Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 1998 Daewoo NUBIRA — 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.
7
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
0
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 57% | new |
| Brakes | 3 | 43% | new |
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.
“VEHICLE STALLED AT 55 MPH, DEALER DETERMINED THAT TIMING BELT HAD COME OFF, WRAPPED AROUND THE PISTONS, AND HAD DAMAGED THE ENGINE. ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK JLG”
“THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE(02V257001) FOR THE BRAKE HOSE. THERE WERE NO DEALERS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL. *JB *SC *JB ”
The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Daewoo NUBIRA. 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 NUBIRA years to avoid are 2000, 2001. The cleanest record among NUBIRA 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.