RoadVitals

2001 Workhorse W20

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.
2
Latest Mar 19, 2007
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.
3
Latest Apr 3, 2009
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.
3
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Workhorse W20, most frequently naming the brakes and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

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

  • Brakes150.0%
  • Electrical150.0%

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

3 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
09V110000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Apr 3, 2009
48,876 units potentially affected
The defect: NAVISTAR IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR MY 2001-2008 WORKHORSE W20, W21 AND W22 CHASSIS AND CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2009 THROUGH 2011 MONACO RV ADMIRAL, ARISTA, MONARCH, AND RIPTIDE RECREATIONAL VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AXLES THAT INCLUDE BOSCH ZOPS OR ZOHT PIN SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED WITH OCCASIONAL OR SEASONAL VEHICLE OPERATION MAY EXPERIENCE CALIPERS STICKING IN THE APPLIED POSITION. THIS CAN RESULT IN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END CAUSING BRAKE DRAG. THE DRIVER WOULD NORMALLY HAVE WARNING OF THE BRAKE DRAG IF UNDETECTED BY THE DRIVER.
The risk: THE TEMPERATURE INCREASE AT THE WHEEL END CAN EVENTUALLY LEAD TO SOFT PEDAL CONDITIONS DUE TO BRAKE FLUID BOIL, AND POSSIBLE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: WORKHORSE DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR BOSCH BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-246-7731.
NAVISTAR, INCManufacturer number 50901-C & 51101-CView on NHTSA.gov
04V084000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Feb 18, 2004
10,235 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN MOTORHOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH ZOPS, THE PADS CAN DRAG ON THE ROTOR SURFACE DUE TO THE PIN SLIDE.
The risk: A HANG UP OR LOCK UP MAY CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO OVER HEAT AND NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP SAFELY. THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPAIR AND REPLACE ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY BOSCH (SEE CAMPAIGN 03E064000). THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773.
WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSISManufacturer number 50401-CView on NHTSA.gov
01V317000

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE

Oct 4, 2001
5,011 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS. THE REAR AXLE U-BOLTS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY DUE TO RANDOM FAILURE OF PRODUCTION TOOLING IN THE SPECIFIED TIME SPAN.
The risk: LOW U-BOLT TORQUE CAN RESULT IN U-BOLTS COMING LOOSE AND NOT PROPERLY RETAINING THE REAR AXLE TO THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE REAR AXLE U-BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-946-7731.
WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSISView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA07016ClosedEngineering Analysis

OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPER

Opened Nov 16, 2007
Closed Aug 19, 2009

THE EA WAS OPENED TO GAIN A TECHNICAL UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAUSES FOR ONE OR MORE DISC BRAKE CALIPERS ON A SUBJECT VEHICLE TO SUFFER SEVERE OVERHEATING. THE OVERHEATING CAUSED BRAKE DRAG, MELTING ABS SENSORS, SMOKING, BRAKE LINING FIRES, AND IN SOME CASES BOILING BRAKE FLUID RESULTING IN DIMINISHED STOPPING CAPABILITY.BASED ON TESTING, WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA ANALYSIS, FIELD TRIPS AND INTERVIEWS WITH OWNERS, MECHANICS AND SERVICE MANAGERS, ODI BELIEVES THE LIKELY CAUSE OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT IS WATER SWELL OF THE PHENOLIC CALIPER PISTON AND SUBSEQUENT FAILURE OF THE PISTON TO FULLY RETURN AFTER THE PEDAL IS RELEASED.A TECHNICAL REPORT IS ATTACHED WITH FULL DETAILS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICLed to recall 09V110000
PE07032ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS

Opened Jun 25, 2007
Closed Nov 19, 2007

ON JUNE 25, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPERS AND POOR BRAKE PERFORMANCE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS RECREATIONAL VEHICLES.CURRENTLY ODI IS AWARE OF 651 SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES (ODI AND WORKHORSE COMPLAINT POPULATION).ODI ANALYSIS OF THE WARRANTY AND COMPLAINT DATA FURNISHED BY WORKHORSE ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2007, IN RESPONSE TO ODI'S INFORMATION REQUEST INDICATES A DRAMATIC DROP IN BRAKE RELATED COMPLAINTS AFTER THE MAY 2004 BUILD DATE.AT THAT TIME, WORKHORSE INCORPORATED INTO PRODUCTION ZERK FITTINGS AND GREASING OF THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER'S BELL CRANK LINKAGE.ODI IS ALSO AWARE OF 3,782 UNIQUE WARRANTY COUNTS RELATED TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT POPULATION.A REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY CLAIMS REVEALS THAT OF THE CLAIMS FILED, ONLY 88 WERE SUBMITTED ON VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE MAY 2004 PRODUCTION LINE CHANGE (ADDITION OF ZERK FITTINGS).ODI INTENDS TO OBTAIN AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHY THERE ARE SEEMINGLY SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES IN THE COMPLAINT DATA AND WARRANTY CLAIMS BEFORE AND AFTER THE MAY 2004 DESIGN CHANGE AND THE SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF THE PRE-CHANGE DESIGN. THIS INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-016) FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
EA03003ClosedEngineering Analysis

OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES

Opened Apr 9, 2003
Closed Mar 3, 2004

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS DERIVED FROM INFORMATION GATHERED DURING PE02-046, BOSCH DISC BRAKE CALIPERS.THIS INVESTIGATION FOCUSED ON THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER, NEWMAR.SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE THOSE BUILT WITH A HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM INCORPORATING THE BOSCH ZERO OFFSET PIN SLIDE (ZOPS) CALIPERS.ODI'SCONCERN WASEXCESSIVE WHEEL END HEAT, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A WHEEL END FIRE.DURING THE INVESTIGATION, ODI DISCOVERED TWO SPECIFIC NEWMAR VEHICLE MODELS, THOSE BUILT ON NEWMAR CHASSIS AND THOSE BUILT ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. AS A RESULT OF THE AGENY'S INVESTIGATION INTO THIS MATTER, ALL NEWMAROWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED (04V-019) AND THE REMEDY WILL BE APPLIED TO THEIR VEHICLES. SOME NEWMAR VEHICLES (1,795) BUILT ON THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS ARE BEING RECALLED BY WORKHORSE (04V-084).THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.FURTHER DETAILS ARE PROVIDED ON PAGES 2, 3, AND 4.COPIES OF BOTH SAFETY RECALLS ARE ATTACHED.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTSLed to recall 04V019000

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Mar 19, 2007

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 WINNEBAGO. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DRAGGING. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND ABS. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED A BRAKE REPAIR KIT ON 11/4/04, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME BRAKE FAILURE AND BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICE FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41000. *AK UPDATE 4/19/2007 *TR

NHTSA ID
10185555
Incident
Mar 1, 2007
Mileage
41,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 14, 2005

I OWN A 2001 SAFARI TREK, BUILT ON A 17000 GVW WORKHORSE CHASSIS. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) IN THE CENTER LANE OF HIGHWAY 99 IN FRESNO CA. MY CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED (THE FIRST SIGN) AND I RESET IT. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, THE GAUGES FAILED, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAME ON. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORHOME TO A COMPLETE STOP, ALL THE WAY OFF THE ROAD. AS IT TURNS OUT, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED INTERNALLY, CAUSING EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE AND HEAT IN THE PINK POWER WIRE WHICH FEEDS THE CHASSIS PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE MAIN PROBLEM, BESIDES SUDDENLY LOOSING POWER, IS THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE COMES ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN THEN VEHICLE IS PUT INTO PARK. WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED, THE POWER TO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILED, AND IT CAME ON, FULL FORCE, AT SEVENTY MILES AND HOUR! IF I HAD BEEN TIRED, OR THE ROAD CONDITIONS BEEN RAINY, CURVY, ICY ETC, THINGS MAY HAVE TURNED OUT VERY, VERY BAD. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING SLOWER, OR HAD A LIGHTER VEHICLE, I AND MY FAMILY MIGHT HAVE WOUND UP STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. I WOUND UP LITERALLY HOT WIRING THE VEHICLE TO GET HOME, AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED TWO MORE TIMES BECAUSE THE CONNECTION THAT I HAD TO RIG UP, KEPT COMING LOOSE. FROM MY EXPERIENCE, IT ONLY TAKES A VERY SHORT ,INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER TO TRIGGER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I AM AN ASE CERTIFIED AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, AND WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ASSISTANCE IN RESOLVING THIS ISSUE. PERSONALLY, I AM GOING TO RE-WIRE IT SOMEHOW TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN. *JB

NHTSA ID
10136426
Incident
Sep 11, 2005
Mileage
35,888 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Workhorse W20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008010—
2007010—
2006320—
2005322—
2004722—
2003111235.8
2002623—
2001Viewing233—
2000112—

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.