RoadVitals

2004 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.
34
Latest Mar 30, 2019
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 34 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Workhorse Chassis, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 1 manufacturer communication is 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

  • Brakes2767.5%
  • Electrical512.5%
  • Engine37.5%
  • Fuel system12.5%
  • Other / unspecified12.5%
  • Steering12.5%
  • Tires & wheels12.5%
  • Transmission12.5%

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
04V195000

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

View all 34
Electrical
Filed Mar 30, 2019

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DISPLAY GOES BLACK (NO DISPLAY) AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ID
11192594
Incident
May 1, 2018
Mileage
45,000 mi
BrakesElectrical
Filed Sep 22, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
11024996
Incident
Sep 21, 2017
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 4, 2016

DRIVING DOWN 295@ 70 MPH , ENGINE DIED, LOST POWER STEERING, BRAKES, ALL ELECTRICAL. DEAD IN THE WATER, NEEDED TO TOW. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CHASSIS. APPARENTLY THE IGNITION SWITCH MOUNTED ON THE STEERING COLUMN BURNS OUT BECAUSE IT IS OVERLOADED. WORKHORSE OFFERS A FIX USING RELAY COSTS OVER $300.00, SO THEY MUST REALIZE IT IS A PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10893108
Incident
Jul 10, 2016
Mileage
35,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 23, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER WITH A 2004 WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THE CONTACT HAD THE CALIPERS REPLACED ON THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS UNDER A RECALL, BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR ANY OTHER PARTS THAT WERE DAMAGED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE ROTORS TO CRACK AND BREAK. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY DO NOT FIX ANYTHING THAT WAS NOT LISTED IN THE RECALL AND THAT ANY DAMAGE CAUSED FROM THE FAILURE IN THE CALIPERS, WOULD BE THE OWNERS RESPONSIBILITY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 17000. UPDATED 02/01/11*LJ UPDATED 04/14/11

NHTSA ID
10367329
Incident
Nov 22, 2010
Mileage
17,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 24, 2010

2004 SIGHTSEER, -MODEL# WFD30B. I'M HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE MR JUST SLOWING DOWN AS IF THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLYED. I HAD THE ENGINE SCOPED AND ALL WAS WELL. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE BRAKES, BUT WORKHORSE SAID MY MODEL WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. HAVE BEEN TOLD 1. WRONG CATALYTIC CONVERTER 2. FUEL FILTER 3. BRAKES GETTING HOT AND GRABBING. 4. PARKING BRAKE NOT RELEASING. I HAD TO STOP FOR 30-40 MINUTES, THEN COULD DRIVE FOR 2-3 HOURS, THEN THE LOAE OF POWER OCCURED AGAIN ? HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10351609
Incident
Aug 20, 2010
Mileage
12,250 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 12, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WORKHORSE TRAILER MODEL W22. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD SUDDENLY FELL TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 46000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR CALIPERS FAILED AND THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 11/04/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10349065
Incident
Aug 4, 2010
Mileage
46,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 20, 2010
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 HOLIDAY RAMBLER RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2004 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT RESISTANCE. THERE WAS A BURNING BRAKE ODOR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE ABS SENSOR. THE WORKHORSE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE RELATED DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JUNE 11, 2007 THE VEHICLE THE CALIPERS, FRONT AND REAR BRAKE PADS, AND BRAKE LINE HOSES WERE REPLACED. THE FOUR ROTORS WERE ALSO TURNED. THE TOTAL REPAIR COST WAS $3,005.23. IN ADDITION, THE ABS SENSOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,238.

NHTSA ID
10344152
Incident
May 16, 2005
Mileage
20,238 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 12, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 DAMON INTRUDER RV EQUIPPED WITH A 2004 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WHEN THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED; THE FRONT BRAKES BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND THE REAR BRAKES WERE DRAGGING EMITTING A STRONG BURNING ODOR. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER TWO HOURS SO THAT THE BRAKES COULD COOL DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES AND CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V225000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT INFORMED THE DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL PART AVAILABILITY. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE UNCERTAINTY OF WHEN THE PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE AND THE SAFETY ISSUE ADDRESSED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000. UPDATED EVOQ 07/30/10*JB

NHTSA ID
10342652
Incident
Aug 11, 2009
Mileage
14,000 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.

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
2004Viewing341039.5
2003221041.4

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.