Daewoo Lanos Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Daewoo Lanos options? We analyzed 3 model years (2000–2002) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Daewoo Lanos has 369 owner complaints and 15 safety recalls across model years 2000–2002. The most reported issue area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. 2000 drew the most complaints; 2002 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Daewoo
- Model
- Lanos
- Model years analyzed
- 2000–2002 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 369
- Safety recall campaigns
- 15
- Crash-related complaints
- 16
- Fire-related complaints
- 6
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2000 (209 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2002 (30 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Daewoo Lanos: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe DAEWOO LANOS has 369 NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. 16 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 369 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 15 federal recall campaigns
- 16 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Sep 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
15 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2000–2002. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 369 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
369 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
SOMETHING WRONG I CAN FEEL IT. *JS
DECEMBER 2007 TOOK, CAR TO SEARS TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED. TECHNICIAN CHECKED CAR INFORMED ME INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING (EVAPORATING ANTI-FREEZE) THAT IS WHY I DIDN'T SEE IT LEAKING. TOLD ME TO HAVE FIX. 12/21/2007, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REACHING ITS HIGH POINT. SHUT IT DOWN WALKED CAR X AND ASKED TO PURCHASE ANTIFREEZE. TECH. SAID BET I CAN TELL YOU WHAT CAR IT IS A CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. ASKED HIM HOW DID HE KNOW? HE SAID GET THEM ALL THE TIME. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FROM GM BUT COULDN'T FIND IT. CONTACTED GM 1/7/2008, REP. INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SHE TOLD ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO DEALER, GIVE THEM REFERENCE NUMBER 03034. DROPPED CAR OFF 1/8/2008, JOSEPH CHEVROLET GAVE INFORMATION REP. TOLD ME TO GIVE. 1/9/2008, I RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER ABOUT 7:05 A.M. HE SAID, "HE TRIED CONTACTING GM LINE WAS BUSY AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO SIT ON PHONE WITH THEM ALL DAY AND I NEED TO CALL THEM". I CALLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HUNG UP FROM TALKING TO DEALER I EXPLAINED INFORMATION TO REP. I ALSO GAVE HER VIN NUMBER SHE TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND THAT THEY SHOULD GO AHEAD AND FIX IT. DURING CONVERSATION WITH HER I WAS AT WORK AND WAS USING MY WORK PHONE WHILE HAD HER ON (WORK) PHONE CALLED DEALER ON CELL PHONE AND WAS TALKING TO BOTH OF THEM. INFORMED DEALER WHAT SHE WAS TELLING ME. TOLD HIM HER NAME AND HE SAID OKAY. HE CALLED HER AND THEN HE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THE PERSON I SPOKE TO COULDN'T AUTHORIZE MY CAR BEING FIXED. I CALLED GM BACK LATER ON THAT AFTERNOON AND A RESULT, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A MISTAKE ALONG WITH SOME OTHER THINGS. BUT I TOLD THEM I GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER. I WAS ALLEGEDLY PUT ON THE PHONE WITH A MANAGER AND HE SAID HE LISTENED TO MY CALLS AND ALTHOUGH THEY MEANING BOTH OF THE REPS. I SPOKE TO ON 1/7/2008 AND 1/9/2008, ALTHOUGH THEY TOLD ME THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR THE FACT IS THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FIX IT BECAUSE IT WAS A MISTAKE. *TR
SATURN VUE 2002 V6 SATURN OF TREAVOSE DEALERSHIP STATED VEHICLE COOLANT PUMP LEAKING AND HEATER HOSE LEAKING MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO TIMING CHAIN IF NOT REPAIRED. IT WAS REPAIRED AT MILLEVOI'S TIRE & SERVICE CENTER 215-673-2222 ON 5-3-2007 FOR $660. MILLEOVI'S STATED THIS MAY BE RECALL IN THE FUTURE DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF CARS WITH COOLANT REPAIR KITS REQUIRED. THEY WORKED ON AND SPOKE WITH SATURN OF TREAVOSE AT 215-364-3980 WITH SIMILAR 54,000 MILES. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER FOR THE 2002 DAEWOO LANOS ON 05/2006. BUT BECAME DRASTICALLY ILL FROM A HEART ATTACK AND COULDN'T HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE IMMEDIATELY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO STEVE'S REPAIR IN IDAHO FALLS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS IN FEBRUARY 2007. SHE CONTACT ED DAEWOO AT 877-362-1234, AND THEY ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANY REPAIR SHOP FOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NO DAEWOO DEALERSHIP. SHE WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE WITH RECALL LETTER TO THE REPAIR SHOP, THEY INFORMED HER THAT SHE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT DAEWOO INFORMED HIM THAT SHE HAD TO PAY AND THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HER. AS OF 3-9-07 SHE HADN'T RECEIVED THE REIMBURSEMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE DAEWOO TOLD HER TO SEND IN THE REPAIR RECEIPT, AND THAT IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT ONE MONTH TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONTACT CALLED THE 877-362-1234 NUMBER AND SPOKE TO THE RECEPTIONIST, WHO TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THEY WILL NOT HONOR THE REIMBURSEMENT. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED HER SON HAD AN ACCIDENT IN THE VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. UPDATED 04/09/07. *JB
