned about the next time it happens, likely AFTER the warranty expiration. Seems they still don't have a handle on this.

 

[AlienPie]

Not sure "lucky" would be the sentiment I'd be feeling if I were in your position. 3rd set of doors in under 2 years of ownership, and now with the warranty expiration looming. I'd be wondering and concerned about the next time it happens, likely AFTER the warranty expiration. Seems they still don't have a handle on this.

To be fair the dealer flagged it, I’d not noticed it during washing. But yes I take the point. Apparently the replacement doors have changed again, and are now meant to fully solve the problem.

To be honest, I massively enjoy the car. Easily the most fun and engaging driving experience I’ve had. The warranty has been honoured for any issues, and while it’s a bit of an inconvenience, I still wouldn’t want to be driving anything else.

However, slightly telling that Lotus refuse to offer an extended warranty..

 

[Briggo]

Similar position for me. Both doors replaced last year and now have paint crazing on top of drivers door. Reported and awaiting warrantly decision. My warrantly runs out in April so concerned about any future issues beyond expiry of warranty. Despite all that, I still love the car!

 

[JonFuller]

I'm almost at 3 years and all fine.

Does your car see bad weather? ie, is garaged, and do you use in the wet?

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Does your car see bad weather? ie, is garaged, and do you use in the wet?

Garaged and rarely sees bad weather; I drive something else if it's raining. Also, in Sydney we don't get very cold weather, which may be a factor.

 

[Beachbum]

Mines 2yrs old next month, I have had it 18 months, no issues yet, keeping fingers, toes, legs crossed
Garaged overnight, in the elements during the day, used most days, in all weathers

 

[Briggo]

Similar position for me. Both doors replaced last year and now have paint crazing on top of drivers door. Reported and awaiting warrantly decision. My warrantly runs out in April so concerned about any future issues beyond expiry of warranty. Despite all that, I still love the car!

Mine is a 2023 V6 FE and is driven daily including wet conditions. It is not always garaged.

 

[SimonT]

Manufactured late '22, registered Jan' 23. Both doors and tailgate replaced '25, not spotted any problems since. Now out of warranty but if I spot problems I'll be looking at Lotus and their' 5yr paint warranty' to sort out, small claims court if they refuse.

 

[JonFuller]

Garaged and rarely sees bad weather; I drive something else if it's raining. Also, in Sydney we don't get very cold weather, which may be a factor.

Same here. It got wet once on the way home from Hethel factory collection, and once coming up through France last summer, other than that, it never sees rain.
2.5 years old now, 11k miles. zero paint issues.

PS. I fully accept that I'm a car tart.
PPS. Manufactured August 2023, collected from Hethel Sept 1st 2023

 

[AlienPie]

Same here. It got wet once on the way home from Hethel factory collection, and once coming up through France last summer, other than that, it never sees rain.
2.5 years old now, 11k miles. zero paint issues.

PS. I fully accept that I'm a tart.
PPS. manufactured August 2023, collected Sept 1st 2023

Off topic but how was driving it on the right? I plan to take mine to Geneva (where I'm living currently) once the doors are back on and painted.

 

[SimonT]

Well, I spoke too soon. Just looked at the doors and have a bloody bubble the size of a 50p on the passenger door. Both doors replaced last year, almost 12 months.

I've emailed the dealers to see exactly when they were replaced, I'm out of Lotus warranty but I'm hoping the honour either the 5yr paint warranty or the 12 months on original parts fitted. They reduced the paint warranty to 3 yrs, but it isn't actually the paint that's the problem, its the panels and they're covered by an 8yr 'corrosion' warranty. Corrosion doesn't just happen to metals.

I'll start a separate thread to record the fight.

 

[geoffbland]

To be fair the dealer flagged it, I’d not noticed it during washing. But yes I take the point. Apparently the replacement doors have changed again, and are now meant to fully solve the problem.

Not according to the paintshops I have spoken to, unless this is something brand new. They are having to replace doors that they had already replaced recently.

 

[mikeee]

I’ve had my driver door replaced and now have it booked in for a fender.

Was at Lotus today and asked them about this 3 yr versus 5 yr thing.

Mine is a 73 plate so should be covered for 5 as far as I understand?

