RoadVitals

2006 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 Nov 22, 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.
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 3 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Workhorse W20, most frequently naming the brakes and steering categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

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

  • Brakes266.7%
  • Steering133.3%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

Brakes
Filed Nov 22, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 MONACO COACH MONARCH SE RV EQUIPPED WITH A WORKHORSE W20 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED ON OCTOBER 26, 2010. THE DEALER RETURNED THE VEHICLE WITH THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR CRACKED AND THE PAD HAD 30% LEFT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OTHER BRAKES WERE AT 70% WITH NO CRACKS. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO HAD NOT RESPONDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 24,000.

NHTSA ID
10367127
Incident
Oct 26, 2010
Mileage
24,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 15, 2009

WHILE DRIVING ON THE DC BELTWAY IN TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING. PUMPING THE PEDAL GAVE ENOUGH POWER TO STOP VEHICLE. ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. STOPPED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD. BRAKES WERE VERY HOT. DISCONNECTED CAR WE WERE TOWING AND ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE. BRAKES DID COOL OFF AND RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TOWED THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. RV WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SHOP ABOUT 5 MILES FROM CAMPGROUND. THEY SAID THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND COULD "PATCH" IT UNTIL WORKHORSE CAME OUT WITH A FIX. *TR

NHTSA ID
10273846
Incident
Jun 13, 2009
Mileage
12,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 6, 2006

THE STEERING ON MY 2007/2006 WORKHORSE W-20 CHASSIS IS EXTREMELY/DANGEROUSLY LOOSE IN THAT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE SAFELY DURING MINIMAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF WINDS AND PASSING VEHICLES. I COMPARE THIS VEHICLE TO THREE OTHER MOTORHOMES WITH WORKHORSE CHASSIS AND 110,000 + MILES OF ACCIDENT FREE DRIVING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10172793
Incident
Jul 31, 2006
Mileage
760 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Workhorse W20 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2008010—
2007010—
2006Viewing320—
2005322—
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.