Lotus bulletin 131-25021
What it saysBrake pad to rotor stiction damage caused by incorrect vehicle storage maintenance. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Lotus filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Nov 20, 2025, received Dec 10, 2025, about the service brakes. It names 3 model years (2023–2025). A service bulletin is not a safety recall: it is the manufacturer telling its dealers how to diagnose or repair a condition, and whether the work is paid for depends on the warranty in force. Quoting the number at a service desk can save a diagnosis.
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What the bulletin says
Source: NHTSA's summary of the manufacturer's communicationBrake pad to rotor stiction damage caused by incorrect vehicle storage maintenance. REASON - Prolonged contact between brake pads and rotors (discs) can result in them sticking to each other (also referred to as brake stiction). This could result in the brake pad material pulling away from its backing plate when the vehicle is eventually moved. Brake stiction occurs when the vehicle remains stationary for extended time periods and can also be exacerbated by: - Long term storage in a moist environment. - The presence of chemical contaminates (such as those found in some cleaning products). - Salt contaminated moisture in coastal regions. Background - Brake stiction is a known issue for sports cars such as the Emira. This is caused by several factors such as the specific chemical composition of the brake pad/rotor material as well as the brake pad, caliper and rotor geometry set up required to achieve the desired braking performance characteristics expected from a sports car. The Lotus Emira was designed and developed as a high-performance sports car and the engineering selection of a mixed metal pad material, the dimensions, and other specifications were tested and approved by the attributes team as well as tested to meet the stringent vehicle homologation targets across the regions, and durability requirements. ACTION - Due to a small number of complaints where brake pad separation has occurred caused by stiction on very low mileage cars, Lotus wishes to confirm to their importers and retail partners the importance of following the vehicle stock maintenance guidelines. Also refer to the ‘Dynamic’ section in long term storage check list attached to the end of this bulletin. As well as to stress that after any cleaning the vehicle it should be driven to dry the brakes, and vehicles should not be exposed to prolonged high humidity or stored in wet areas. To ensure ongoing enjoyment of the product, a specific recommendation was included in the customer handbook under the vehicle maintenance and care section: “NOTE: To prevent binding between the brake pads and discs as well as avoiding any potential corrosion, it is recommended to drive the vehicle for a short distance immediately after washing”.
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131-25021 | Service bulletin | Nov 20, 2025 | 11026524 | PDF, 325 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 themAlso filed against model years this site has no page for: 2023 Lotus Emira.
A 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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What owners reported
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners of the 2 model years this bulletin names have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA since 2015.
A complaint is one owner’s account, not a defect finding, and a bulletin is not a recall. Nothing here says this bulletin was issued because of these complaints, or that the repair it describes fixed them. Complaint files on this site begin in 2015.
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 131-25021 a recall?
No. A service bulletin 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 131-25021 repair free?
Not automatically. A service bulletin describes how to diagnose or repair a condition; who pays depends on the warranty in force, any extension, and the dealer. Quoting the number can save a diagnosis either way.
Which vehicles does 131-25021 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 3 model years: 2025 Lotus Emira, 2024 Lotus Emira, 2023 Lotus Emira. Whether one particular vehicle is affected is a matter of its VIN and its build, not its model year alone.