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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Workhorse W20 Recalls & Complaints

The 2001 Workhorse W20 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 2 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Workhorse dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Workhorse W20. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Workhorse W20 owner complaints

Owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Workhorse W20, describing incidents dated September 11, 2005 to March 1, 2007.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Service Brakes 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10185555 · Filed

    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…

  • ODI #10136426 · Filed

    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…

Read all 2 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2001 Workhorse W20 in 3 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS/BOSCH/WORKHORSE

NHTSA #09V110000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported April 3, 2009 · NAVISTAR, INC

Potentially affected: 48,876 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 50901-C & 51101-C · Owners notified September 16, 2010 · Vehicles built July 24, 2000 – December 19, 2007 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

WORKHORSE RECALL NO. 50901-C AND 51101-C.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

WORKHORSE/BOSCH ZOPS BRAKE CALIPERS

NHTSA #04V084000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA notice

Reported February 18, 2004 · WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS

Potentially affected: 10,235 vehicles

Workhorse campaign 50401-C · Owners notified August 1, 2004 · Vehicles built August 10, 2000 – June 29, 2002 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MOTORHOME CHASSIS EQUIPPED WITH BOSCH ZOPS, THE PADS CAN DRAG ON THE ROTOR SURFACE DUE TO THE PIN SLIDE.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

WORKHORSE RECALL NO. 50401-C.CUSTOMER'S CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

WORKHORSE/REAR AXLE U-BOLTS

NHTSA #01V317000 · Suspension — Rear — Springs — Leaf Spring Assembly — U-Bolt, Leaf Spring to Axle · NHTSA notice

Reported October 4, 2001 · WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS

Potentially affected: 5,011 vehicles

Owners notified October 10, 2001 · Vehicles built April 1, 2001 – July 30, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Workhorse W20 model years

Check your 2001 Workhorse W20 VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Workhorse W20 at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Workhorse VIN