Workhorse W20 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
33 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
17,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2000 to 2008 model years. Data snapshot: . 31 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 19 of 33 complaints (57.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 31 | 93.9% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 6.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 19 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 4 |
| Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 2 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 19; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper: 4; Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 2; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 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 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 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: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 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 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 2 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 |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 4 |
2004: 2; 2005: 1; 2006: 3; 2007: 5; 2008: 13; 2009: 5; 2010: 4
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 31 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10090362 · 2004-09-03 (September 3, 2004)
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LOCKED UP WITHOUT INCIDENT. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND AS OF TODAY HAS NOT RECEIVED A RETURNED PHONE CALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10090362 at NHTSA ↗
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 10243450 · 2008-09-25 (September 25, 2008)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,920 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10172793 · 2006-11-06 (November 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
Owner-reported narrative. 760 miles reported. Look up ODI 10172793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10275057 · 2009-06-26 (June 26, 2009)
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. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10275057 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 3 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 2 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
2000: 1; 2001: 3; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2004: 2; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 1; 2008: 1