2002 Workhorse W22 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
26,293 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 43 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 60 of 67 complaints (89.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 62 | 92.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 1.5% |
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 | 60 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch | 1 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 60; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4; Service Brakes: 2; Electrical System: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 1; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch: 1; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Abs Warning Light: 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 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 19 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 24 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 | 2 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 23 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 15; 2009: 18; 2010: 23; 2011: 4; 2019: 2; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 62 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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 10136999 · 2005-09-19 (September 19, 2005)
PASSENGER REAR BRAKE WAS DRAGGING. RECALL 04V084000 WAS ISSUED IN JANUARY. HE TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO GET THE BRAKES CHECKED, AND THEY FIXED THE ONE THAT WAS DRAGGING. IN JUNE OTHER THREE BRAKES STARTED DRAGGING DUE TO SAME RECALL PROBLEM, IN JULY DEALER REPLACED OTHER THREE BRAKE CALIBERS BUT ONLY CLEANED BRAKE ROTORS. CURRENTLY, HE WAS TOLD TO BRING MOTOR HOME FOR SAME RECALL. MANUFACTURER KEPT SAYING BRING IT IN AND WE WILL LOOK AT IT. DEALER SAID THE CALIPERS WERE GETTING HOT, AND THEY REPLACED THEM, AND NEW BRAKE PADS WERE ADDED. CA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10136999 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10205232 · 2007-10-09 (October 9, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WORKHORSE W22 HOLIDAY RAMBLER. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR BRAKE CALIBER OVERHEATED AND BOILED THE BRAKE FLUID. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,775. *UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED REPLACED EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 17,775 miles reported. Look up ODI 10205232 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10285045 · 2009-09-23 (September 23, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 HOLIDAY RAMBLER VACATIONER. THE CONTACT STATED HEAT BUILDS UP IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CALIPERS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE REPAIR HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS AND THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INOPERATIVE. HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 15,000. CONSUMER IS UPDATING INFORMATION. 10/15/09 *NJ THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER ALL…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10285045 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10240549 · 2008-09-01 (September 1, 2008)
1. RANDOM LOCK UP OF VEHICLE BRAKES 2. OCCURRED SEPTEMBER 2006 AND AGAIN IN AUGUST 2008. EXTREME VEHICLE VIBRATION AND LOSS OF STEERING. BRAKES SMOKE AND BECOME EXTREMELY HOT. 3. VEHICLE CHECKED BY LES SCHWAAB TIRE STORE AND AUTHORIZED GM REPAIR CENTER. CHARGED FOR INSPECTION. NEITHER SHOP COULD DIAGNOSE CAUSE OR REPAIR NEEDED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 26,293 miles reported. Look up ODI 10240549 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10355684 · 2010-09-15 (September 15, 2010)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 WORKHORSE W22. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE SERVICES LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND THE BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 01/04/11*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10355684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10244500 · 2008-10-06 (October 6, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NEWMAR MOUNTAIN AIRE WITH A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE BRAKE SEIZURES WITH HIS BRAKE CALIPERS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE FAILURE MELTED THE ABS WIRING AND NEARLY STARTED A FIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE BRAKES. THE REPAIR CENTER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $3,000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR EVEN IF THE REPAIR WAS MA…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10244500 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10269910 · 2009-05-26 (May 26, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER RV, MODEL 35U. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON THE VEHICLE. IN OCTOBER OF 2008, THE BRAKES FAILED AND NEARLY CAUSED A CRASH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND A LAWYER AND WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN PENNSYLVANIA. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IN OHIO. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED AT A STORAGE FACILITY SINCE OCTOBER 10, 2008 AND HAD TO BE TOWED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10269910 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10356489 · 2010-09-22 (September 22, 2010)
2002 WORKHORSE CHASSIS DOLPHIN MOTORHOME. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE STALLING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE RV HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY TOWED, SERVICED AND EVEN REPAIRED ONLY TO ENCOUNTER THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITH NO WARNING. WITHIN A PERIOD OF 10 SECONDS, THE POWER BRAKES AND STEERING BECAME UNRELIABLE AND THE ACCELERATOR WENT TO THE FLOOR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10356489 at NHTSA ↗