Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 246 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.6 times the median LANOS year — the 2000 model ranks #1 of 5 LANOS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 4 deaths and 8 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.
The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 59% of all reports (145 of 246), far ahead of airbags at 34.
246
NHTSA complaints
6
Recalls
0
Investigations
10
Crash-involved
4
Fires reported
8
Injuries
4
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 145 | 59% | ▲ up |
| Airbags | 34 | 14% | ▲ up |
| Brakes | 18 | 7% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 8 | 3% | ▲ up |
| Transmission | 6 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 6 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Tires & Wheels | 5 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Suspension | 5 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Other | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Steering | 4 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Visibility & Wipers | 3 | 1% | new |
| Fuel System | 3 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Body & Structure | 2 | 1% | new |
| Speed Control | 2 | 1% | ▲ up |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | new |
6 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. A WIRING HARNESS, LOCATED BENEATH THE CARPET IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA, CAN BECOME DAMAGED BY PASSENGER TRAFFIC AS THE WIRE HARNESS IS RUBBED AGAINST A BODY SEAM IN THE FLOOR PANEL.
Consequence
WHEN DAMAGED, ENGINE DRIVEABILITY COULD BE AFFECTED AND COULD RESULT IN SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPOSITION THE WIRE HARNESS AND ATTACH IT PERMANENTLY IN A LOCATION WHERE THE WIRE HARNESS CANNOT BE DAMAGED. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN FEBRUARY 6, 2001. 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 1-877-463-2396.
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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“AFTER RECEIVING RECALL CONSUMER SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND SEVERAL MINUTES LATER THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. NHTSA RECALL 04V357000. *AK”
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE PARKED FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE TURNED ON ITS HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SWERVE. THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER AND EJECTED THE DRIVER. UPON IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR…”
“CONSIMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH BRAKES FAILED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP VEHICLE, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.JUST HAD BRAKES REPLACED. DEALER CONTACTED.*JB”
“WHILE CONSUMER'S WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK FIRST THING THIS MORNING SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH PASSENGER'S SEAT. SHE PULLED OVER, AND CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT. FIRE DEPARTMENT DISCONNECTED BATTERY AND PUT OUT FIRE. VEHICLE AT DEALER AT THIS TIME. $ AMOUNT OF DAMAGE AND CAUSE OF FIRE…”
“CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE PARKED FACING THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. VEHICLE TURNED ON ITS HEADLIGHTS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO SWERVE. THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER AND EJECTED THE DRIVER. UPON IMPACT AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS BEING RECALLED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR…”
NHTSA data argues against it: 246 complaints put the 2000 model at #1 of 5 LANOS years. It is one of the LANOS years to avoid.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (145 complaints), airbags (34 complaints), brakes (18 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2000 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.