Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Workhorse W20
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Brakes
872.7%
Median failure at 17,600 miles
Wheels
19.1%
Median failure at 10,920 miles
Windows, Mirrors & Wipers
19.1%
Electrical System
19.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Sep 2007peak 3Jun 2009
NHTSA investigations into the 2004 Workhorse W20
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA07016Opened 16 Nov 2007Closed 19 Aug 2009SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPER
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 A...
PE07032Opened 25 Jun 2007Closed 19 Nov 2007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS
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...
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Penn Valley, CA
VISIBILITY
WE DO NOT FEEL THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ON OUR MOTORHOME HAS EVER BEEN LARGE ENOUGH OR CLEAR ENOUGH FOR EASY READING. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN UNHAPPY WITH THE VISIBILITY AND JUST RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION INDICATORS FOR 3 AND 1 GEAR HAVE FADED COMPLETELY. AT PRESENT WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PANEL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10275057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Penn Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
WE DO NOT FEEL THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER ON OUR MOTORHOME HAS EVER BEEN LARGE ENOUGH OR CLEAR ENOUGH FOR EASY READING. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN UNHAPPY WITH THE VISIBILITY AND JUST RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION INDICATORS FOR 3 AND 1 GEAR HAVE FADED COMPLETELY. AT PRESENT WE HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE PANEL REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10275057 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 38,133 milesLongwood, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
WHILE DRIVING ON US441 NEAR TAVARES FL GOT A WARNING LIGHT FOR ANTI LOCK BRAKES. PULLED OVER INTO A SHOPPING AREA. LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND RIGHT REAR DUAL WHEEL WERE HOT. RESTARTED ENGINE GOT A BRAKE FAILURE WARNING ON DASH MESSAGE CENTER. LET BRAKES COOL FOR APPROXIMATELY 90 MINUTES. DROVE HOME THEN TO WORKHORSE REPAIR CENTER WITHOUT FURTHER TROUBLE. COURTESY CHEVROLET REPLACED 4 ROTORS 4 CALIPERS 2 ANTI LOCK SENSOR AND REPLACED BRAKE FLUID.
NHTSA complaint #10247194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,920 milesAkron, OH
WHEELS
ON 9/6/07, THE L.F. BRAKE ON MY MOTORHOME SEIZED UP AND OVERHEATED THE BRAKE ROTOR FOR ALMOST 10 MILES UNTIL I NOTICED SEVERE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL & SMELLED "BURNT BRAKE LINING" WHEN I STOPPED. I WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CITY TRAFFIC NEAR ALLIANCE, OHIO; -NOT EXCESSIVE STOP AND GO, BUT THERE WAS MAYBE 4 RED LIGHTS OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MILES DISTANCE (AT 30 MPH) TO STOP. MY STOPPING WAS "NORMAL", NOT SUDDEN OR ERRATIC. THE LEFT FRONT HUB & WHEEL GOT SO HOT FROM THE CALIPER/BRAKE ASSY. SEIZING THAT IT BOILED AWAY ALL OF THE 90W LUBE ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND BLEW OUT THE RUBBER PLUG ON THE LUBE SIGHT GLASS. I LET IT COOL DOWN FOR AN HOUR, THEN LOOKED AT THE INNER SIDE OF THE L.F. WHEEL TO SEE IF I'D HAVE TO LOOSEN/PRY AWAY THE SEIZED BRAKE PAD OR CALIPER ASSEMBLY. SURPRISE, THE BRAKE PADS WERE ALREADY SITTING BACK AWAY FROM THE ROTOR; -THE CALIPER HAD APPARENTLY RETRACTED BY ITSELF AFTER COOLING DOWN. I PROCEEDED SLOWLY TO THE CAMPGROUND, 5 MILES AWAY, AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET SOME 90W LUBE OIL. LUBE WAS REPLACED THE NEXT DAY AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS STILL FELT GOOD; ANOTHER SIGHT CAP SEAL WAS INSTALLED. ON 9/12/07, I TOOK THE COACH TO MAINLINE TRUCK & TRAILER (A WORKHORSE CHASSIS SERVICE DEALER) IN SOLON, OHIO, FOR SERVICE. IN A NUTSHELL, I ENDED UP PAYING $828.28 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND SERVICE MY COACH FOR FUTURE "PEACE OF MIND". THE FOLLOWING WORK WAS PERFORMED: SERVICED ALL CALIPER SLIDE PINS, LUBE, & BOOTS ON ALL 4 WHEELS; CONFIRM CORRECT CALIPER OPERATION ON ALL 4; REPLACE ABS WHEEL SENSOR ON LEFT FRONT; RESET ABS WARNING LIGHT; INSPECT ALL 4 ROTORS FOR CRACKS; REPLACE LF WHEEL BEARING INNER SEAL; INSPECT LF BEARINGS; INSPECT REAR AXLE HUB SEALS; ETC. ON 9/18/08, AT 11,891 MILES, MY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE SEIZED UP UNEXPECTEDLY! THIS TIME ALONG A 45 MPH STATE HWY WITH VERY INFREQUENT BRAKING. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM HERE IS FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER AND OR THE BOSCH BRAKES. THEY DO NOT ALWAYS RELEASE THE CALIPERS. WORKHORSE IGNORES THIS PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #10243450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,920 milesAkron, OH
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
