AI Damage2001 Daewoo Leganza: common problems
Owners of the 2001 Daewoo Leganza filed 128 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 128
- involving a crash
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 85% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 3% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 2% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 1% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 109 complaints (85% of all).
- Air bags: 5 complaints (4% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (4% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Powertrain: 4 complaints (3% of all).
- Exterior lighting: 3 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.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 128 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 | 109 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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.
Was driving approximately 65 mph. While applying the brakes to slow down, the brakes locked. This resulted in a front end collision. The cause of this is still undetermined.
Consumer lost control of vehicle due to weather, and hit an exit sign. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. Consumer contacted manufacturer.
Dt: while driving the brake lights did not illuminate when the brake pedal was applied. This was the 3rd time the lights went out. The consumer is unaware how long the brake light were out. The consumer did repair the problem.
Check engine light appeared on the dashboard and the vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the camshaft position sensor needed to be replaced.
The faulty device was supposed to cause the check engine warning light to illuminate (which it did), and a burning smell and/or visible smoke (which also occurred). The letter mentiond a range of vin numbers of vehicles included in the recall and my car is well within that range.
While driving at any speed the vehicle pulled to the left. The consumer went in for an alignment, however the dealer stated the alignment could not be performed on this type of vehicle. Please provide additional information.
Recall campaign; the check engine light came on in the vehicle. The consumer was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall. When the dealer filed bankrupt the vehicle had no warranty at all. The consumer can not afford to have the recall service done.
When driving, the transmission intermittently slipped . The consumer continued to drive. Please provide more information.
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 2,990 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 8% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Leganza has 98 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 128, 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Daewoo Leganza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, air bags, service brakes. Total complaints: 128. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (13%), smoke, burning smell, fire (2%), airbag warning light (2%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2001 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 2001 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 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.