NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 30 owner complaints for the 2002 Daewoo Lanos. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (19) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 23–26 mpg combined.
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.
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.
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
“DECEMBER 2007 TOOK, CAR TO SEARS TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUSHED. TECHNICIAN CHECKED CAR INFORMED ME INTAKE MANIFOLD LEAKING (EVAPORATING ANTI-FREEZE) THAT IS WHY I DIDN'T SEE IT LEAKING. TOLD ME TO HAVE FIX. 12/21/2007, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS REACHING ITS HIGH POINT. SHUT IT DOWN WALKED CAR X AND ASKED TO PURCHASE ANTIFREEZE. TECH. SAID BET I CAN TELL YOU WHAT CAR IT IS A CHEVROLET MONTE CARLO. ASKED HIM HOW DID HE KNOW? HE SAID GET THEM ALL THE TIME. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER COUPLE OF YEARS AGO FROM GM BUT COULDN'T FIND IT. CONTACTED GM 1/7/2008, REP. INFORMED ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SHE TOLD ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO DEALER, GIVE THEM REFERENCE NUMBER 03034. DROPPED CAR OFF 1/8/2008, JOSEPH CHEVROLET GAVE INFORMATION REP. TOLD ME TO GIVE. 1/9/2008, I RECEIVED CALL FROM DEALER ABOUT 7:05 A.M. HE SAID, "HE TRIED CONTACTING GM LINE WAS BUSY AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TIME TO SIT ON PHONE WITH THEM ALL DAY AND I NEED TO CALL THEM". I CALLED IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HUNG UP FROM TALKING TO DEALER I EXPLAINED INFORMATION TO REP. I ALSO GAVE HER VIN NUMBER SHE TOLD ME THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY CAR AND THAT THEY SHOULD GO AHEAD AND FIX IT. DURING CONVERSATION WITH…”
“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALLS 02V131001/FMVSS 201 CONCERNING AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, AND 04V357000 REGARDING CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE ANY AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER IN HIS AREA THAT WERE WILLING TO HONOR THESE RECALLS.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO GET THE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO OFF. *JB”
“CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V257001 CONCERNING BRAKE HOSE. DEALER WAS NOT IN OPERATION. *AK *TC”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lanos Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 32 | 26 | $2,400 | 342 |
| Lanos Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 33 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Lanos Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 25 | $2,500 | 355 |
| Lanos Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 1.6 L · Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 23 | $2,700 | 386 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
4 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (19), air bags (5), service brakes, hydraulic (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Daewoo Lanos at 23–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).