On certain motor home and truck chassis equipped with general motors 8.1L v8 engines, improper hardening during the heat treatment process can cause the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clip to fracture, resulting in inadequate retention of the damper. If the...
Engine & cooling
Workhorse W22 Engine problems by year
9 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Workhorse W22's engine & cooling. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.
Engine complaints by model year
Engine recalls
Latest W22 engine complaints
2003 Newmar mountain aire motorhome on a 2003 workhorse w22 chassis. Consumer writes in regards to workhorse brake system recall *tgw the consumer stated in may of 2009, he received an interim notice warning about a possible problem with the workhorse system. The noticed stated there was a possibility of the brakes sticking, burning and the abs light illuminating. It further stated that if the symptoms should appear, that the driver should pull over and examine the wheels for excessive heat and contact a...
Read the full complaint
workhorse service center. In june 2009 the consumer was about 100 miles into his trip, when he experienced over heating of the brakes and the abs light illuminated. He pulled over and called the number listed on the recall. Arrangements were made to have the rv towed to a service center, the service center made temporary repairs to the rv and found there was also a recall on the catalytic converter, which was also replaced. In january 2010, the consumer began to notice a slight loss of power and he could hear a muffled sound of back firing through the exhaust whenever he drove up an upgrade and/or hard accelerating. In june of 2010, he returned the rv to the service center, to have them check the back firing and several other items that needed to be repaired or replaced, but they were unable to find a problem. In october 2011, the rv began to slow down and smoke started emitting out of the left exhaust. The rv was towed to a service center. A diagnostic test revealed the catalytic converters were clogged up and blew out the mufflers. The service center also found the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The consumer also stated over the last five years, the fuel pump, serpentine belt, heater valve, speedometer, dash panel cluster lights and turn signal/ dimmer switch all had to be replaced. *Jb
Both of my catalytic converters failed 2/16/11 on my 2004 w22 workhorse chassis with only 30,000 miles. Replacement cost $1,200.00. There was a recall replacing defective catalytic converters on the 2003 workhorse chassis. Is this the continuation of the same problem of defective catalytic converters? I've kept my 8.1L tuned and serviced as per manufacture instructions. *Tr
2002 Workhorse chassis dolphin motorhome. Consumer states problems with the engine stalling *tgw the consumer stated the rv has been repeatedly towed, serviced and even repaired only to encounter the same problem. The engine would suddenly stall with no warning. Within a period of 10 seconds, the power brakes and steering became unreliable and the accelerator went to the floor. *Jb
2004 Workhorse w22 chassis. The consumer received a recall notice from workhorse which stated the clip that retains the engines fuel rail pulse damper may fracture leading to a fuel leak. *Dt the consumer was having difficulty contacting someone regarding the recall notice he received. The consumer also complained about loss of brakes on the rv. When the consumer attempted to apply the brake to stop, the pedal went to the floor. He immediately pulled the safety brake and pumped what little brake pedal he had. The next day, the consumer drove to the dealer where he was informed a recall had been issued regarding the problem he experienced. *Jb
Ltr re: safety recall 50901-c interim notice dated may 2009 workhorse he thinks he should be reimburse for the damages incurred in sept. 2007 From this defect, also pay for the diagnosis of this problem. *Nj the consumer stated he experienced brake failure prior to receiving a recall letter. Workhorse denied the consumers claim stating the repairs were necessary, because it was the consumers fault that the brakes overheated. The rotors were severely damaged. The consumer stated he had no confidence that the...
Read the full complaint
problem had been fixed even though the repairs were made, the abs light would still illuminate. The consumer stated he had spoken to a workhorse advisor twice prior to the brake failure. He reported the steering wheel was vibrating when he applied the brake. The consumers wife also smelled burnt brakes even though the consumer was only tapping the brakes to slow down. The advisor told the consumer it did not make sense that when stepping on the brake, the steering wheel would vibrate and that it was not a brake problem. A visual inspection revealed that the brake pads seemed ok, but the front rotors and one of the rear rotors were totally broken. The serpentine belt was replaced because it was making a lot of noise, the spark plugs burned 4 times, the pixels went out on the odometer, the instrument cluster shut down completely, the transmission locked up once in third gear, the seat belt light illuminated for no reason and then would go out and a rear seal on the axle leaked. *Jb
2004 Gulf stream sun voyager (workhorse custom chassis w22) recall notice on campaign no. 60601-C for the clip that retains the engine fuel rail pulse damper may fracture leading to a fuel leak. *Nj the consumer also stated a more serious problem was the loss of brakes while on a camping trip. When the consumer was approaching a red light, he attempted to apply the brakes, but the pedal went to the floorboard. He immediately pulled the safety brake and pumped what little brake pedal he had. The consumer managed to stop in time. The consumer took the rv to a repair shop and was informed a recall had been issued for the same problem, where the brakes overheat and fail. *Jb
2002 Bounder with chevy workhorse chassis brake system failure. *Nj the consumer was informed the front caliper on the passenger side had seized and destroyed all the previous brake work the consumer had done 56 miles ago. The left front oil seal was leaking. *Jb
While driving down the road, the engine just shuts down. This happens at anywhere from 2 to 10 miles after starting down the highway. This has happened a total of four times to me. It acted as if the ignition is turned off. Upon the second shut down, a scan tool was used and produced the code indicating there was a malfunction in the crankshaft position sensor. After pulling off the road and allowing the engine to sit for about 30 seconds the engine can be restarted and driven for as far as 125 miles with no...
Read the full complaint
further problem. Each and every time since the initial start of the problem, the problem has occurred each time the vehicle was driven. This engine is a 8.1 L chevrolet engine installed in a 2002 rv with a chassis build date of 9/28/01. All of the symptoms are exactly as noted in the recall campaign issued by gm. Gm recall no. 06083. The rv chassis manufacturer has refused to acknowledge that gm has a recall for this reason, and to provide me with the crankshaft position sensor for me to replace. I'm afraid to drive the vehicle to the dealer to get it looked at and they told me that because it is an intermittent problem, they would have to drive the vehicle to reproduce the problem and they didn't want to do that. Once the engine switch is turned off and then back on the code does not appear, making it difficult for service tech"s to diagnose the problem. No accidents or deaths have resulted from this problem but this could be a severe safety issue. *Tr
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 workhorse w22 trailer. When the contact exited the vehicle, he smelled the brakes and wheel bearings burning. The contact removed the wheel and noticed oil from the wheel bearing covering the tire. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired. In october of 2007, the contact smelled an odor coming from the rear brakes. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they could not duplicate the failure. The current and failure mileages were 16,000. Updated 04/22/08. *Lj the consumer...
Read the full complaint
was told the rear brakes would not be replaced with upgraded brakes. The consumer stated the problem still exists with the brakes. The check engine light illuminated. The cruise control did not come. Updated
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data