ON 9/6/07, THE L.F. BRAKE ON MY MOTORHOME SEIZED UP AND OVERHEATED THE BRAKE ROTOR FOR ALMOST 10 MILES UNTIL I NOTICED SEVERE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL & SMELLED "BURNT BRAKE LINING" WHEN I STOPPED. I WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL CITY TRAFFIC NEAR ALLIANCE, OHIO; -NOT EXCESSIVE STOP AND GO, BUT THERE WAS MAYBE 4 RED LIGHTS OVER THE COURSE OF 3 MILES DISTANCE (AT 30 MPH) TO STOP. MY STOPPING WAS "NORMAL", NOT SUDDEN OR ERRATIC. THE LEFT FRONT HUB & WHEEL GOT SO HOT FROM THE CALIPER/BRAKE ASSY. SEIZING THAT IT BOILED AWAY ALL OF THE 90W LUBE ON THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND BLEW OUT THE RUBBER PLUG ON THE LUBE SIGHT GLASS. I LET IT COOL DOWN FOR AN HOUR, THEN LOOKED AT THE INNER SIDE OF THE L.F. WHEEL TO SEE IF I'D HAVE TO LOOSEN/PRY AWAY THE SEIZED BRAKE PAD OR CALIPER ASSEMBLY. SURPRISE, THE BRAKE PADS WERE ALREADY SITTING BACK AWAY FROM THE ROTOR; -THE CALIPER HAD APPARENTLY RETRACTED BY ITSELF AFTER COOLING DOWN. I PROCEEDED SLOWLY TO THE CAMPGROUND, 5 MILES AWAY, AND MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO GET SOME 90W LUBE OIL. LUBE WAS REPLACED THE NEXT DAY AND THE WHEEL BEARINGS STILL FELT GOOD; ANOTHER SIGHT CAP SEAL WAS INSTALLED. ON 9/12/07, I TOOK THE COACH TO MAINLINE TRUCK & TRAILER (A WORKHORSE CHASSIS SERVICE DEALER) IN SOLON, OHIO, FOR SERVICE. IN A NUTSHELL, I ENDED UP PAYING $828.28 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE AND SERVICE MY COACH FOR FUTURE "PEACE OF MIND". THE FOLLOWING WORK WAS PERFORMED: SERVICED ALL CALIPER SLIDE PINS, LUBE, & BOOTS ON ALL 4 WHEELS; CONFIRM CORRECT CALIPER OPERATION ON ALL 4; REPLACE ABS WHEEL SENSOR ON LEFT FRONT; RESET ABS WARNING LIGHT; INSPECT ALL 4 ROTORS FOR CRACKS; REPLACE LF WHEEL BEARING INNER SEAL; INSPECT LF BEARINGS; INSPECT REAR AXLE HUB SEALS; ETC. ON 9/18/08, AT 11,891 MILES, MY RIGHT FRONT BRAKE SEIZED UP UNEXPECTEDLY! THIS TIME ALONG A 45 MPH STATE HWY WITH VERY INFREQUENT BRAKING. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM HERE IS FAULTY ABS CONTROLLER AND OR THE BOSCH BRAKES. THEY DO NOT ALWAYS RELEASE THE CALIPERS. WORKHORSE IGNORES THIS PROBLEM!
NHTSA complaint #10243450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,000 milesIssaquah, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE BRAKES WERE FADING SO I HAD THEM INSPECTED BY LES SCHWAB TIRES. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALL 4 ROTORS HAD CRACKS IN THEM AND THEY WERE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON THE 2004 SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME WORKHORSE CHASIS. I AM RESPONDING TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07016.
NHTSA complaint #10217086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,600 milesSanta Rosa Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
RIGHT FRONT DISC BRAKE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED OIL SEAL FAILURE RESULTING IN CONTAMINATION OF DISC BRAKE LINING CONTAMINATION AND REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.
NHTSA complaint #10216819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,600 milesSanta Rosa Beach, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT
RIGHT FRONT DISC BRAKE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED OIL SEAL FAILURE RESULTING IN CONTAMINATION OF DISC BRAKE LINING CONTAMINATION AND REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS.
NHTSA complaint #10216819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,100 milesMonterey, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS
THIS IS A BRAKE FAILURE ON ,MY 2004 ALLEGRO MOTORHOME BUILT ON A W-20 CHASSIS MANUFACTURED BY WORKJORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS. ON THE DATE IN QUESTION, THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE LOCKED UP AND OVERHEATED. THE LEFT REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED. THESE ACTIONS CAUSED REPLACEMENT OF THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER, ROTER, SEALS AND SLIDE PINS. THE CALIPER AND SLIDE PINS WERE REPLACED ON THE LEFT REAR BRAKE. THE CALIPERS AND SLIDE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKES WERE REPLACED DUE TO OVERHEATING. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AT AN AUTHORIZED WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER AND THE COAST CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST
NHTSA complaint #10202938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,506 milesLoudon, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
DRIVING RV NORMALLY ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN REQUIRED TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PUMPED VIGOROUSLY AND GOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEDAL. WHEN UNIT COOLED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY FOR REPAIR. LEFT REAR ROTOR WAS SCORED AND THE CALIPER WAS STICKING, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL. *JB UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10201868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,506 milesLoudon, TN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
DRIVING RV NORMALLY ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN REQUIRED TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PUMPED VIGOROUSLY AND GOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEDAL. WHEN UNIT COOLED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY FOR REPAIR. LEFT REAR ROTOR WAS SCORED AND THE CALIPER WAS STICKING, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL. *JB UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07
NHTSA complaint #10201868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.