2005 Workhorse W20 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
3 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
13,666 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data updated: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 3 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 100.0% |
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 | 2 |
| Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic: 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 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 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: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 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 (2). 0 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 |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2010 | 1 |
2006: 1; 2008: 1; 2010: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking 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 10159661 · 2006-06-12 (June 12, 2006)
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 DINING TABLE OF THE RV AND CUT HIS LIP OPEN. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10159661 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10250965 · 2008-12-06 (December 6, 2008)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 13,666 miles reported. Look up ODI 10250965 at NHTSA ↗
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
3 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10185555 · 41,000 miTL* 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 VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME BRAKE FAILURE AND BURNING SMELL. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR INVOICE FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41000. *AK UPDATE 4/19/2007 *TR | 466.7%ODI 10233082 · 28,819 miWE 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… | 763.6%ODI 10056768 · 7,300 miBRAKES FAILED AT BELOW FREEZING TEMP.EXTREME PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO GET MINIMAL BRAKE PRESSURE AFTER WHICH I HAD TO PULL BRAKE PEDAL UP BY HAND. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FROZE TO THE TOP. *AK | 342.9%ODI 10217086 · 30,000 miTHE BRAKES WERE FADING SO I HAD THEM INSPECTED BY LES SCHWAB TIRES. THEY INFORMED ME THAT ALL 4 ROTORS HAD CRACKS IN THEM AND THEY WERE A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE ABOUT 30,000 MILES ON THE 2004 SOUTHWIND MOTORHOME WORKHORSE CHASIS. I AM RESPONDING TO NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA07016. *TR | 266.7%ODI 10250965 · 13,666 miBRAKES 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 | 266.7%ODI 10273846 · 12,000 miWHILE DRIVING ON THE DC BELTWAY IN TRAFFIC, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING. PUMPING THE PEDAL GAVE ENOUGH POWER TO STOP VEHICLE. ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. STOPPED VEHICLE ON SIDE OF ROAD. BRAKES WERE VERY HOT. DISCONNECTED CAR WE WERE TOWING AND ATTEMPTED TO CONTINUE. BRAKES DID COOL OFF AND RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. WE HAD PREVIOUSLY TOWED THE CAR WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. RV WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED SHOP ABOUT 5 MILES FROM CAMPGROUND. THEY SAID THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND COULD "PATCH" IT UNTIL WOR… | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Caliper | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10177222 · 31,260 miTL* - 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 OWN… | 218.2%ODI 10205270 · 15,100 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DAMON WORKHORSE (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY ANOTHER MOTORIST AND ADVISED TO PULL OVER. ONCE HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. WHEN THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SHOES WERE FINE, HOWEVER, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE CALIPER TO BOIL THE BRAKE FLUID. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE C… | 114.3%ODI 10201868 · 10,506 miDRIVING RV NORMALLY ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN REQUIRED TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PUMPED VIGOROUSLY AND GOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEDAL. WHEN UNIT COOLED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY FOR REPAIR. LEFT REAR ROTOR WAS SCORED AND THE CALIPER WAS STICKING, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL. *JB UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic | 1100.0%ODI 10090362 · 15,000 miCONSUMER 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 133.3%ODI 10159661 · 4,000 miFOR 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 DINING TABLE OF THE RV AND CUT HIS LIP OPEN. *NM | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 19.1%ODI 10205270 · 15,100 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 DAMON WORKHORSE (NA). WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS FLAGGED DOWN BY ANOTHER MOTORIST AND ADVISED TO PULL OVER. ONCE HE PULLED OFF THE ROAD, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. HE STOPPED THE VEHICLE WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. WHEN THE WHEELS WERE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE SHOES WERE FINE, HOWEVER, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL OVERHEATED AND CAUSED THE CALIPER TO BOIL THE BRAKE FLUID. HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE CALIPERS AND BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE C… | 114.3%ODI 10201868 · 10,506 miDRIVING RV NORMALLY ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN REQUIRED TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. PUMPED VIGOROUSLY AND GOT A SMALL AMOUNT OF PEDAL. WHEN UNIT COOLED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SLOWLY FOR REPAIR. LEFT REAR ROTOR WAS SCORED AND THE CALIPER WAS STICKING, CAUSING THE BRAKE FLUID TO BOIL. *JB UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10275057WE 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 150.0%ODI 10136426 · 35,888 miI 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… | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Air:Disc:Caliper | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 116.7%ODI 10239616 · 23,239 miTOOK 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 | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 114.3%ODI 10216819 · 17,600 miRIGHT FRONT DISC BRAKE OVERHEATED AND CAUSED OIL SEAL FAILURE RESULTING IN CONTAMINATION OF DISC BRAKE LINING CONTAMINATION AND REDUCED BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS. *TR | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. | 0UnavailableNo examples available for this selection. |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Too few reports for a range | 21,431 mi | 2 (sparse) | ODI 10250965 · 13,666 miBRAKES 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 10359531 · 29,196 miTL*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 PADS AND ROTORS WHICH WERE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. |
| Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic | Too few reports for a range | 4,000 mi | 1 (sparse) | ODI 10159661 · 4,000 miFOR 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 DINING TABLE OF THE RV AND CUT HIS LIP OPEN. *NM |
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2007: 0 complaints · 2008: 0 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | — | 0 |
| Parking Brake:Driveline:Hydraulic | 0 | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.