Lotus bulletin 131-26020
What it saysPeriodic inspection of HVAC water shield covering. NHTSA’s full summary ↓
Lotus filed this with NHTSA as a service bulletin dated Sep 6, 2026, received Oct 7, 2026. It names 5 model years (2023–2027). 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 communicationPeriodic inspection of HVAC water shield covering. It has been reported that the water shield covering (intended to protect the air conditioning/heater resistor module from water contamination) can develop cracks and tears in its material. Cracks and tears can appear where the covering is stretched or has tight folds and can be caused by factors such as age, climate and heat cycling conditions. If certain areas of the water shield become cracked and torn, then this can allow water ingress into the air conditioning sensor and resistor module, resulting in their failure. ACTION It is recommended to visually inspect the condition of the water shield cover during routine servicing (or if the front access panel is raised for any reason). All Emira service schedule sheets will be updated in the near future to include this as an annual inspection (or by mileage) to coincide with either a brake fluid check or replacement. Inspect the cover for perforations or tears (taking special attention in areas where the cover is stretched or has tight folds). Surface cracking of the water material are acceptable, but if perforations or tears are found, then the water shield should be replaced. For water shield covering removal and refitment information, refer to the procedures for all models shown in Technical Service Bulletin TSB-131-24007.
Document filed under this number
| Document | Kind | Dated | NHTSA id | At NHTSA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 131-26020 | Service bulletin | Sep 6, 2026 | 11038272 | PDF, 461 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 4 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 131-26020 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 131-26020 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 131-26020 cover?
The manufacturer filed it against 5 model years: 2027 Lotus Emira, 2026 Lotus Emira, 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.