Research · Midsize Cars

2001 Daewoo LeganzaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 128 owner complaints for the 2001 Daewoo Leganza. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (109) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Aug 2004
Owner complaints
128
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Aug 6, 2004NHTSA 04V394000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Jul 14, 2004NHTSA 04V357000

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

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.

StructureReported May 31, 2001NHTSA 01V180000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

128 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2002 – Jul 2006
  1. Engine and engine cooling109
  2. Air bags5
  3. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  4. Power train4
  5. Exterior lighting3
  6. Suspension3
  7. Electrical system2
  8. Steering1
  9. Visibility1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Leganza model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
19985
1999118
2000220
2001128
200218
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

109 reports
“CONSUMER COMPLAINT CONCERNING THE 2001 LEGANZA REIMBURSEMENT FOR CAMSHAFT SENSOR. *TS THE CONSUMER HAD THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR REPAIR PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. WHEN THE NOTICE WAS RECEIVED THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 13, 2006Engine and engine coolingODI 10163671

Air bags

5 reports2 crashes
“CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO WEATHER, AND HIT AN EXIT SIGN. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER CONTACTED MANUFACTURER.*AK *TC”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 5, 2005Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10103912

Service brakes, hydraulic

4 reports2 crashes
“WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH. WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN, THE BRAKES LOCKED. THIS RESULTED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE CAUSE OF THIS IS STILL UNDETERMINED. *NM”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 21, 2005Service brakes, hydraulicCrash reportedODI 10108648
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.2L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Leganza
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050423
Leganza
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,200444
  • Leganza
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Leganza
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.2 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Daewoo Leganza as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4302
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2001 Leganza questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Daewoo Leganza have?

3 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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.

What are the most common 2001 Daewoo Leganza problems?

Owners filed 128 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (109), air bags (5), service brakes, hydraulic (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2001 Daewoo Leganza get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Daewoo Leganza at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026