1999 Daewoo Lanos Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about the camshaft position sensor recall (04V357000/04V394000): many report check engine lights, a burning smell, and difficulty finding a dealer or replacement parts, since the brand exited the US market. Brake work — recurring pad/rotor replacement and a brake hose recall — and a small number of air bag recall concerns also appear in the sample.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Camshaft position sensor recall — no dealer or parts to

   • 43 complaints (69%)
   • median 73,502 mi at 6.0 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2004

   Owners describe receiving the recall notice for a melting camshaft position sensor and then being unable to get the repair done — either no franchised dealer within reach, a disconnected customer service line, or no parts in stock. Some report a check engine light on the dash while driving, and a few say the dealer performed only an inspection or declined the work. Filings cluster in late 2004, shortly after the recall letters went out. Reported across a wide mileage range, from very low miles up to about 100,000, mostly in 2004 filings.

   Recall 04V357000Recall 04V394000

   What to check: Ask for documentation that the camshaft position sensor recall was completed, and confirm a shop can still source the sensor and harness for this model before buying. Check for a burning smell or a persistent check engine light.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall 04v357000 concerning cam shaft position sensor. Consumer took the vehicle to dealer for repairs, but discovered that the service was not done. Consumer was told that in order to get repairs done consumer would have to pay would have to pay for the work. They only inspected the vehicle but did not change anything. The consumer stated that the vehicle has all the problems listed in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092584, filed 2004-10, 81,589 miles

   “Consumer received recall 04v357000 concerning cam shaft position sensor. Consumer cannot find a dealership nor contact the number provided on the recall letter for Daewoo customer service.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094712, filed 2004-09, 3,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag recall not completed, and non-deployment in a crash

   • 8 complaints (13%)
   • median 79,000 mi at 6.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2005

   Several owners report air bag recall notices (02V131001/02V131002) with no parts or no dealer available to do the work, and one owner describes being unable to drive the car while waiting. Another complaint reports that both air bags failed to deploy in a collision. Filings span 2002 to 2005; mileage not stated in most of these complaints.

   Recall 02V131001Recall 02V131002

   What to check: Check whether the air bag recalls have been completed and whether the air bag warning lamp behaves normally at startup. Parts availability for this brand is limited, so confirm a source before relying on the recall.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer received recall 04v357000 for cam shaft position szensor, and recall 02v131000 concerning air bag failure. No Daewoo dealership within a 100 mile radius of sterling, co.”

   NHTSA complaint #10095378, filed 2004-10

   “While driving consumer's vehicle collided with another vehicle. Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. No injuries reported. Consumer will contact dealer for an appointment.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094790, filed 2004-09
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake wear, noise and a brake hose recall

   • 5 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 6.0 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2004

   Complaints describe frequent brake replacement, grinding from the front, and in one case brake failure accompanied by a burning rubber smell that continued after pads and rear wheel bearings were replaced. A mechanic reportedly attributed the wear pattern to braking habits rather than a part fault. Two owners also report receiving a brake hose recall notice with no dealer nearby to perform it. Reported from early ownership onward, with one owner citing replacements every 4,000 to 8,000 miles.

   What to check: Inspect pad and rotor wear and ask for brake service records; confirm whether the brake hose recall (02V257001) was completed.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer states brakes have been replaced every 4000 to 8000 miles, the left front side seems to grind frequently, consumer was informed by mechanic that it was the method and frequency of braking which caused the problems.”

   NHTSA complaint #785773, filed 2001-11

Buying note. The main practical concern is open recalls on a discontinued brand where parts and dealer support are limited, so verify which campaigns were actually completed and that a shop can still service the car. Have brakes and the engine warning-light history checked before committing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 39 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.