Daewoo

Leganza (1st)

2000-2002 · Compact Sedan ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.5)
366 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
8 Fire Reports
10 Crash Reports
๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

FAM II

2.2L
โŒ Avoid (1.5)
93 complaints 31.0 per year
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
84
cooling
84
safety systems
3
brakes
2
transmission
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (84 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (84 complaints)
Safety Systems Issues (3 complaints)

Daewoo Leganza Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.0)
267 complaints 89.0 per year
5 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
217
cooling
216
brakes
25
safety systems
11
transmission
8

Known Issues

Engine Issues (217 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (216 complaints)
Brakes Issues (25 complaints)
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

FAM I

1.6L
โœ… Recommended (4.2)
6 complaints 3.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
3
cooling
3
transmission
1
brakes
1
safety systems
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (3 complaints)
Cooling System Issues (3 complaints)
Transmission Issues (1 complaints)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Daewoo Leganza regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (304 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (303 complaints)
cooling critical
Brakes Issues (25 complaints)
brakes serious

Recalls (3)

04V357000Jul 13, 2004serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

04V394000Jun 7, 2004serious
Engine & Cooling

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.

01V180000May 30, 2001serious
Structure

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." THESE VEHICLES EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE HEAD INJURY CRITERION VALUE SPECIFIED IN THE STANDARD FOR PASSENGER-SIDE A-PILLAR TARGET LOCATION.

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza problems?

The 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza has accumulated 366 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Cooling System, Brakes. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Daewoo Leganza engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza was offered with 3 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.2L ?-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza a good used car?

The 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 366 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza have?

The 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza has 366 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza?

There are 3 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Daewoo Leganza?

Before buying a used Daewoo Leganza, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Cooling System, Brakes, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Leganza have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2002 Daewoo Leganza. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 366 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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