Verdict · NHTSA data
Worth extra scrutiny
The 1999 Daewoo LANOS sits mid-pack among LANOS years: 69 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 69, with 9 recalls and no defect investigations.
The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 65% of all reports (45 of 69), far ahead of airbags at 8.
69
NHTSA complaints
9
Recalls
0
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 45 | 65% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 8 | 12% | new |
| Brakes | 6 | 9% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 1 | 1% | new |
| Other | 1 | 1% | new |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | new |
| Speed Control | 1 | 1% | new |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | new |
| Suspension | 1 | 1% | new |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 1% | new |
| Transmission | 1 | 1% | new |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1% | new |
| Fuel System | 1 | 1% | 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.
“CONSUMER RECEIVED FOUR RECALL LETTERS 02V131001 CONCERNING AIR BAGS, 04V357000 AND 04V394000 CONCERNING ENGINE FAILURE, AND 99V336001 REGARDING DEFECTIVE WHEELS. WHEN TAKEN TO GET THESE DEFECTS SERVICED ON 2/24/05 DEALER HAD NO PARTS. A RENTAL FEE WAS PROVIDED, BUT DEALER STILL HAD NO PARTS. *AK”
“CONSUMER RECEIVED FOUR RECALL LETTERS 02V131001 CONCERNING AIR BAGS, 04V357000 AND 04V394000 CONCERNING ENGINE FAILURE, AND 99V336001 REGARDING DEFECTIVE WHEELS. WHEN TAKEN TO GET THESE DEFECTS SERVICED ON 2/24/05 DEALER HAD NO PARTS. A RENTAL FEE WAS PROVIDED, BUT DEALER STILL HAD NO PARTS. *AK”
“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.*JB ”
“CONSUMER RECEIVED FOUR RECALL LETTERS 02V131001 CONCERNING AIR BAGS, 04V357000 AND 04V394000 CONCERNING ENGINE FAILURE, AND 99V336001 REGARDING DEFECTIVE WHEELS. WHEN TAKEN TO GET THESE DEFECTS SERVICED ON 2/24/05 DEALER HAD NO PARTS. A RENTAL FEE WAS PROVIDED, BUT DEALER STILL HAD NO PARTS. *AK”
“VEHICLE STALLED WHILE PARKING. TAKEN TO DEALER, RAIN WATER HAD GOTTEN UNDER HOOD AND DAMAGED COMPUTER CHIP THAT REGULATES ENGINE. $ 1500.00 TO REPLACE. CONSUMER FELT DAEWOO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. *AK”
It is close to typical for the LANOS: 69 NHTSA complaints, 9 recalls, and no investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (45 complaints), airbags (8 complaints), brakes (6 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns affecting the 1999 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.