AI Damage2001 Daewoo Lanos: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Daewoo Lanos filed 129 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 129
- involving a crash
- 6
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 61% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 29% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 4% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 2% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 1% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 1% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 79 complaints (61% of all).
- Air bags: 37 complaints (29% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 9 complaints (7% of all).
- Seats: 5 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (2% of all).
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 129 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 | 79 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 37 | 6 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 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 vehicle was rear ended and pushed into another vehicle and subsequently the air bags did not deploy. The drivers side seat broke as well. (recall 02v131001).
While driving the vehicle at 45 mph, the driver lost control of the vehicle which resulted in the vehicle crashing into an embankment. The consumer stated that neither of the frontal air bags deployed upon impact. The driver sustained minor injuries.
While driving at an unknown speed, smoke emitted under the hood of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the camshaft sensor and wires were burned and melted. The contact sustained a burned hand that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.
Consumer replaced dead battery in 2001 daewoo lanos. When consumer started the vehicle smoke came from under the hood. The consumer believes the smoke may have been a result of the recalled camshaft position sensor. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it still sits to date.
When the consumer started the vehicle it's check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was then drive only 100 feet when it suddenly shut down. The consumer was not able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer.
The consumer received a recall notice(02v257001) regarding the brake hose. There were no dealers in the area to perform the recall.
Consumer received a recall notice(02v257001) regarding the brake hose. There was no dealer available to perform the recall.
This faulty sensor caused the vehicle to stall while driving. Although the sensor was replaced the vehicle continued to stall. The technician indicated that when the cmp failed the vehicle must have run long enough to cause the valves to mess up.
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 2,970 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lanos has 87 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 129, above 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.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Daewoo Lanos?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 129. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (7%), smoke, burning smell, fire (2%), stalls while driving (2%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 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 2001 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 2001 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.