AI Damage2002 Daewoo Lanos: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Daewoo Lanos filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 63% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 3% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 3% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 3% of all complaints
- 8 Latches, locks, linkages 3% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 19 complaints (63% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 5 complaints (17% of all).
- Service brakes: 3 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (7% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (3% 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 30 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 | 19 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 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 consumer stated her son had an accident in the vehicle and the air bags didn't deploy. Updated 04/09/07.
There is an intermittent brake failure whereby the pedal goes to the floor but the brakes do not engage -- raising the foot and reapplying pressure usually solves the problem but one wreck has resulted.
Saturn vue 2002 v6 saturn of treavose dealership stated vehicle coolant pump leaking and heater hose leaking may cause damage to timing chain if not repaired. It was repaired at millevoi's tire & service center [phone] on 5-3-2007 for $660.
Consumer received recall 02v257001 concerning brake hose. Dealer was not in operation.
Consumer received recall 02v131000 concerning air bag failure. Dealer was not in operation.
Air bag recall received. No dealers were available to make the repairs. Out of pocket expenses would be required if a dealer was found.
The consumer is unable to have the vehicle serviced. The check engine light is on.
Vehicle shut down while driving, it was towed to consumer's home. While parked in the driveway vehicle started to burn.
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 6,848 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Lanos has 87 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 30, 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.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Daewoo Lanos?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: knocking, grinding or other noise (10%), A/C or heater (7%), airbags did not deploy (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 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 2002 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 2002 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.