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V257001 CONCERNING BRAKE HOSE. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION. *AK *TC
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THIS IS NOT HIS VEHICLE AND HE HAS MADE NO COMPLAINT. *TC
Read 14 more owner reports
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALLS 02V131001/FMVSS 201 CONCERNING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, AND 04V357000 REGARDING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER IN HIS AREA THAT WERE WILLING TO HONOR THESE RECALLS.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF. *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED TWO RECALLS HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON HER VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THE NEXT AVAILABLE DATE WAS NOT UNTIL JANUARY 2005. THE CONSUMER IS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V357000 REGARDING THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. COMPANY WAS OUT BUSINESS. NO DEALERSHIP WAS AVAILABLE IN THE MIAMI AREA. *AK WHEN VEHICLE STOPS OR TURNS THE BRAKE MAKES A HIGH PITCH NOISE. *TC
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V357000 ON THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. HOWEVER, CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION.*AK
RECALL 04V357000 FOR CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V131000 CONCERNING AIR BAG FAILURE. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. NO DEALERS WERE AVAILABLETO DO THE REPAIRS. *AK
AIR BAG RECALL RECEIVED. NO DEALERS WERE AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS. OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WOULD BE REQUIRED IF A DEALER WAS FOUND.*AK
NHTSA RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 0V4357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION.*AK
DAEWOO HAS HAD TWO RECALLS FOR THEIR LANOS VEHICLE. ONE FOR THEIR CAM SHAFT POSITION (CMP) SENSOR AND RECALL CAMPAIGN NO.02V-131 FOR THE LANOS PASSENGER AIR BAG ASSEMBLY MODIFICATION. THE PROBLEM IS THERE ARE NO GARAGES SUPPLIED BY DAEWOO TO FIX THEIR VEHICLES. ADDITIONALLY, THEIR NUMBER FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE DOES NOT ANSWER (877-362-1234) TO PROVIDE A DEALER TO SERVICE THE CAR. PLEASE REQUIRE DAEWOO TO FIX THE CARS OR NOT ALLOW DAEWOO TO DO BUSINESS IN THE USA, UNTIL THEY FULFILL THEIR REQUIREMENTS TO DO BUSINESS IN AMERICA. THAT IS TO STOP ALL BUSINESS THAT DAEWOO DOES IN AMERICA. THANK YOU.*AK
THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE CAM SHAFT POSITION (CMP) RECALL 04V357000 PERFORMED BECAUSE ALL THE DEALERSHIP IN THE STATE WERE OUT OF BUSINESS. *JB
THE CONSUMER RECEIVED, NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN LETTER #04V357000 REGARDING THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE COMPANY WAS OUT BUSINESS. NO DEALERSHIP AVAILABLE. *JB
Showing 20 of 369 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Daewoo Lanos
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Daewoo Lanos, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Daewoo Lanos has 369 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Daewoo Lanos has 15 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 16 of the Daewoo Lanos's 369 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Daewoo Lanos vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Daewoo Lanos vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Daewoo Lanos has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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By state
Check a Daewoo Lanos by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Daewoo Lanos.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Daewoo Lanos reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Daewoo Lanos reliable?
Poor. The Daewoo Lanos has 369 NHTSA owner complaints and 15 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Daewoo Lanos years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2000 (209 complaints), 2001 (130 complaints), 2002 (30 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Daewoo Lanos problems?
Top reported issues: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (242 complaints); AIR BAGS (75 complaints); SERVICE BRAKES (30 complaints).
Does the Daewoo Lanos have recalls?
Yes — 15 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Daewoo Lanos. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.