RoadVitals

2003 Workhorse Chassis

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Jul 17, 2020
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 22, 2004
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

Overview

Our database contains 22 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Workhorse Chassis, most frequently naming the brakes, suspension and transmission categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes1664.0%
  • Suspension28.0%
  • Transmission28.0%
  • Steering14.0%
  • Body & structure14.0%
  • Visibility14.0%
  • Other / unspecified14.0%
  • Powertrain (other)14.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Apr 22, 2004
30,345 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH ACTIA CORPORATE INSTRUMENT CLUSTERS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NOS. 101 "CONTROLS AND DISPLAYS" AND 105 "HYDRAULIC AND ELECTRIC BRAKE SYSTEMS." IF THE BRAKE FAIL INPUT FALLS BELOW A VOLTAGE OF 1.5V, THE BRAKE FAILURE LAMP AND ALARM WILL BE ACTIVATED. ALSO ACTIVATION OF THE ABS TELL TALE WHEN THE ABS IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING DOES NOT ALWAYS OCCUR.
The risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
The remedy: WORKHORSE WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPROGRAM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN JANUARY 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.
WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSISManufacturer number 50402-CView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jul 17, 2020

WINNEBAGO'S FAILURE TO PROPERLY SEAL WINDSHIELD TO FRAME HAS CAUSED CORROSION AND RUST OVER TIME WHICH HAS CAUSED FRONT WINDSHIELD BREAKAGE. THE RUST HAS ALLOWED THE WINDSHIELD TO SHIFT AND BREAK, THUS CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11339969
Incident
Jul 16, 2020
Mileage
2 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 22, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE FAILED. THE BRAKE CALIPER SEIZED WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKE TO OVERHEAT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TOT HE FLOOR AND THE ALARM SOUNDED AND THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING AT 10 MPH WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THE NEXT DAY, EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE RV HOME SLOWLY AND DIDN'T NOTICE ANY PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AS OF 11/19/12 THE RV HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. UPDATED 12/10/12 *CN

NHTSA ID
10481374
Incident
Oct 18, 2012
Mileage
13,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WORKHORSE CHASSIS, MODEL P32 (N/A). THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED ON A 2003 WINNEBAGO SIGHTSEER RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE PARK BRAKE ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 70,914.

NHTSA ID
10472006
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
70,914 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS WITH 24,000 MILES. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 09V110000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON THE FRONT BRAKES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED ON THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF THE DIAGNOSTIC FEE.

NHTSA ID
10341598
Incident
Jun 16, 2009
Mileage
24,000 mi
Brakes
Filed May 27, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WORKHORSE P32 CHASSIS RV. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE LEFT BRAKES LOCKED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWERVE EXCESSIVELY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE OFF OF THE ROAD AND ALLOW THE BRAKES TO COOL. THE CONTACT CONTINUED DRIVING TO HIS DESTINATION WITHOUT BRAKES. AN AUTHORIZED WORKHORSE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,940. UPDATED 08/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 08/04/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10332466
Incident
Apr 8, 2010
Mileage
30,700 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 26, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SEEMED TO OCCUR AT ALL SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT DUE TO THE PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

NHTSA ID
10327531
Incident
Apr 15, 2009
Mileage
45,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 2010

BRAKES FAILED, HAD TO BE TOWED TRAVELING IN ALABAMA. REPLACED DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDER (2-3-09). REPLACED REAR BRAKES (8-13-09). FRONT BRAKES LOCKED , SMOKING,HAD TO BE TOWED. REPLACED FRONT CALIPERS, (2-26-10). OUT OF POCKET COST TO DATE $3720.75. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324723
Incident
Feb 26, 2010
Mileage
29,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 1, 2009

THIS LETTER IS TO COMMUNICATE MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN MY WORKHORSE CHASSIS. ON JANUARY 1, 2008 WE WERE MOVING OUR MOTOR HOME TO A NEW RV PARK FOR THE MONTH. I STARTED TO SMELL A BAD ODOR WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I PULLED THE COACH INTO A SERVICE STATION TO DISCOVER A SMOKING AND STUCK HOT BRAKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. I UNHOOKED MY TOW VEHICLE AND BACKED UP MY COACH AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE. I CONTACTED A WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. AT THAT TIME THEY INFORMED ME THEY ONLY DO WARRANTY WORK ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS. I THEN CONTACTED A SERVICE PERSON TO COME TO MY COACH AS I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE THE UNIT. AT THAT TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AT A COST OF $ 1,989.19. ON OCTOBER 31, 2008 WE EXPERIENCED A THUMPING VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE. AFTER WE GOT DOWN, I STOPPED THE COACH TO CHECK FOR HOT BRAKES. THEY SEEMED TO BE OK SO WE PROCEEDED TO MOVE ON TO BRADENTON, FLORIDA WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008 WE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED AT A COST OF $339.63 FROM A WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER. THEY ASSURED ME THE BRAKES WERE OK AT THAT TIME. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING HOME FOR THE SUMMER I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 50901-C BUT FELT THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE REPAIRS. ON OCTOBER 30, 2009, WE WERE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON OUR WAY TO GULF SHORES, AL. MUCH TO MY DISMAY WE ARRIVED AT THE RV PARK AND SMELLED SOMETHING HOT AGAIN. I STOPPED TO INSPECT THE COACH AND FOUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE WAS OVERHEATED. WE WAITED FOR THE BRAKE TO COOL BEFORE MOVING TO OUR SITE. THE PAST SUMMER I STORED MY UNIT INSIDE AND DROVE IT ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH WHEN I EXERCISED MY GENERATOR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS! AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FEEL SAFE ON THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290494
Incident
Oct 30, 2009
Mileage
37,242 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

DL8.14SP3

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

As communicated previously, an issue discovered in DiagnosticLink version 8.14SP1 was fixed with the release of 8.14SP3 on August26. The issue related to incorrect parameter data being sent to the server for some Chassis ECUs.

050601014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

OIL LEAK UNDER EXTREME COLD TEMPERATURES (-34 DEGREES C) (-30 DEGREES F) OR COLDER). *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Workhorse Chassis by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2004341039.5
2003Viewing221041.4

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.