Reliability
Daewoo

Nubira (1st)

2000-2002 · Compact Sedan · 2 engines
423 NHTSA Complaints
3 Recalls
5 Fire Reports
12 Crash Reports
Inspection checklist

Reliability Score

Not rated

Owners filed 287 powertrain complaints. That is too few vehicles, or too few years on the road, to compare with similar vehicles.

On the record

No serious powertrain recall covering 5% or more of this generation and no escalated investigation in NHTSA's files. Warranty extensions and settlements have not been researched.

Complaints by Engine Code

Every complaint of any kind (brakes, airbags, electrical and the rest) whose VIN names the engine, across all model years. The score above counts only engine, transmission and drivetrain complaints, so its figures for the same engine are smaller. Fire, injury and death figures count complaints that report one.

FAM II

2.0L 4-cyl
250 complaints 83.3 per year
4 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
161
cooling
161
brakes
62
suspension
21
safety systems
7

Daewoo Nubira Unidentified Engine

172 complaints 57.3 per year
1 fire report 1 complaint reporting a death
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
116
cooling
116
brakes
35
suspension
12
steering
4
Show 1 additional engine variant with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints. A low count can mean a clean record, and it can also be a VIN-decode anomaly in NHTSA's data.

FAM I

1.6L
1 complaint 1.0 per year
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
safety systems
1
cooling
1

Owner Complaints by System

Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Daewoo Nubira, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.

Engine: 278 owner complaints
Cooling System: 278 owner complaints
Brakes: 97 owner complaints
Suspension: 33 owner complaints
Safety Systems: 11 owner complaints

What to check on a used 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira

On a used 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (278), the cooling system (278) and the brakes (97). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-08. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

  1. Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 278 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira about the engine.
  2. With the engine cold, check the coolant level and color, then watch the temperature gauge on the drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 278 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira about the cooling system.
  3. On an empty road, brake firmly from 40 mph with a light grip on the wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 97 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira about the brakes.
  4. Drive over a speed bump and a rough patch at 15 to 20 mph with the radio off.Safety. NHTSA has 33 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira about the suspension.
  5. Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
Open the full inspection checklist for the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira

Recalls (3)

04V394000Aug 6, 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.

04V357000Jul 14, 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.

02V257000Sep 18, 2002serious
Service Brakes

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES." A CRACK CAN DEVELOP IN THE OUTER RUBBER LAYER OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE(S).

Alternatives in Compact Sedan

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira complaints?

Owners have filed 423 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira. The systems they name most often are the engine, the cooling system and the brakes.

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

That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 423 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.

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

NHTSA has 423 owner complaints on file for the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.

What recalls affect the 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira?

NHTSA lists 3 recalls covering some 2000-2002 Daewoo Nubira vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.

What should I check before buying a used Daewoo Nubira?

Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the engine, the cooling system and the brakes, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.

Does the Nubira have NHTSA crash test ratings?

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

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 423 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-18.

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