Verdict · NHTSA data
A typical year for this model
The 2001 Daewoo LEGANZA sits mid-pack among LEGANZA years: 138 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 138, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.
The trouble concentrates in one system: engine issues account for 80% of all reports (110 of 138), far ahead of brakes at 6.
138
NHTSA complaints
3
Recalls
0
Investigations
4
Crash-involved
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 110 | 80% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 6 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 5 | 4% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 4 | 3% | ▼ down |
| Suspension | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Lighting | 3 | 2% | ▲ up |
| Electrical System | 2 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Other | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | new |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | — flat |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 1% | ▼ down |
3 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
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THESE VEHICLES EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE HEAD INJURY CRITERION VALUE SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD FOR PASSENGER-SIDE A-PILLAR TARGET LOCATION.
Consequence
CONSEQUENTLY, IN A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER COULD SUFFER INCREASED HEAD INJURY FROM CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER A PILLAR (FORWARD MOST ROOF SUPPORT).
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL PADDING TO THE A PILLAR TO REDUCE THE RISK OF INJURY IN A CRASH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 8, 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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR: VEHICLE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT CAM SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER CONTACTED DAEWOO, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT…”
“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES LOCKED. THIS RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE CAUSE OF THIS IS STILL UNDETERMINED. *NM”
“A 2001 DAEWOO LEGANZA(BELIEVE THAT IS THE MODEL) HIT MY PARKED PICK-UP. THE POLICE ESTIMATE THE VEHICLE WAS GOING ABOUT 40MPH. THE REASON I AM GETTING INVOLVED IS TO INFORM YOU THAT THE AIRBAGS IN THE DAEWOO DID NOT IMPLOY. EVEN THE POLICE OFFICER THOUGHT THAT THEY SHOULD.”
“WHILE IN MOTION, AND BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD AND CONTINUOUS RASPING NOISE AND SURGED ERRATICALLY AND RAPIDLY TO THE REAR. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A WALL CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AFTERWARDS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE…”
“WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TAIL LIGHTS FAILED. ALSO, AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THAT VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED. DEALERSHIP WOULD BE NOTIFIED.*AK”
It is close to typical for the LEGANZA: 138 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (110 complaints), brakes (6 complaints), airbags (5 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2001 Daewoo LEGANZA. 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 LEGANZA years to avoid are 2000. The cleanest record among LEGANZA 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.