They said it hasn’t quite been tested / established yet as now is the time people will be coming out of the 3 years….but in theory it was certainly 5 yrs for those early cars.

It was also implied (not officially of course) that Lotus may honour out of warranty claims out of good will….however that would be a considerable financial risk I would say. The limit of opening that up would be without ceiling and very costly so we shall see…..

Tbh my Emira has been fabulous (and reliable) and I’m not going to get too upset about a few blisters in the future. Let’s be honest; we see them when we’re up close with our pride and joy in the garage but are they much worse than the inevitable curbing and stone chip that will always be there after a few years…..

 

[JonFuller]

Off topic but how was driving it on the right? I plan to take mine to Geneva (where I'm living currently) once the doors are back on and painted.

I've done a couple of Euro trips in the Emira, in '24, and '25.
In 2024 I did London to Calais. on to Davos, onto the Stelvio pass, onto Venice, onto Cortina, onto Alpach, up to Baden Baden, and home. (over about 9 days & 2500 miles)

In 2025 I did London to Calais, onto Valence, onto Monaco, onto Rapallo, onto Pisa, onto Rome, onto Pompeii, up to Bologna, up to the Great St Bernard Pass (Italian Job film location), up to Martigny, across to Geneva, and home via Calais. (over about 10 days & 3000 miles)

Car is a great GT car, happy to munch up the miles. Gets interest everywhere it goes.

My only complaint is, the Autoroute toll booths (telepass) mess with the carplay connection, very annoying.

1-Stelvio @ dawn - Italy
2-Bologna Lamborghini museum - Italy
3-Davos - Switzerland
4-Stelvio again - Italy
5&6-Cortina - Italy
7-Alpbach - Austrian Tyrol
8&9-Monte Carlo - Monaco
10 Cortina - Italy.

So, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Monaco.

 

[Nick in Sydney]

Well, I spoke too soon. Just looked at the doors and have a bloody bubble the size of a 50p on the passenger door.

Will be interested to hear if it turns out to be the usual blistering or a different issue. That's such a big bubble that it could have been poor prep work when the doors were painted last year.

 

[Beachbum]

If thats the same door as you had already replaced, then as per my comment in the thread you started separately about this, then you have quite an east time here. You can just tell Lotus that the original fault was not fixed, as they repaired the fault with the same defective parts that caused the original fault to occur i.e. The original fault was not fixed and that was well within warranty

 

[geoffbland]

In 2024 I did London to Calais. on to Davos, onto the Stelvio pass, onto Venice, onto Cortina, onto Alpach, up to Baden Baden, and home. (over about 9 days & 2500 miles)

We did a similar trip in '25 but in the reverse order. It was amazing - both the trip and the car.

 

[AlienPie]

I've done a couple of Euro trips in the Emira, in '24, and '25.
In 2024 I did London to Calais. on to Davos, onto the Stelvio pass, onto Venice, onto Cortina, onto Alpach, up to Baden Baden, and home. (over about 9 days & 2500 miles)

In 2025 I did London to Calais, onto Valence, onto Monaco, onto Rapallo, onto Pisa, onto Rome, onto Pompeii, up to Bologna, up to the Great St Bernard Pass (Italian Job film location), up to Martigny, across to Geneva, and home via Calais. (over about 10 days & 3000 miles)

Car is a great GT car, happy to munch up the miles. Gets interest everywhere it goes.

My only complaint is, the Autoroute toll booths (telepass) mess with the carplay connection, very annoying.

1-Stelvio @ dawn - Italy
2-Bologna Lamborghini museum - Italy
3-Davos - Switzerland
4-Stelvio again - Italy
5&6-Cortina - Italy
7-Alpbach - Austrian Tyrol
8&9-Monte Carlo - Monaco
10 Cortina - Italy.

So, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Monaco.

Oh man amazing pictures! I’d very much like to take a few similar trips in it while I’m here.

Also I noticed that tool booth thing driving from Belfast to Cork. Really annoying, but at least it eventually fixes itself.

 

[AlienPie]

Not according to the paintshops I have spoken to, unless this is something brand new. They are having to replace doors that they had already replaced recently.

Appreciate this! It’s what the dealer told me (they’re usually good) but maybe they’re trying to stretch the truth a bit. I do recall the original replacement doors were meant to be made from a different material precisely to stop this issue.