33 of the
38 complaints filed about the Workhorse W20
are about the braking system —
87% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2003.
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 complaint #10367127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 complaint #10359531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER WITH A WORKHORSE W20 CHASSIS MOTOR HOME (RV). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR THE BRAKES TO COOL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY EIGHT TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKES WERE BLED AT EACH FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V084000 (SERVICE BRAKES) AND CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN EITHER RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,392 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,944.
NHTSA complaint #10339361 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W20. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY WHEN HE DEPRESSED IT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BECAUSE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT HE WOULD BE CHARGED FOR IT. WHEN THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, HE WAS TOLD THAT THE BRAKE COMPANY WAS OUT OF BUSINESS AND THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WERE NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 13,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,000.
NHTSA complaint #10324026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10273846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2ND OCCURRENCE OF BRAKE STICKING / DRAG DURING THIS TRIP. R REAR BRAKE DID NOT RELEASE AFTER BRAKING CAUSING DRAG & OVERHEATING. THIS (AND THE PREVIOUS REPORTED INCIDENT) OCCURRED AFTER GOING THROUGH A SECTION OF IN-TOWN STOP & GO TRAFFIC & STOP LIGHTS. THIS OCCURRENCE WAS RECOGNIZED QUICKLY AND WAS NOT AS SEVERE AS THE PREVIOUS ONE. I WAS ABLE TO COOL THE BRAKES DOWN AND THEY RELEASED.
NHTSA complaint #10262913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BRAKE FAILURE - LOCKUP OF FRONT BRAKE CALIPER / ROTOR CAUSING OVERHEATING AND BRAKE FAILURE. NO SERIOUS INJURY RESULTED. CAUSED TRIP DELAY AND SIGNIFICANT COST TO REPAIR REPLACE BRAKE COMPONENTS AFFECTED. DEALER INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED SIGNIFICANT OVERHEATING AND CRACKING OF THE FRONT ROTORS AND RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF SAME AND PADS & SEALS AT A COST OF APPROX $900. THIS UNIT WAS PURCHASED USED WITH APPROX 37600 MILES AT WHICH TIME THE DEALER (WH SERVICE CENTER) INSPECTED AND REPLACE BRAKE PADS ON ALL 4 WHEELS. THIS UNIT IS STORED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AT A TIME BUT HAS ALWAYS BEEN INSIDE STORAGE AND THE UNIT IS NOT DRIVEN IN WINTER WEATHER.
NHTSA complaint #10262068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LTR FROM CONGRESSMAN BISHOP ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE AN UPDATE ON AN INQUIRY HE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED RE W20 AND W22 CHASSIS BRAKES. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS OVERHEATED. THE BOILING BRAKE FLUID ALSO LEAD TO THE BRAKE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10259068 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WORKHORSE W20. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR HOME CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL # 04V084000. THE BRAKES OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED THE REAR SPEED SENSOR. THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED AND THE SPEED SENSOR ON THE LEFT SIDE WAS REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING, THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP AND THE MOTOR HOME HAD TO E TOWED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE REAR CALIPER WAS FROZEN. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE BRAKES SEIZED AND THE ABS SENSOR BURNED OUT. THE LEFT FRONT CALIPERS HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE LEFT FRONT WHEELS SPEED SENSOR AS WELL AS THE HUB SEAL. UPDATED 02/09/09 *CN UPDATED 02/10/09.
NHTSA complaint #10252092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10250965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER AND HAD CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V019000 COMPLETED ON 10-26-04. NOW LESS THAN 10,000 MILES SINCE THEN, IT IS BACK AT THE SERVICE CENTER AFTER BRAKE FIRE AND PEDAL LOSS. VEHICLE IS IN NEED OF ROTORS, CALIPERS AND WHEEL SPEED SENSOR.
NHTSA complaint #10239616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARTIAL LOCKUP OF REAR CALIPERS ON A 2003 WORKHORSE W-20 CHASSIS ON A 2004 FLEETWOOD FLAIR 33R MOTORHOME AFTER TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES ON RELATIVELY FLAT HIGHWAY ENTERING TRAFFIC WITH STOPLIGHTS. AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES IN THE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, A SLIGHT 'BRAKE SMELL' WAS NOTICED. THIS WAS APPROXIMATELY 10 MILES FROM HOME. I GOT OUT AND CHECKED THE WHEELS AND BOTH REAR WHEELS WERE HOT TO THE TOUCH. AT APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FROM HOME THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, I PUMPED THE PEDAL A FEW TIMES AND HAD BRAKES. I LIMPED HOME IN THIS CONDITION. PARKED AT HOME I NOTICED THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS HOT, THE BRAKE LINE TO THE REAR BRAKES WAS HOT, A SENSOR HAD MELTED OFF THE RIGHT REAR DUAL, AND A LENGTH (APPROX. 18 INCHES) OF FINE, COILED, COPPER WIRE WAS HANGING FROM THE CALIPER. TO ME IT LOOKED LIKE IT CAME OUT OF THE MELTED SENSOR. THE LEFT WHEEL WAS HOT, AND NOTHING WAS MELTED. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO GET IT LOOKED AT ON 8/26/08.
NHTSA complaint #10239439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE MY 2003 FLEETWOOD SOUTHWIND MOTOR HOME ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS WAS IN FOR A RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (ABS) I WAS INFORMED THAT MY BRAKE FLUID HAD OVER HEATED AND THE BRAKE SYSTEM REQUIRED REPLACEMENT (CALIPERS, PADS, ROTORS). ACCORDING TO THE DEALER THE FLUID OVERHEATED, TURNED TO A JELLY AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE PISTONS TO RETRACT AFTER THE BRAKES HAD BEEN APPLIED. WORHORSE WAS CONTACTED BY DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. I RETAINED 2 OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS AFTER REPAIRS WERE COMPLETE. RELATED TO NHTSA EA07016.
NHTSA complaint #10233626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAD A BRAKE RECALL DONE ON OUR 2002 ITASCA SUNCRUISER MOTORHOME (W20 CHASSIS IN JAN 2005, MILEAGE 9141. WHILE ON VACATION IN JULY 2005, THE BRAKES OVERHEATED AND REPAIRS WERE AUTHORIZED BY WORKHORSE AT NO CHARGE AT MILEAGE 9,687. EXPERIENCED OVERHEATING AGAIN IN SEPTEMBER 2007 AT MILEAGE 28819. REPAIRS DONE AT OUR EXPENSE - REPLACE REAR ROTOR, WHEEL SEAL AND BRAKE PADS, ABS RING, REAR ABS SENSOR. AFTER 249 MILES, REAR BRAKE OVERHEATED AT MILEAGE 29,068, CHECKED FOR DAMAGE DUE TO OVERHEATING BUT THERE WAS NONE. HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR TO MAKE THIS DETERMINATION.
NHTSA complaint #10233082 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WE HAVE A 2003 MOTORHOME WITH A W20 WORKHORSE FRAME. I HAVE LOST THE HYDRAULIC BRAKES DUE TO THE FLUID BOILING TWICE DURING NORMAL DRIVING ON LEVEL ROADS (NO HILLS OR MOUNTAINS) BOTH TIMES THE HEAT DESTROYED THE ABS WHEEL SENSORS.
NHTSA complaint #10225639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
REAR BRAKES OVERHEATING. NO COMPLETE FAILURE. ONLY CAUSED LOSS OF RV VACATION AND MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD TO ALLOW COOL DOWN. DELIVERED TO MECHANIC FOR FLUID CHANGE AND CHECKING AND LUBRICATING OF CALIPERS. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED 10 MONTHS LATER.
NHTSA complaint #10220759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.