AI Damage2002 Daewoo Leganza: common problems
Owners of the 2002 Daewoo Leganza filed 18 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and service brakes. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 18
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 61% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 17% of all complaints
- 4 Tires 6% of all complaints
- 5 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 11 complaints (61% of all).
- Service brakes: 4 complaints (22% of all).
- Air bags: 3 complaints (17% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Tires: 1 complaints (6% of all).
- Visibility: 1 complaints (6% 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 18 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 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 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 passenger's face was severely burned by the chemicals/powder in the air bag when it deployed.
Tire first started making noise and vibrating for approx. 400 miles before failure. Had mechanic check and he said it was simply wear. The failure occurred on freeway at 65 miles an hour causing major shaking and control issues.
Dt*: the contact stated that the airbag light illuminated on a consistent bases. The dealer was contacted and could not determined the problem. There were no recalls on this vehicle. Complaints were found on the nhtsa website pertaining to air bags: frontal: sensor/control module.
The consumer stated that the window motor did not work when the vehicle was purchased dealer promised to fix it but never did.
Consumer received recall 02v257001 concerning brake hose. Dealer was not in operation.
Consumer received a recall notice(02v257001) regarding the brake hose. There was no dealer to perform the recall.
Consumer stated check engine light stayed on. As a result, vehicle accelerated slowly. A recall was issued, however, this vehicle was not included in the recall due to model year.
The consumer noticed the air bag light illuminated about a month after purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on 6/19/2003, who stated the air bag control module needed to be replaced.
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 8,622 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Leganza has 98 complaints (5 years in the data). This year has 18, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- 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.
- Tires. Tire age by DOT code, bulges, wear pattern.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Daewoo Leganza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, service brakes, air bags. Total complaints: 18. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbag warning light (11%), stalls while driving (6%), vibration (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2002 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 2002 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 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.