Rust (sills, floor, arches)
usually 80,000–300,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Bubbling paint, holes
Fix: Rust repair
€200–1,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Daewoo Nubira
1997–2003
1
engines covered
8
known faults
3
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Daewoo Nubira was built from 1997 to 2003.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 8 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode): it usually appears at 100,000–200,000 km and costs €300–1,500 to fix.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira) | Petrol | Belt · 60,000 km / every 48 mo | 10W-40 / 5W-30 · API SL / GM · ~3.75 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults typical of this model
Suspension bushes / ball joints
usually 60,000–160,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Knocks
Fix: Replace parts
€80–250
Faults by engine
0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira)
Timing belt / tensioner (short life)
usually 50,000–80,000 km · High risk
Signs: Belt failure bends valves — change at 60,000 km
Fix: Replace belt kit and water pump
€200–450
Head gasket / hydraulic lifters (1.4 / 1.6 16v)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Ticking, coolant loss, overheating
Fix: Replace gasket / lifters
€300–900
Ignition leads / coil
usually 120,000–280,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Misfire in wet weather
Fix: Replace leads and coil
€60–180
Thermostat / radiator
usually 100,000–180,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Overheating
Fix: Replace thermostat / radiator
€100–300
Gearboxes
Manual
Clutch wear
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
€500–900
Automatic 4-speed (AF13 / AF17 / 4T40)
Solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode)
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning
Fix: Fluid change, solenoid / valve body repair
€300–1,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Timing belt kit + water pumpEngine | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €450–900 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 178 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (3). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Fire risk Crack may occur witin a capacitor inside the camshaft position sensor15/10/2004 · R/2004/142
- Gearbox Transmission mounting bolts may break.11/05/2004 · R/2004/024
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Front flexible brake hoses may crack02/12/2002 · R/2002/139
Common questions
Does the Daewoo Nubira have a timing chain or a timing belt?
0.8–1.8 petrol (GM Daewoo: Matiz, Kalos, Lacetti, Lanos, Nubira): belt · 60,000 km / every 48 mo.
What are the known problems with the Daewoo Nubira?
The faults with the highest risk: solenoids / pressure regulator (limp mode) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–1,500); timing belt / tensioner (short life) (50,000–80,000 km, €200–450); rust (sills, floor, arches) (80,000–300,000 km, €200–1,000); head gasket / hydraulic lifters (1.4 / 1.6 16v) (100,000–200,000 km, €300–900). The full list by engine is on this page.
What should you check when buying a used Daewoo Nubira?
Before you buy, ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN that the recalls have been done (3 have been published for this model). If the engine has a timing belt, ask for the invoice for its replacement: with no proof, assume it has not been done. On the test drive, watch for these signs: harsh shifts, stuck in 3rd, gearbox warning; belt failure bends valves — change at 60,000 km. The full checklist is in the guide to buying a used car.
Models with the same engines
These models share engines with this car, so they share some of its faults too.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026