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2002 Daewoo LANOS Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2002 Daewoo LANOS carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering engine and engine cooling and air bags. Owners report 3 recurring issue clusters, led by “Position sensor recall repairs with no dealer available.” 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.

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4 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.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #02V131001 · Aug 5, 2002

Issue: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SHOULD CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY ABSORBING AIR BAG MOUNTING BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, SELECTION 1.

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.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #02V131002 · Aug 5, 2002

Issue: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."

Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DO NOT DEPLOY, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF INCREASED HEAD INJURY TO THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER SHOULD CONTACT WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COVER OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL NEW ENERGY ABSORBING AIR BAG MOUNTING BRACKETS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 23, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAEWOO AT 1-877-362-1234, SELECTION 1.

Recall data refreshed Jul 26, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2002 Daewoo LANOS.

Reported to NHTSA

Position sensor recall repairs with no dealer available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2004-11

“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 04V357000 ON THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. HOWEVER, CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE A DEALER TO HONOR THE RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10095459
“THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE CAM SHAFT POSITION (CMP) RECALL 04V357000 PERFORMED BECAUSE ALL THE DEALERSHIP IN THE STATE WERE OUT OF BUSINESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10092247
“CONSUMER RECEIVED, RECALL CAMPAIGN 04V357000 REGARDING THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. COMPANY WAS OUT BUSINESS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10092101

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper housing detachment

VISIBILITY

2 NHTSA complaints · 2003-10 → 2003-11

“WINDSHIELD WIPER HOUSING FELL OUT/ TRANSMISSION GRINDS IN THIRD GEAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10048198
“WIND SHEILD WIPERS HOUSING COUNCEL FELL OUT. CANNOT TURN WIPERS ON OR OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10043048

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag recall repairs with no dealer available

AIR BAGS

5 NHTSA complaints · 2004-09 → 2004-11

“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V131000 CONCERNING AIR BAG FAILURE. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10095012
“AIR BAG RECALL RECEIVED. NO DEALERS WERE AVAILABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10094762

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 2002 Daewoo LANOS 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.

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