2000 Daewoo Nubira Problems

What owners report

Complaints for this model year center on the camshaft position sensor covered by recall 04V357000: owners describe a check engine light that stays on, occasional burning or smoke smells under the hood, and difficulty getting the recall work done because many former Daewoo dealers no longer service the cars. A second large group describes front suspension control arm and bushing wear that shows up as squeaks, wandering or pulling, poor alignment and rapid tire wear, often at low mileage. Brake complaints are smaller in number and include a front brake hose recall plus reports of squealing, rotor wear and a low pedal.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Camshaft position sensor / check engine light (recall

   • 144 complaints (52%)
   • median 47,257 mi at 5.0 yrs old (51 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2008

   Owners describe a check engine light that comes on and often stays lit, sometimes with a burning or smoke smell under the hood. Many say they received the camshaft position sensor recall notice but could not get the work performed: former Daewoo dealerships had closed or stopped servicing the cars, parts were back-ordered, appointments were booked out for months, or the vehicle was turned away as not covered by VIN or part number. A few report paying for the sensor themselves and having the light return, and two describe engine compartment fires attributed to the sensor wiring. Scattered from a few hundred to about 100,000 miles, with many reports in the 15,000-65,000 mile range.

   Recall 04V357000Recall 04V394000

   What to check: Confirm whether recall 04V357000 was actually completed, and ask for paperwork showing the sensor and harness work; check that the check engine light is off and look for any melted or scorched wiring near the camshaft cover.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Camshaft position sensor needs to be replaced for second time. I had to get the camshaft position sensor replaced at my cost. Second time it burnt one of the fuses out. I am unable to pay another time for this recall. Contacted Daewoo at the number placed on your website. They told me to contact dealership. Dealership refused to do recall work unless I paid for labor and part first and then contact Daewoo for reimbursement. I cannot get my tags which I already paid for because car will not pass smog. Dmv gave me one extension already. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10228881, filed 2008-05, 20,000 miles

   “Consumer recall 04v357000 concerning cam shaft position sensor. In september, 2004. Consumer contacted a Daewoo dealership, and was told that parts needed for repairs were unavailable, and there is no indication as to when they will be available. Also, consumer contacted the manufacturer, but was unable to speak to any body in person. ...”

   NHTSA complaint #10107126, filed 2005-01, 56,000 miles
2. 2
   Suspension

   Front control arm and bushing wear

   Mentioned in 14 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report squeaking or creaking from the front end, steering that wanders or pulls to one side, and rapid or uneven tire wear. Several say a shop or dealer identified worn front lower control arm bushings or a failed control arm, sometimes replaced more than once. Some describe the car feeling unstable in crosswinds or on wet roads and on ramps, and a few mention difficulty sourcing the part. Mostly reported between about 11,000 and 60,000 miles, with several cases under 25,000 miles; some owners note the behavior is more noticeable in winter or on wet roads.

   What to check: Have the front lower control arms and bushings inspected on a lift, check tire wear patterns across all four tires, and drive over uneven pavement to listen for front-end squeaks or wandering.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Daewoo Nubira wagon cdx . Multiple brake problems. Had rotors turned 3 times before warranty ran out. Have replaced rotors and pads. I was informed by a mechanic that there is no adusting the back break callipers. Meaning the back brakes don't work. Brake petal goes to the floor. Slides at every stop.ABS has multiple teeth broke. Dealer refused to fix under warranty. Control arms bad. Serp belt bad.tires all replaced. I only have 32,000 miles on car. Can't get collision insurance at fair price.”

   NHTSA complaint #10122381, filed 2005-05, 3,000 miles

   “There aren't any events that LED up to the failure. I took my vehicle in for a routine check and was informed of the problem then. The front control arms on my vehicle are worn. I have gone through 3 sets of tires while trying to locate the part to fit my vehicle. My car swerves after reaching a speed of 30 MPH. I am unable to drive my car on wet roads because I am not able to control the extreme sliding that occurs. I have contacted over 50 dealerships in my area and outside of my area and have not been able to locate this particular part. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086175, filed 2004-08, 41,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake squeal, rotor wear and soft pedal

   • 47 complaints (17%)
   • median 20,500 mi at 4.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2005

   Owners describe squealing brakes, rotors that were turned repeatedly or replaced, and in one case a pedal that goes toward the floor with the car sliding at stops. Front brake hoses are covered by recall 02V257000 for cracking of the outer rubber layer; several owners say they received the notice but could not get the hose replaced, and one reports brake fluid leaking with a burning smell from the front. Reported from a few thousand to about 65,000 miles, with several cases under 30,000 miles.

   Recall 02V257000

   What to check: Ask whether the front brake hose recall 02V257000 was performed, inspect the hoses for cracks, and check pedal feel and rotor condition during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall 04v357000 concerning cam shaft position sensor. Consumer could not find a dealership nor contact the number provided on the recall letter to Daewoo to do recall repairs. Check engine light is always on. Brakes squeeling every so often. Brake recall campaign id number : 02v257000”

   NHTSA complaint #10093968, filed 2004-09, 47,000 miles

   “The front and rear brakes, turn signal bulbs, marker light bulbs and the lower control arm was replaced on numerous occasions, the vehicle stayed out of alignment, which caused extreme tire wear, also the check engine light illuminated.”

   NHTSA complaint #10004223, filed 2003-01, 5,160 miles

Buying note. Check that both open recalls (04V357000 for the camshaft position sensor and 02V257000 for the front brake hoses) were completed, since parts and service access have been a repeated problem for this model. Also budget for front suspension bushings and timing belt service, and have both inspected before buying.

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.