RoadVitals

2005 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.
3
Latest Oct 7, 2010
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 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.
2
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
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Workhorse W20, most frequently naming the brakes category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 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

  • Brakes3100.0%

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
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
06V148000

STEERING

May 2, 2006
3,881 units potentially affected
The defect: CERTAIN CHASSIS MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE SPLINE CAN STRIP WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.
The risk: THIS STEERING CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773.
WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSISManufacturer number 20601-CView 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

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Oct 7, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS (RECALLED PART) COULD ALSO CAUSED FAILURES WITHIN THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHICH WERE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA ID
10359531
Incident
Oct 5, 2010
Mileage
29,196 mi
Brakes
Filed Dec 6, 2008

BRAKES OVER-HEATED, LOCKED UP AND FAILED. AFTER A LONG COOL-DOWN PERIOD, THE BRAKE CALIPERS RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250965
Incident
Nov 30, 2008
Mileage
13,666 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 12, 2006
1 injury reported

FOR THE 3RD TIME IN ONE YEAR, THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE HAS LOCKED ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ANYWHERE FROM 30-65 MPH. THIS RESULTS IN RAPID DECELERATION AND THEN LEAVES YOU STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE LAST CASE, LAST MONTH, THE DECELERATION WAS SO QUICK THAT MY SON HIT HIS FACE ON THE DINING TABLE OF THE RV AND CUT HIS LIP OPEN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10159661
Incident
May 29, 2006
Mileage
4,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Workhorse W20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008010—
2007010—
2006320—
2005Viewing322—
2004722—
2003111235.8
2002623—
2001233—
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.