2001 Workhorse W20: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
2 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
38,444 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 2 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 2 | 100.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 50.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 50.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 0 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2007: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10136426 · 2005-09-14 (September 14, 2005)
I OWN A 2001 SAFARI TREK, BUILT ON A 17000 GVW WORKHORSE CHASSIS. I WAS TRAVELING AT THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT (70 MPH) IN THE CENTER LANE OF HIGHWAY 99 IN FRESNO CA. MY CRUISE CONTROL DISENGAGED (THE FIRST SIGN) AND I RESET IT. SEVERAL MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE LOST POWER, THE GAUGES FAILED, AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CAME ON. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO BRING THE MOTORHOME TO A COMPLETE STOP, ALL THE WAY OFF THE ROAD. AS IT TURNS OUT, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILED INTERNALLY, CAUSING EXCESSIVE RESISTANCE AND HEAT IN THE PINK POWER WIRE WHICH FEEDS THE CH…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,888 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136426 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10185555 · 2007-03-19 (March 19, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 WINNEBAGO. THE CONTACT SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, AND STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE DRAGGING. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND ABS. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURER INSTALLED A BRAKE REPAIR KIT ON 11/4/04, BUT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME BRAKE FAILURE AND BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICE FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41000. *AK UPDATE 4/19/2007 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 41,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10185555 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
01V317000 · Suspension:Rear:Springs:Leaf Spring Assembly:U-Bolt, Leaf Spring To Axle
Reported: 2001-10-04 (October 4, 2001)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MOTOR HOME AND COMMERCIAL CHASSIS. THE REAR AXLE U-BOLTS MAY NOT BE TIGHTENED CORRECTLY DUE TO RANDOM FAILURE OF PRODUCTION TOOLING IN THE SPECIFIED TIME SPAN.
Consequence: LOW U-BOLT TORQUE CAN RESULT IN U-BOLTS COMING LOOSE AND NOT PROPERLY RETAINING THE REAR AXLE TO THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE REAR AXLE U-BOLTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN OCTOBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-946-7731.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V084000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)
ON CERTAIN MOTORHOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH ZOPS, THE PADS CAN DRAG ON THE ROTOR SURFACE DUE TO THE PIN SLIDE.
Consequence: A HANG UP OR LOCK UP MAY CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO OVER HEAT AND NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP SAFELY. THIS COULD CAUSE OVERHEATING OF THE BRAKE CALIPERS WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, REPAIR AND REPLACE ACCORDING TO THE PROCEDURE DEVELOPED BY BOSCH (SEE CAMPAIGN 03E064000). THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V110000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2009-04-03 (April 3, 2009)
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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