Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 20 complaints on file for the 2002 Daewoo LEGANZA — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
20
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
1
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 55% | ▼ down |
| Brakes | 4 | 20% | ▼ down |
| Airbags | 3 | 15% | ▼ down |
| Tires & Wheels | 1 | 5% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 5% | — flat |
2 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.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“NHTSA RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTOR DID NOT WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED DEALER PROMISED TO FIX IT BUT NEVER DID. *TC”
“WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATEED ON THE DASH BOARD. THE FRONT WHEELS LOCKED WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES. ALSO, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL 04V357000. PROBLEMS HAVE NOT YET BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER IFORMATION. *JB”
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON A CONSISTENT BASES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT DETERMINED THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THIS VEHICLE. COMPLAINTS WERE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE PERTAINING TO AIR BAGS: FRONTAL: SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE. YEAR: 2002…”
“TIRE SIDEWALL BUBBLE. TIRE FIRST STARTED MAKING NOISE AND VIBRATING FOR APPROX. 400 MILES BEFORE FAILURE. HAD MECHANIC CHECK AND HE SAID IT WAS SIMPLY WEAR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FREEWAY AT 65 MILES AN HOUR CAUSING MAJOR SHAKING AND CONTROL ISSUES. TIRES ARE ROTATED REGULARLY BUT COMMUNITY TIRE…”
“NHTSA RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE WINDOW MOTOR DID NOT WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED DEALER PROMISED TO FIX IT BUT NEVER DID. *TC”
The record is thin — 20 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (11 complaints), brakes (4 complaints), airbags (3 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2002 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.