2004 Daewoo Kalos SX notchback from Malta - Comments

We had engine problems with a Kalos Auto 1.4 SX in 2005/6 which also had the engine cut out problems. The dealer replaced the valves under warranty, after about 6 months the problem reoccurred. As my wife loved the car we decided to replace it with another, so we bought a brand new one in September 2006 thinking that lightning doesn't strike twice! but it does. Our current Kalos 1.4 SX auto has done 13,000 miles and the engine troubles have stated all over again. As the car is still under warranty I'm hoping there will be a fix, but I'm not so sure there is or confident that it can be. It could soon be bye bye Kalos but I would not buy a third one.

Bought my Kalos 1.2 se 56 plate (registered Sept 2006) last May, and had nothing but problems with it since then. Here is a list of what's gone wrong so far:

1. Lost headlights and brake lights due to a faulty relay switch.

2. The digital clock on the dashboard was constantly going out.

3. The linkage spring from the gearstick snapped, and the gear lever was not responsive when either in neutral or in gear; it feels as if it's doing it again, so will have to have it checked.

4. Had a problem with the thermostat that caused the car to overheat

5. Also sometimes the steering feels very light, so just about to take it back to the dealership to have that checked in the next day or so.

To be honest I've had no problems getting it fixed at the dealership, but a car that's not even 2 years old and 13.5k miles on the clock, should not have been in to get fixed 4 times; 5 shortly.

John Thompson

Motherwell.

Scotland.

The car has only done 13500 miles, and is still under warranty till Sept 2009, but it will be long gone by then I hope.

I have a 55 plate Kalos 1.4 sx and it has been nothing but a pain. It has 15k on the clock and will be out of warranty in Sept. It has just gone in to the dealer for -

ABS warning light continuously flashing

Engine warning light continuously flashing

Hand Brake and Brake Fluid light continuously on (even when handbrake is off)

The engine warning light and ABS light have been problems since I bought the car a year and a half ago with both RAC and the AA coming out to it periodically to tell me there are no problems with the car (i beg to disagree).

So I have no passed the problem on to the dealer. Who have informed me that it could be "a small job or a big job" the big job being having to change valves for getting rid of carbon...

ABS needs new pads and the handbrake warning light has a switch that has broken...

Wicked. Anyone want to buy a Kalos? Great price ;-)

I bought my Daewoo Kalos 1.4SX in 2004. Previously having had 2 Matiz and years of trouble free motoring. This year is the first year that the Daewoo/Chevy guarantee was up for servicing. Now the car has only done 16,500 miles in 4 years and they are saying that the cylinder heads are shot and it's going to cost £850 to fix. The salesman offered £1400 for it today and said he really wasn't interested. I tried to get a discount on the amount to no avail, even although they are admitting it is a fault. They are trying to blame the unleaded fuel in the UK. Any one think of a way of sorting this one out or are am I up the creek without the proverbial? Have Daewoo/Chevrolet stitched us loyal customers up. I think I will contact BBC TV Watchdog, please feel free to join me.

Cheers for reading this

Jim.

Continual problems with air bag light. In the end £580.00 cost to me, and with Chevrolet being very slow to act, I am considering Watchdog on TV, otherwise fingers crossed all is OK. Mileage when I had the air bag problem was only 37000 miles.

Bill Rolfe, Berkshire. 5th April 2009.

We've got a 2004 Kalos 1.4SX, which has constantly got the air bag light on & recently the "check" light symbol on the dash coming on. I've taken it to my local garage who've checked it out & resolved the "check" light problem... but it has re-occurred. Took it back to the garage... who checked it & said there was nothing to worry about... "it may be one of these things" he said.

I won't take it to the dealership, because I'll only get charged an obscene amount for something that seems to be a regular occurrence on this model.

Anyone else with similar problems???

I too have a 54 plate Kalos 1.4 SX. Agree, the EMG light is always flashing on, sometimes staying on, other times going off. Happens mainly when the engine is cold, within 2 miles of the engine starting. Have spent over £300 to no avail. Now just running the car with the light on. Will not be buying any more Chevy's, be warned.