2001 Daewoo Nubira Problems

What owners report

Owner complaints for this model year center almost entirely on the camshaft position sensor covered by recall 04V357000: the check engine light comes on, and in some cases the car loses speed or stops running. A second, smaller theme is the front brake hose recall, plus a cluster of front suspension complaints about lower control arms. Many owners describe trouble getting recall work done at all, since dealerships for the brand were closing or refusing the repairs.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Camshaft position sensor failure (check engine light)

   • 63 complaints (52%)
   • median 45,950 mi at 4.0 yrs old (25 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2004–2008

   Owners describe the check engine light coming on, sometimes intermittently and sometimes steadily, and several say the car would not accelerate past about 40 mph or shut off while driving. Most trace the diagnosis to the camshaft position sensor named in recall 04V357000, and some report a burning or smoking smell linked to the sensor area. According to the complaints, obtaining the recall repair was often the bigger problem: owners report dealerships that had closed, no longer serviced the brand, said the part number or VIN was not covered, or charged diagnostic fees and labor. Reported across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to roughly 80,000, most often in the 30,000-60,000 mile range.

   Recall 04V394000Recall 04V357000

   What to check: Ask whether the camshaft position sensor recall work was ever completed and whether paperwork exists, since parts and dealer support for this brand became scarce. Scan for stored codes and check for a burning smell or melted wiring near the sensor.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The check engine light came on and when diagnosed it was related to a defect in the camshaft position sensor. I came to know about a recall regarding my vehicle model on the camshaft sensor and took it to a dealership for repair. The dealership said the car was not in the database and refused to do the repair. In the recall letter it says that with this camshaft defect there is a risk of engine catching fire.”

   NHTSA complaint #10220466, filed 2008-03

   “Consumer received recall 04v357000 concerning cam shaft position sensor from the manufacturer and went to the Daewoo dealership where the vehicle was purchased. The service department wanted to charge consumer $40.00 for a diagnostic test just to be sure that the defect was as described in the recall notice. Currently, dealership was telling consumer that parts will not be available for 3 to 4 weeks.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094381, filed 2004-09, 40,000 miles
2. 2
   Engine cooling

   No dealer available to perform recall repairs

   • 41 complaints (34%)
   • median 50,500 mi at 4.0 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • filed 2004–2008

   A large share of complaints are not about a new failure but about the recall process itself: owners received recall notices and then could not find any service center willing or able to do the work. They describe disconnected phone numbers, closed dealerships, and shops stating they would not be paid or no longer serviced the brand. A few report being told their vehicle was not in the database or that the specific part was not covered. Mostly filed in 2004 after the sensor recall letters went out, at mileages from about 5,000 to 80,000.

   Recall 04V357000Recall 04V394000

   What to check: Before buying, confirm a shop near you will service this brand and ask for written proof of any completed recall. Check whether the sensor and its wiring look original or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “A recall (04v357000) was issued for the cam shaft position sensor. The consumer stated the dealer refused to repair the vehicle under the recall because the part serial number was not included. Please provide additional information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092233, filed 2004-09, 51,000 miles

   “A recall (04v357000) was issued for the cam shaft position sensor. The consumer was unable to find an authorized dealer to repair the vehicle. Consumer stated she has attempted to call the manufacturer since september the 7, 2004. Please provide additional information. The consumer stated that while the check engine light is constantly on she will not know if something is really wrong or if something else is wrong before she gets the vehicle serviced for the recall. Daewoo no longer deals in the unithed states.”

   NHTSA complaint #10092241, filed 2004-10, 37,000 miles
3. 3
   Brakes

   Front brake hose cracks (recall 02V257000)

   • 25 complaints (20%)
   • median 43,198 mi at 4.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2002–2005

   Complaints describe a recall for the front brake hoses, where a crack can develop in the outer rubber layer. Most owners who filed did so because they could not find a dealer to carry out the replacement, and a couple said a dealer refused because the car was not bought there. A separate report describes brakes that did not stop the vehicle after braking, with repeated pad replacement. Mostly reported between 5,000 and 54,000 miles, with several complaints filed without a mileage.

   Recall 02V257000

   What to check: Have the front brake hoses inspected for cracking in the outer layer and ask whether the hose recall was ever completed. Check brake fluid level and pedal feel on a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “02 v 131 001/fmvss 201 air bag deployment & 04 v 357 000/camshaft position sensor/mil: consumer received both of these recall notices and was unable to locate a authorized service center within her area. ......consumer claimed he did not receive air bag deployment recall, only a brake hose and cmp recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #10097261, filed 2004-10

   “The consumer was unable to have the brake hose recall 02v257000 performed because the dealership listed on the Daewoo website in their state was not longer located at the address provided.”

   NHTSA complaint #10097066, filed 2004-10
4. 4
   Suspension

   Front lower control arm and bushing wear

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 34,600 mi at 2.6 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2008

   Owners describe creaking or loud noises from the front end, vibration at highway speed, and uneven front tire wear, with the lower control arms and bushings identified as the worn parts. One report notes the control arms and bushings were replaced along with front rotors, and another describes steering that felt difficult to hold steady. Complaints also mention trouble getting the work covered under warranty. Typically reported between roughly 30,000 and 40,000 miles, with some at very low mileage.

   What to check: Listen for clunks or creaks over bumps and feel for vibration or wander at highway speed; have the control arm bushings and front tires inspected before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The Daewoo Nubira 2001 should be recalled to replace lower control arms which are attached to the suspension. I feel the control arms' inadequacies are catastrophes waiting to happen. The control arms are faulty and could cause steering failure. This is a part that is replaced on this car model too often. What happens if someone does not have $700 to pay for repair? I ask this because when I drive the Daewoo it is increasing difficult to hold it on the road due to the front end rack and pinion steering jerking left and right. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10216946, filed 2008-02, 38,000 miles

   “Vehicle had several problems. While driving a noise was heard coming from the rear. Dealer found that parking brake clips were broken. During an inspection of the brakes, dealer discovered that front control arm and bushings had to be replaced. Also, front rotors were replaced, once and turned once. Vehicle shimmied when brakes were depressed. Engine light would go on and off, camshaft was replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10040387, filed 2003-10, 2,372 miles

Buying note. This model year is old enough that recall completion paperwork matters more than anything else: ask for proof that the camshaft sensor and brake hose recalls were done, and confirm a shop near you will still work on the brand. Have the front suspension and brakes inspected, since those are the other areas owners report most.

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.