Wrench.Pro

1999 Daewoo NUBIRA Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1999 Daewoo NUBIRA carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering engine and engine cooling. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Camshaft position sensor recall remedy unavailable.” Daewoo sold cars in the US for barely three years, and the surviving maintenance story comes down to one item: every US Daewoo engine is an interference design with a timing belt, and a snapped belt bends valves. The book says 60,000 miles on the Lanos and 72,000 on the Nubira and Leganza, but the Nubira's tensioner is famous in the owner community for loosening around 50,000, so the smart play on any of them is belt, tensioner, and water pump by 60,000, or on age for a car this old. The rest is ordinary 1990s GM-adjacent care on short intervals. Parts are more findable than you would guess; the Lanos engine family lived on under GM in the Chevy Aveo.

Save this car as:

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Campaign #04V357000 · Jul 14, 2004

Issue: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.

Risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, OPTION 6, OR FIND A LOCAL DEALER THROUGH THEIR WEBSITE AT WWW.DAEWOOUS.COM.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Campaign #04V394000 · Jun 8, 2004

Issue: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MAY MELT RESULTING IN A BURNING SMELL AND VISIBLE SMOKE, WHICH MAY SUBSEQUENTLY LEAD TO THE MELTING OF THE CAMSHAFT COVER AND THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WIRE HARNESS.

Risk: THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL FUSE. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO PUERTO RICO AT 1-877-362-1234 OPTION 6.

Recall data refreshed Jul 26, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1999 Daewoo NUBIRA.

Reported to NHTSA

Camshaft position sensor recall remedy unavailable

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

31 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2006-07

“RECALL 04V357000 WAS ISSUED FOR THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. CONSUMER STATES DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO COST UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE PART SERIAL NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10092541
“CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL 04V357000 REGARDING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. NO DEALERSHIP WASAVAILABLE. THE PHONE PROVIDED IN THE LETTER WAS NOT WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10093979
“RECALL 04V357000 CONCERNING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. DEALER KEPT INSISTING NO PARTS WERE AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10099653

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Camshaft sensor recall repair reimbursement requests

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2004-10 → 2006-08

“THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR AND REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10161582
“THE MANUFACTURER SENT A FOLLOW UP LETTER STATING THAT REIMBURSEMENT WOULD BE MADE FOR ANY PARTS AND LABOR PERFORMED FOR THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10162429

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Check engine light and shaft sensor malfunction

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2002-02 → 2005-04

“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10097509
“1999 DAEWOO NUBIRA SHAFT SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10119203
“WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WILL COME ON. CONSUMER HAS TO TAKE VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THEY WILL RESET THE LIGHT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8004369

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing belt and timing chain failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-12 → 2006-10

“AT A MERE 57,323 MILES ON MY CAR THE TIMING BELT SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF MY DRIVE HOME FROM WWORK, WHICH LEFT ME STRANDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10072678
“TIMING CHAIN WENT OUT. TOLD WHEN THIS HAPPENS ON A DAEWOO IT USUALLY DAMAGES THE VALVES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10020591
“WATER PUMP WAS LEAKING INTERNALLY, CAUSED THE TIMING GEAR TO RUST AND FREEZE WHICH CAUSED THE BELT TO BREAK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10000378

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Lower control arm and bushing wear

SUSPENSION

4 NHTSA complaints · 2002-07 → 2004-07

“WHEN CHANGING LANES STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE TIRES WERE WEARING UNEVENLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10081624
“WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTROL ARM BUSHINGS STARTED TO MALFUNCTION. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #8013349
“THE CONTROL ARM MADE A CRACKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING, THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10026876

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Hydraulic brake pedal and brake hose complaints

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 NHTSA complaints · 2000-06 → 2004-10

“WHILE DRIVING AND UPON DEPRESSING BRAKE PEDAL ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A GRADUAL STOP, PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #864183
“DAEWOO NUBIRA'S BRAKE GOT STUCK AND LOST CONTOL OF THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #738193
“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V257001 CONCERNING BRAKE HOSE. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10097804

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Timing Belt

Every 60,000 mi

The item that decides these engines' fate. Lanos 1.6: 60,000 miles. Nubira 2.0 and Leganza 2.2: 72,000 on paper, 60,000 in practice because of the Nubira's documented tensioner weakness. Do tensioner and water pump with it, and go by age if history is unknown; every one of these engines bends valves on failure.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Oil & Filter Change

Every 3,000 mi

The manual's severe schedule, 3,000 miles or 3 months, is the verified figure and the right one for short-trip use. Normal-schedule cars of the era ran about 7,500 or 12 months.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Annual Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Annual look over belts, hoses, cooling system, and suspension. Twenty-plus-year-old rubber fails on age, not miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Every 2 years is sound practice for the era; no verified factory interval survives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

With each oil service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

Roughly every 30,000 miles for era-typical conventional plugs; no verified Daewoo-specific figure survives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Engine Coolant

Every 30,000 mi

Every 2 to 3 years with era-appropriate coolant. Cooling-system neglect is what killed most of these cars.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

About every 30,000 miles, inspected at services.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Every 30,000 miles is the safe habit for the era automatics; no verified factory figure survives.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1999 Daewoo NUBIRA reflects Daewoo's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →