Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 5 complaints on file for the 1998 Daewoo LANOS — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 9 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
5
NHTSA complaints
9
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2 | 40% | new |
| Engine | 2 | 40% | new |
| Climate Control (A/C & Heat) | 1 | 20% | new |
9 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
Consequence
THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.
Consequence
THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOUS.COM.
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SHOULD CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY ABSORBING AIR BAG MOUNTING BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, SELECTION 1.
Defect
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SHOULD CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER OCCUR.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY ABSORBING AIR BAG MOUNTING BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, SELECTION 1.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THESE WHEELS WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE STEEL BUSHING INSERTS AROUND THE WHEEL BOLT OPENINGS, ALLOWING FRICTION BETWEEN THE WHEEL BOLT SEATS AND THE WHEEL BOLTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE BOLTS LOOSENING DURING HARD BRAKING.
Consequence
THE WHEEL COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE WHEEL BOLTS AND WILL UPDATE THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHEEL BOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH." INCORRECT POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PAD TO THE REAR, INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE, OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE PELVIC PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION PAD.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH." INCORRECT POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PAD TO THE REAR, INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE, OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE PELVIC PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER WOULD BE REDUCED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION PAD.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 3 AND 4-DOOR PASSENGER SEDANS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BECOME DAMAGED FROM OVER-ROTATION.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING STEERING WHEEL WITH A REVISED VERSION.
Defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 3 AND 4-DOOR PASSENGER SEDANS. THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER BUSHING CONNECTING THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO THE STEERING COLUMN CAN SLIP.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY AND LOOSENESS OF THE VEHICLE STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING STEERING WHEEL WITH A REVISED VERSION.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“FRONT BRAKE DISC HAS RUSTED AND HAS BEEN CHANGED ON THREE OCCASIONS. ALSO, THE BRAKE PADS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”
“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 0V4357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. DEALER REFUSED TO DO THE WORK PROPERLY. SERVICE MANAGER WAS FELIZ NABARRETTE JR. *AK ”
The record is thin — 5 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 9 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Daewoo LANOS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the LANOS years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among LANOS years belongs to 1998.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.