2000 Daewoo Lanos Problems

What owners report

Most complaints for this model year are about the camshaft position sensor recall (04V357000), and in the large majority the owner's problem is practical rather than mechanical: no Daewoo dealer left to perform the work, a disconnected phone number, parts on backorder, or a dealer declining because the VIN or part number fell outside the remedy scope. Beyond the recall mail, owners describe a check engine light that stays on, hesitation on acceleration, and a burning smell. Miles on the sampled complaints cluster in the 30,000-70,000 range.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Camshaft position sensor recall not performed

   • 121 complaints (58%)
   • median 52,881 mi at 5.0 yrs old (26 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2008

   Owners received recall 04V357000 for the camshaft position sensor and then could not get the work done. Complaints describe the check engine light staying on and, in some cases, a burning smell or hesitation when accelerating from a stop. Many say the dealer refused the repair because the VIN or part number was outside the recall scope, said the sensor was not affected, or quoted an out-of-pocket charge; others report the manufacturer's phone number no longer works or that they were reimbursed only after paying themselves. Reported from roughly 12,000 to 87,000 miles, with most claims in the 40,000-80,000 mile range and concentrated in the 2004 notices.

   Recall 04V394000Recall 04V357000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 04V357000 was actually completed and get the paperwork, not just a notice. On a test drive, watch for a check engine light that stays on and any burning smell from the engine bay.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “04 v 357 000/camshaft position sensor/mil: consumer has a concern that while starting the vehicle the check engine light remained illuminated while driving and the vehicle would hesitate while accelerating from a stop position. Dealer was notified. Dealer informed the consumer that the his VIN was not cover under this recall. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092317, filed 2004-09, 43,900 miles

   “Consumer received recall 04v357000 concerning cam shaft position sensor. Took vehicle to the dealer and had the defect serviced. One week later, the light continued to come on. Consumer took the vehicle back to dealer to have the work done correctly. Dealer asked consumer to pay out of pocket before they could do anything to the vehicle. Original defect still existed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094014, filed 2004-09, 70,564 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag recall work unavailable

   • 32 complaints (15%)
   • median 47,000 mi at 5.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2005

   Owners who received the air bag notices (02V131001 and 02V131000) describe the same dead end: no dealer in the area able or willing to do the work, parts on indefinite backorder, or a technician saying the air bag warning light is unrelated to the recall. A few owners whose cars were in collisions report the air bags did not deploy. Mileage ranges widely, from about 12,000 to 66,000 miles, mostly in complaints filed during 2004.

   Recall 02V131002Recall 02V131001

   What to check: Check that the air bag warning light comes on briefly and then goes out, and ask for documentation that the 02V131 notices were addressed. Since Daewoo dealer support is largely gone, confirm who can service the air bag system locally before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall 02v131001 concerning air bag deployment. Consumer took vehicle to dealer for recall repairs, and informed the dealer that the air bag light continued to illuminate. The service technician determined that the illumination of the air bag light had nothing to do with the recall. Consumer was devastated.”

   NHTSA complaint #10099864, filed 2004-12, 54,000 miles

   “A recall (04v357000) has been issued for the cam shaft position sensor and NHTSA recall 02v131001 on the fmvss 201/air bag deployment. The consumer is unable to find an authorized dealer to repair the vehicle. Please provide additional information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092081, filed 2004-09, 53,363 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Front brakes wear and rotors warp

   • 10 complaints (5%)
   • median 48,000 mi at 3.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2002–2004

   Owners report the front brakes wearing out repeatedly and the rotors warping enough to need replacement. One complaint describes a front caliper sticking closed, overheating the brake, and wearing the pads down to metal, requiring a tow and replacement of the caliper and disc. Another owner had pads replaced and rotors resurfaced but still felt the brakes were not stopping properly. Reported around 48,000 miles and up, in complaints filed between 2002 and 2003.

   What to check: Look for pulsation through the pedal or steering wheel when braking and check the front rotors for scoring or a pronounced lip. Ask when the pads, rotors and calipers were last serviced.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Disc brake on right front froze in the closed position and heated up the brakes and wore them down metal to metal on disc brake. Had to be towed in to dealer , central valley chrysler in modesto , ca. For repair. Warranty work completed by the dealer. Brake calipers and disc were replaced do to damage. Dt”

   NHTSA complaint #769389, filed 2002-11
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine hesitation and misfire with warning light

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on and staying on, with the car misfiring and hesitating, sometimes badly enough that it sat unused. Complaints mention repeated replacement of the cam sensor, fuel filter and oxygen sensors, with fuel injectors backordered. Another owner reports a timing belt tensioner seizing and breaking the belt, requiring an engine replacement. Reported from about 36,000 to 64,000 miles in the sampled complaints.

   Recall 04V357000

   What to check: Ask for the timing belt and tensioner service history, and note whether the check engine light is on at idle or under load. A scan for stored engine codes before buying is worthwhile.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The timing belt tensioner for my Lanos and my sons nubira both froze and caused the timing belt to break just as the warranty expired. Something should be done so the tensioner does not damage the belt. This ends up being a very costly problem because the engine on both cars had to be changed.”

   NHTSA complaint #10063608, filed 2004-03, 62,312 miles

   “Transmission was replaced, the check engine light came on. Consumer had to pay out of pocket, and the cam shaft sensor was inspected. Cam shaft sensor recall 04v357000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094540, filed 2004-09, 36,000 miles

Buying note. Parts support and dealer coverage are the main practical concern for this model year: several open recalls exist, but owners report difficulty getting the work done, so confirm in writing that any recall repairs were completed. Also budget for wear items like front brakes, headlight connectors and the timing belt.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 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.