The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 2 of 5 complaints (40%) mention it.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 5
- Recall campaigns
- 9
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,400–$2,600
- Combined MPG
- 24–26
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | vs. 1998 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,600 | 2,400–2,600 | |
| Combined MPG | 24–26 | 24–26 | 24–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–23 / 31–34 | 20–23 / 31–33 | 20–23 / 31–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 342–370 | 342–370 | 342–370 | |
| Complaints filed | 5 | 62 | 209 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 9 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 8 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 5 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1998 Daewoo Lanos have?
9 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Daewoo Lanos?
Engine: 2 of 5 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1998 Daewoo Lanos get?
EPA rates it 24–26 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Daewoo Lanos?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,600 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 34 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 355 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 32 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 31 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | $2,600 (high) | 370 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 23 mpg (high) | 33 mpg | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 342 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (9)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Remedy
- 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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
- Remedy
- 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
- Defect
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
AIR BAGS
- Defect
- CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT."
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ALLOY WHEELS. THESE WHEELS WERE MANUFACTURED WITHOUT THE STEEL BUSHING INSERTS AROUND THE WHEEL BOLT OPENINGS, ALLOWING FRICTION BETWEEN THE WHEEL BOLT SEATS AND THE WHEEL BOLTS. THIS CAN RESULT IN THE BOLTS LOOSENING DURING HARD BRAKING.
- Consequence
- THE WHEEL COULD DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL RETORQUE THE WHEEL BOLTS AND WILL UPDATE THE OWNER'S MANUAL WHEEL BOLT TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH." INCORRECT POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PAD TO THE REAR, INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE, OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE PELVIC PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER WOULD BE REDUCED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION PAD.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS NO. 214, "SIDE DOOR STRENGTH." INCORRECT POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PAD TO THE REAR, INSTEAD OF THE MIDDLE, OF THE DOOR ASSEMBLY.
- Consequence
- IN THE EVENT OF A SIDE IMPACT ACCIDENT, THE PELVIC PROTECTION FOR THE DRIVER OR FRONT PASSENGER WOULD BE REDUCED.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL CORRECT THE POSITION OF THE SIDE IMPACT PROTECTION PAD.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 3 AND 4-DOOR PASSENGER SEDANS LOCATED IN PUERTO RICO. THE STEERING WHEEL CAN BECOME DAMAGED FROM OVER-ROTATION.
- Consequence
- IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, A LOSS OF VEHICLE STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING STEERING WHEEL WITH A REVISED VERSION.
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
- Defect
- VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 3 AND 4-DOOR PASSENGER SEDANS. THE STEERING WHEEL CENTER BUSHING CONNECTING THE STEERING WHEEL HUB TO THE STEERING COLUMN CAN SLIP.
- Consequence
- IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY AND LOOSENESS OF THE VEHICLE STEERING COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING STEERING WHEEL WITH A REVISED VERSION.