AI Damage1999 Daewoo Lanos: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Daewoo Lanos filed 62 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 62
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 73% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 2% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 2% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 2% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 45 complaints (73% of all).
- Air bags: 8 complaints (13% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (8% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (2% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (2% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 62 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 45 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The switch underneath the break pedal that controls the brake lights going on is continually malfunctioning to the point that the majority of the time I have no break lights, which resulted in me getting rear-ended.
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.
The consumer received a recall noticed(02v257001) regarding the brake hose. There was no dealer in the area to perform the recall.
Consumer received recall 02v131000 concerning air bag failure. Dealer was not in operation.
Upon impact, both air bags did not deploy. No injuries reported. Consumer will contact dealer for an appointment.
The check engine light is on, there are no dealers to service the cam shaft sensor. Recall 04v357000. The consumer requested information about dealers who could service her vehicle.
Check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer received nhtsa recall 04v357000 regarding cam shaft position sensor. However, consumer was unable to locate a dealership in consumer's area, and could not get in contact with the manufacturer.
Consumer states received a recall letter , call many times and no way to get thru telephone operator. Neither a help from the dealer. Please provide further information. Mr
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 4,759 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 13% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lanos has 87 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 62, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Daewoo Lanos?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 62. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (6%), airbags did not deploy (2%), brake failure (2%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Daewoo Lanos?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1999 Daewoo Lanos from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1999 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.