AI Damage1999 Daewoo Leganza: common problems
Owners of the 1999 Daewoo Leganza filed 118 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 118
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 84% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 3% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 2% of all complaints
- 8 Seat belts 2% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 99 complaints (84% of all).
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (7% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (4% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 4 complaints (3% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 3 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.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 118 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 | 99 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 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.
Airbag in driver side failed to deploy. This report is to complement report no. Odi-76119.
Upon applying light pressure to the brake pedal, it loose all pressure, locking the tires and spinning the vehicle out of control. As result impacted the middle wall that separates oposites lanes.
While driving on black ice at 20-30 mph vehicle skidded into a block of snow and hit a guardrail in which neither driver's side nor passenger's side air bags deployed. Vehicle was an total loss.
A child was able to put vehicle into park while ignition was turned off, resulting in a minor collision. Dealer has inspected vehicle and discovered that a metal pin in the gear shift was bent.
The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, gray colored smoke emitted from the air conditioner unit. The check engine warning light illuminated during the failure. The vehicle was towed to the mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the cam shaft sensor melted and needed to be replaced.
The vehicle would crank but would not start. The dealer replaced a blown fuse for the pcm. Once the fuse was replaced the tech saw smoke coming from the cam sensor. The tech replaced the cam sensor and repaired damage to the wire harness.
Consumer received recall 02v257001 concerning brake hose. Dealer was not in operation.
Steering wheel made a knocking noise when driving. Dealership informed consumer that the problem pertained to rusted struts. The problem was not resolved.
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 3,170 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Leganza has 98 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 118, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1999 Daewoo Leganza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 118. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (21%), smoke, burning smell, fire (5%), stalls while driving (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1999 Daewoo Leganza?
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 Leganza 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.