AI DamageDaewoo Nubira: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Daewoo Nubira across 5 model years: 499 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 67% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 21% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 8% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 3% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 3% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 2% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 2% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 1% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 332 complaints (67% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Service brakes: 103 complaints (21% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Suspension: 38 complaints (8% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 14 complaints (3% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Air bags: 13 complaints (3% of all), 9 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1998
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1998–2003
- automatic, 4-speed 1998–2003
- manual, 5-speed 1998–2003
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 499 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 | 332 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 103 | 4 | 0 |
| Suspension | 38 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| Air bags | 13 | 9 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Parking brake | 3 | 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.
While traveling at 10 mph the brakes failed to operate, causing a crash. Consumer was informed by the dealer that the rubber brake hoses needed repairs for the second time.
Nhtsa recall 02v131000, after braking vehicle did not stop. Consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. The brake pads were replaced three times.
The consumer has been involved in three accidents whereby the brakes failed. A recall letter for the brake hose was issued. Nhtsa recall 02v257000.
Nar 03/05/2003 the consumer engine compartment was caught on fire. Dealer notified.
In an accident and the seat belts did not deploy. Impact was hard enough for air bags to work but did not.
While driving 10 mph vehicle was t-boned and air bags did not deploy. Car was totaled.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
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.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other models of this make
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.