RoadVitals

2006 Workhorse W18

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.
1
Latest Nov 5, 2008
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.
2
Latest Aug 28, 2008
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2006 Workhorse W18, most frequently naming the brakes category. 2 safety recalls have 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

  • Brakes1100.0%

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

2 campaigns 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
08V442000

STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT PITMAN

Aug 28, 2008
5,606 units potentially affected
The defect: WORKHORSE IS RECALLING 5,606 MY 2006-2008 W42 COMMERCIAL CHASSIS AND W18 RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CHASSIS. THE CASTLE NUT THAT RETAINS THE STEERING DRAG LINK TO THE PITMAN ARM MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY TORQUED DURING ASSEMBLY. THE IMPROPER TORQUE MAY HAVE DAMAGED THE CASTLE NUT AND COMPROMISED THE INTEGRITY OF THE CONNECTION.
The risk: IF THE DRAG LINK WERE TO SEPARATE FROM THE PITMAN ARM, THE DRIVER WOULD NOT HAVE DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE AND PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE CASTLE NUT THAT RETAINS THE STEERING DRAG LINK TO THE PITMAN ARM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-946-7731 OR AT HTTP://WWW.NAVISTAR.COM.
WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSISManufacturer number 20801-CView on NHTSA.gov
06V225000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Jun 20, 2006
30,335 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTOR HOME AND TRUCK CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH GENERAL MOTORS 8.1L V8 ENGINES, IMPROPER HARDENING DURING THE HEAT TREATMENT PROCESS CAN CAUSE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIP TO FRACTURE, RESULTING IN INADEQUATE RETENTION OF THE DAMPER. IF THE DAMPER BECOMES LOOSE, FUEL COULD BE PUMPED BY THE FUEL PUMP INTO THE UNDER HOOD AREA.
The risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD RESULT.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL PULSE DAMPER RETAINER CLIPS ON THESE ENGINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 877-294-6773.
WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSISManufacturer number 60601-CView on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Nov 5, 2008

WE HAVE A 2006 FLEETWOOD FIESTA ON A WORKHORSE W18 CHASSIS. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 9000 MILES ON IT. WE HAD OUR CHASSIS IN FOR MAINTENANCE IN JUNE 2008 INCLUDING ROTATING THE TIRES WITH 8380 MILES ON IT AT THAT TIME AND REQUESTED THAT THEY CHECK THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE AS IT WAS SQUEALING. THE SERVICE CENTER CHECKED BRAKES ALL AROUND. REMOVED RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PADS TO CHECK FOR CRACKS OR HEAT SPOTS AND NONE WERE FOUND. YESTERDAY WE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAME SERVICE CENTER FOR A RECALL ON THE STEERING AND AGAIN ASKED THEM TO CHECK THE BRAKES. THEY NOW SAY THAT ALL FOUR BRAKES MUST BE REPLACED AS THEY ARE ALL HEAT CRACKED. THEY TOLD ME THAT WORKHORSE WILL NOT WARRANT THIS. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT ALL FOUR BRAKES SHOULD BE HEAT CRACKED AT A LITTLE OVER 9000 MILES UNLESS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURE OF THE BRAKES THEMSELVES. I SEE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING WORKHORSE W20 BRAKES FOR 2000-2005 IN YOUR ACTION PE07032. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT YOU EXPAND YOUR INVESTIGATION TO THE 2006 W18 CHASSIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10247803
Incident
Nov 5, 2008
Mileage
9,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

20801-C

STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT; STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

WORKHORSE CHASSIS: STEERING ARM CASTLE NUT. THE MODELS MAY HAVE HAD A DRAG LINK TO STEERING ARM CASTLE NUT STRIPPED FROM AN OVER TORQUE CONDITION. *PE

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 W18 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008010—
2007210—
2006Viewing120—
2005010—

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.