NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Workhorse W20 Recalls & Complaints

The 2002 Workhorse W20 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 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 2002 Workhorse W20. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 Workhorse W20 owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Workhorse W20, describing incidents dated October 19, 2004 to August 17, 2008.

Most-cited components

Service Brakes 6 complaints

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a fire (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10339361 · Filed June 21, 2010
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…
ODI #10324026 · Filed April 6, 2010
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…
ODI #10252092 · Filed December 17, 2008
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…

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 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.

Engineering Analysis EA07-016: OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPER
Closed August 19, 2009
- Recall 09V-110
- Recall 09V-186
- Recall 09V-193
- Recall 09V-198
- Recall 09V-204
- Recall 09V-206
- and 1 more on the investigation page
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-032: OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERS
Closed November 19, 2007
Engineering Analysis EA03-003: OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKES
Closed March 3, 2004
- Recall 04V-019

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).

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2002 Workhorse W20. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

6 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Workhorse W20.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10339361

Incident: October 19, 2004 · Filed: June 21, 2010

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10324026

Incident: May 27, 2008 · Filed: April 6, 2010

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10252092

Incident: May 17, 2006 · Filed: December 17, 2008

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. *JB

Service Brakes, Air

ODI #10239616

Fire

Incident: August 17, 2008 · Filed: August 25, 2008

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. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10233082

Incident: September 10, 2007 · Filed: July 2, 2008

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. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10177222

Incident: December 27, 2006 · Filed: December 28, 2006

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED HAD RECALL BRAKE WORK DONE WITH 31260 MILES ON VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPAIRED ONLY THE FRONT BRAKED UNDER THE RECALL AND NOT THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS FOR BOTH FRONT AND REAR BRAKES, AND HE STARTED TO HAVE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. HE THEN TOOK THE RV BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY DID NOT HONOR THE RECALL TO FIX THE REAR BRAKES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY TOLD HIM TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO LARRY'S RV WHERE THE RECALL CLAIM WAS DENIED AS WELL, BECAUSE HE WAS NOT THE FIRST OWNER. *AK UPDATED 1/31/2007 - *NM

Other Workhorse W20 model years

Check your 2002 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.

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