- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2003 Workhorse W20 Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 11 complaints about the 2003 Workhorse W20 with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (11). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in April 2009 for the service brakes, hydraulic. For comparison, the 2002 has 6 and the 2004 has 7.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical W20 year, for its age
#231 most complained-about 2003 vehicle
- Complaints
- 11
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2003 Workhorse W20 problems
Share of all 11 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2003 Workhorse W20 recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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11 complaints about the 2003 Workhorse W20
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
2Nd occurrence of brake sticking / drag during this trip. R rear brake did not release after braking causing drag & overheating. This (and the previous reported incident) occurred after going through a section of in-town stop & go traffic & stop lights. This occurrence was recognized quickly and was not as severe as the previous one. I was able to cool the brakes down and they released. *Tr
Brake failure - lockup of front brake caliper / rotor causing overheating and brake failure. No serious injury resulted. Caused trip delay and significant cost to repair replace brake components affected. Dealer inspected and diagnosed significant overheating and cracking of the front rotors and recommended replacement of same and pads & seals at a cost of approx $900. This unit was purchased used with approx 37600 miles at which time the dealer (wh service center) inspected and replace brake pads on all 4 wheels. This unit is stored for several months at a time but has always been inside storage and the unit is not driven in winter weather. *Tr
Ltr from congressman bishop on behalf of constituent re an update on an inquiry he previously submitted re w20 and w22 chassis brakes. *Nj the consumer stated the rear brake rotors overheated. The boiling brake fluid also lead to the brake failure. *Jb
Partial lockup of rear calipers on a 2003 workhorse w-20 chassis on a 2004 fleetwood flair 33r motorhome after traveling approximately 100 miles on relatively flat highway entering traffic with stoplights. After about 10 miles in the stop and go traffic, a slight 'brake smell' was noticed. This was approximately 10 miles from home. I got out and checked the wheels and both rear wheels were hot to the touch. At approximately 1 mile from home the abs light came on and the brake pedal went to the floor. When this...
Read the full complaint
happened, I pumped the pedal a few times and had brakes. I limped home in this condition. Parked at home I noticed the master cylinder was hot, the brake line to the rear brakes was hot, a sensor had melted off the right rear dual, and a length (approx. 18 Inches) of fine, coiled, copper wire was hanging from the caliper. To me it looked like it came out of the melted sensor. The left wheel was hot, and nothing was melted. An appointment was made to get it looked at on 8/26/08. *Tr
While my 2003 fleetwood southwind motor home on a workhorse chassis was in for a recall on the instrument cluster (abs) I was informed that my brake fluid had over heated and the brake system required replacement (calipers, pads, rotors). According to the dealer the fluid overheated, turned to a jelly and would not allow the pistons to retract after the brakes had been applied. Worhorse was contacted by dealer and they refused to acknowledge there was an issue with the brakes. I retained 2 of the brake calipers after repairs were complete. Related to nhtsa ea07016. *Tr
We have a 2003 motorhome with a w20 workhorse frame. I have lost the hydraulic brakes due to the fluid boiling twice during normal driving on level roads (no hills or mountains) both times the heat destroyed the abs wheel sensors. *Tr
Rear brakes overheating. No complete failure. Only caused loss of rv vacation and major inconvenience. Pulled off to side of road to allow cool down. Delivered to mechanic for fluid change and checking and lubricating of calipers. This same thing happened 10 months later. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 workhorse w20. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle would not accelerate as fast as it normally would. In addition, the contact noticed a burning smelling coming from the rear of the vehicle. The mechanic stated that the calipers caused the failure and they replaced the left and right rear brake calipers. There is an open defect investigation for the service brakes: hydraulic (nhtsa action number ea07016). The failure mileage was 16,000 and current mileage was 17,000. Updated...
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02-06-08. *Kb the consumer stated at the first observation the left rear caliper was extremely hot to the touch and all other calipers seemed to have normal temperature. Updated 02/06/08 *tr
Tl*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 current and failure mileages were 15,100. Updated 01/24/08 . *Lj updated
Brake failure. Rear brakes overheated and boiled the brake fluid. Coach was towed to camping time rv in oakwood, ga. It has been there for over a month awaiting parts. Brake pedal went to the floor. Rear hubs too hot to touch and boiled the brake fluid.*Jb updated 01/11/08. *Lj the master cylinder was defective. Updated *jb
Brakes 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
Workhorse W20: every year compared
All W20 years2003 Workhorse W20 vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Workhorse W20 | 11 | 1 | C | |
| 2003 Workhorse W22 | 113 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 2003 Workhorse Chassis | 22 | 1 | - | Compare |
| 2003 Workhorse W24 | 1 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 2003 Workhorse P3500 | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2003 Workhorse W20
Does the 2003 Workhorse W20 have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2003 Workhorse W20: service brakes, hydraulic (April 2009). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Workhorse W20?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (11).
How many complaints has the 2003 Workhorse W20 had?
11 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 8, 2004 and the latest on March 24, 2009. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2003 Workhorse W20 a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 41 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Workhorse W20 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Workhorse W20 years have the most complaints?
2003 (11), 2004 (7), 2002 (6). See every Workhorse W20 year compared.
What should I do if my 2003 Workhorse W20 has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data