Lotus bulletin 131-25003R
What it saysVDDM (Vehicle Dynamics Domain Module) software update to ensure CARB compliance. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Lotus filed this with NHTSA as an emissions communication dated Nov 20, 2025, received Jan 6, 2026, about the power train. It names 1 model year (2026). An emissions communication is not a safety recall — there is no NHTSA campaign number and no federal requirement — but it is usually work the manufacturer pays for on the vehicles it names; the dealer checks the VIN against the manufacturer’s list.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationVDDM (Vehicle Dynamics Domain Module) software update to ensure CARB compliance. REASON To meet CARB (California Air Resources Board) regulations, the latest level VDDM software must be installed into all affected vehicles so that multiple DTC’s (Diagnostic Trouble Codes) are generated in the event of a circuit or sensor fault affecting the ambient air temperature sensor. The VDDM software update is subject to a campaign action. ACTION - This is a market service activity to stop delivery of pre-sold vehicles. Please do not release any affected vehicles until the software update is performed. - IMPORTANT: The VIN’s affected by this recall action are for Federal 2026 model year 4-cylinder vehicles which, at the time of this bulletin release, are still scheduled for production. Once these vehicles arrive at the Dealerships, they should be checked for this and any other software updates during the PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) process. Federal law requires that any vehicles in dealer inventory are rectified (updating to the latest level VDDM software), before retail delivery. - Note: Because at the time of bulletin release, the specific VIN’s affected by the VDDM software update cannot be identified, ensure to check the model year of 4-cylinder Emira vehicles at the time of PDI to confirm if it is a 2026 model year (these can be identified from the 10th digit of their VIN which has the letter ‘T’).
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131-25003R | Emissions | Nov 20, 2025 | 11027091 | PDF, 243 KB |
The summary is NHTSA’s abstract of the document, as filed under 49 CFR 579.5. One communication is usually filed as several documents — the bulletin, a dealer notice, an owner letter — and the number on any of them finds this page. A PDF link is shown only once NHTSA’s own server has been seen to serve that document; the rest are checked over the following nights. Quote the number at a service desk; it is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Model years it names
Source: as the manufacturer filed themA vehicle page’s bulletin list shows the newest few communications filed against that model year; the count there is every one.
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A weekly email, sent only in a week when Lotus files something new with NHTSA for the model you pick — service bulletins, campaigns, warranty extensions, over-the-air notices, every model year. Nothing else is sent; one-click unsubscribe in every message. Separate from recall alerts.
More bulletins about the power train
Source: same model, same component group6 other manufacturer communications filed against the Lotus Emira under the same component group (power train), newest first.
| Number | Kind | Dated | NHTSA’s summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 131-26021 | Service bulletin | Sep 14, 2026 | Installation of the latest combined CPC (Controller Central Powertrain) and TCU (Transmission Control Unit) software for Emira 4-cylinder ve… |
| 131-25019 | Service bulletin | Nov 3, 2025 | Updating the TCM (Transmission Control Module) to the latest level software. REASON - A new TCM SW update is available on EmiraDS to resolve… |
| 131-25015 | Service bulletin | Jul 27, 2025 | New VBF headers and Bootloader SW available for the TCU (Transmission Control Unit). The new VBF headers and Bootloader software will allow… |
| 131-25003 | Service bulletin | Mar 12, 2025 | Generation of P0507 DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) when selecting ‘Sport’ or ‘Track’ mode. For Emira 4-cylinder 2024/2025 model year vehicles… |
| TSB-131-24030 | Service bulletin | Oct 28, 2024 | Inspection of transmission driveshaft fitment/security if specific faults are reported. Lotus has received reports from the dealer network o… |
| TSB-131-24024 | Service bulletin | Aug 29, 2024 | Important information for a temporary recovery procedure for the Central Powertrain Controller (CPC Module). Updated software was recently r… |
Quote the number at the service desk. It is what the dealer’s system is keyed on.
Every manufacturer communication NHTSA holds for Lotus, by the number printed on the letter.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA, 49 CFR 579.5Is Lotus 131-25003R a recall?
No. A emissions communication is a manufacturer communication filed with NHTSA under 49 CFR 579.5; a safety recall carries an NHTSA campaign number (two digits, a letter, six digits) and a federal duty to repair for free. Check the vehicle’s recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or on its page here.
Is the 131-25003R repair free?
A emissions communication is usually paid by the manufacturer on the vehicles it names, within the terms and time limit the document sets; the dealer checks the VIN against the manufacturer’s list.
Which vehicles does 131-25003R cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 1 model year: 2026 Lotus Emira. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.