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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Workhorse W20 Recalls & Complaints

The 2005 Workhorse W20 has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 3 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 2005 Workhorse W20. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2005 Workhorse W20 owner complaints

Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Workhorse W20, describing incidents dated May 29, 2006 to October 5, 2010.

Most-cited components

  • Service Brakes 2 complaints
  • Parking Brake 1 complaint

Together, the 3 complaints on file report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10359531 · Filed

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS (RECALLED PART) COULD ALSO CAUSED FAILURES WITHIN THE BRAKE…

  • ODI #10250965 · Filed

    BRAKES OVER-HEATED, LOCKED UP AND FAILED. AFTER A LONG COOL-DOWN PERIOD, THE BRAKE CALIPERS RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR INSPECTION. *TR

  • ODI #10159661 · Filed

    FOR THE 3RD TIME IN ONE YEAR, THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE HAS LOCKED ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ANYWHERE FROM 30-65 MPH. THIS RESULTS IN RAPID DECELERATION AND THEN LEAVES YOU STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE LAST CASE, LAST MONTH, THE DECELERATION WAS SO QUICK THAT MY SON HIT HIS FACE ON THE…

Read all 3 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Workhorse W20 in 2 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> .

STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS

NHTSA #06V148000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported May 2, 2006 · WORKHORSE CUSTOM CHASSIS

Potentially affected: 3,881 vehicles

Workhorse campaign 20601-C · Owners notified May 22, 2006 · Vehicles built April 28, 2005 – March 15, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN CHASSIS MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE SPLINE CAN STRIP WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.

Safety consequence

THIS STEERING CONDITION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WORKHORSE AT 1-877-294-6773.

Notes

WORKHORSE RECALL NO. 20601-C.CUSTOMERS 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 HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

Other Workhorse W20 model years

Check your 2005 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