RoadVitals

2005 Workhorse W22

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.
21
Latest Feb 18, 2015
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.
1
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 21 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Workhorse W22, most frequently naming the brakes, electrical and visibility categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 1 NHTSA investigation names 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

  • Brakes2090.9%
  • Electrical14.5%
  • Visibility14.5%

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

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
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
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 21
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Feb 18, 2015

THE INSTRUMENT LED STARTED TO MALFUNCTION .CAN'T READ WHAT GEAR THE MOTORHOME IS IN OR ANY OF THE OTHER FUNCTIONS THAT ARE DISPLAYED,OIL PRESSURE, LOW OIL. IT STARTED GRADUALLY NOW ITS TO THE POINT THAT YOU CAN'T READ THE DISPLAY ESPECIALLY WHAT GEAR (REVERSE .NEUTRAL,DRIVE). SOMEONE CAN GET SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF IT, OR DESTROY THE COACH OR ENGINE BECAUSE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO READ THE MESSAGE BOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10684106
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
19,500 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 WORKHORSE W22 RV. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE SMELLED BURNING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE CALIPER ASSEMBLIES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,000....UPDATED 10/17/12 *BF UPDATED 10/19/2012 *JS

NHTSA ID
10471186
Incident
Jul 11, 2012
Mileage
25,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 14, 2012

2005 WORKHORSE W22 MOTORHOME. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL CONCERNING STICKING BRAKE CALIPERS *TGW WHILE REPLACING THE CALIPERS, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THREE OF THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE CRACKED. THE CONSUMER FELT IT WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE BRAKE ROTORS AND CONSTITUTED A SAFETY HAZARD.

NHTSA ID
10452014
Incident
Mar 1, 2012
Brakes
Filed Oct 29, 2011

I HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON THIS MOTORHOME AND THE MECHANIC SHOWED ME FRONT ROTORS WERE BOTH CRACKED AND REMINDED ME OF THE BOSCH CALIPER RECALL. I CHECKED MY VIN # ON WORKHORSE WEB SITE AND IT SHOWED THE RECALL FOR MY CHASSIS. I TOOK IT TO BOB STALL CHEVROLET IN SAN DIEGO TO HANDLE THE RECALL. I WAS INFORMED WORKHORSE DENIED THE ROTORS WERE DAMAGED BY THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CALIPERS NOT RELEASING AND OVERHEATING AND CRACKING THE ROTORS. I HAVE NEVER EVEN SMELT HOT BRAKES ON THIS MOTORHOME SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. I WAS SURPRISED TO SEE CRACKED ROTORS ESPECIALLY THIS SIZE OF ROTORS. I HAVE DONE ALL MY OWN VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FOR THE LAST 35 YEARS INCLUDING MANY BRAKE JOBS. I HAVE RARELY EVEN HAD TO TURN ROTORS ON ANY OF MY AUTOS,B USUALLY JUST CHANGE PADS OR SHOES. I AM EXTREMELY CONSCIOUS OF HOW I USE MY BRAKES ESPECIALLY ON THE MOTORHOME AS THIS IS MY THIRD ONE IN 20 YEARS. I HAD A BOUNDER ON A FORD CHASSIS FOR TEN YEARS PRIOR TO THIS WORKHORSE AND I CHANGED THE PADS AT 40K MILES WITH NO ISSUES WITH ROTORS OR CALIPERS. MY PROBLEM IS THAT I AM PAYING $1600.00 TO HAVE NEW ROTORS AND PADS WITH SEALS ON A 5 YEAR OLD CHASSIS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE ESPECIALLY FOR SOMETHING I PAID $130,000.00 FOR. I BELIEVE THESE ROTORS WERE EITHER DAMAGED BY STICKING CALIPERS OR UNEVEN TEMPERING DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THESE ROTORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10433540
Incident
Oct 21, 2011
Mileage
31,300 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 11, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NATIONAL SEA BREEZE LX RV WITH A WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA ID NUMBER: 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL IN 2010. ON A LATER DATE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE, THE BRAKES AND FRONT WHEELS BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES NOW. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY DRIVER ERROR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,751 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,700.

NHTSA ID
10381587
Incident
May 15, 2010
Mileage
14,751 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 17, 2010

2005 WORKHORSE W22 CHASSIS. WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER. CONSUMER STATES BRAKE FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN SEPTEMBER 2009 WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKES FAILED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE BEGAN TO SMELL THE BRAKES BURNING. THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE FRONT WHEELS WERE TOO HOT TO TOUCH AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE HOT AS WELL. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL WORKHORSE FACILITY. THEY REPLACED A CRACKED CALIPER, BUT DID NOTHING TO THE BRAKES. IN AUGUST 2010, THE BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. THE RV WAS TOWED TO A WORKHORSE FACILITY. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT CALIPERS, FRONT CENTER CAPS AND THREE ABS SENSORS. A CLAIM WAS SUBMITTED TO WORKHORSE, BUT THE IT WAS DENIED. WORKHORSE STATED THE BRAKE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALL RELATED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10366294
Incident
Sep 1, 2009
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2010

CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING 2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE TOOK THE RV IN FOR SERVICE, HE ADVISED THE TECHNICIAN THAT THERE WAS AN ODOR AND SMOKE COMING FROM THE BRAKE SYSTEM DURING LIGHT AND HEAVY BRAKING. AFTER INSPECTION, THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE IN FACT DEFECTIVE. THEY ALSO DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS WERE HEAT DAMAGED TO THE POINT THAT THE RV WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ALSO, THE BRAKE PADS WERE HEAT DAMAGED AND PREMATURELY WORN OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED HE WOULD LIKE WORKHORSE TO FULFILL THEIR OBLIGATIONS REGARDING THE RECALL ON THE BOSCH BRAKE CALIPERS AND THE RESULTING DAMAGE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10366058
Incident
Sep 27, 2010
Brakes
Filed Oct 4, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 MONACO SIMBA RV EQUIPPED WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. THERE WAS A RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR RECALL REPAIRS WAS ON A MASSIVE BACKORDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS THE 144TH PERSON ON THE WAITING LIST FOR THE PART AND WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVED BEFORE BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID
10359104
Incident
Sep 28, 2010

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Workhorse W22 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011020—
2009200—
2008410—
2007510—
2006830—
2005Viewing213158.5
2004922152.0
20031131151.4
2002672260.8
2001103260.0
2000111—

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.