2004 Workhorse W20 Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,850miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Workhorse W20 (complaints, recalls, investigations). Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2004 Workhorse W20. The part named most often is brakes, with 6 complaints (86% of the total), followed by electrical system (1) and visibility (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 100% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,850 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 2 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes6 86%
- Electrical system1 14%
- Wheels1 14%
Example complaints
Brakes: “The 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10217086, filed 2008-02, 30,000 milesElectrical system: “We 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10275057, filed 2009-06Wheels: “On 9/6/07, the l.f. Brake on my motorhome seized up and overheated the brake rotor for almost 10 miles until I noticed severe shaking in the steering wheel & smelled burnt brake lining when I stopped. I was driving in normal city traffic near alliance, ohio; -not excessive stop and go, but there was maybe 4 red lights over the course of 3 miles distance (at 30 MPH) to stop. My stopping was normal , not sudden or erratic. The left front hub & wheel got so hot from the caliper/brake assy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10243450, filed 2008-09, 10,920 milesMileage when problems were reported
100% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,920 and 30,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Recalls and investigations
- 09V110000Apr 3, 2009Service brakes, hydraulicCovers: Workhorse W20 2001–2008, Tiffin Allegro BAY 2001–2009, Forest River Georgetown 2000–2006, 2008 +7 more
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…
- 06V225000Jun 20, 2006Engine and engine coolingCovers: Workhorse W20 2004, W22 2004–2006, W24 2004–2006 +2 more
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…
Recall details for the 2004 Workhorse W20 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA07016Overheating disc brake caliperClosed · Nov 16, 2007
- PE07032Overheated brake calipersClosed · Jun 25, 2007
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 2004 Workhorse W20.
Other model years of the Workhorse W20
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 7 | 18,850 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2003 | 11 | 18,940 | 1 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 6 | 19,316 | 2 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Workhorse W20 have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2004 Workhorse W20 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Workhorse W20 is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 6 complaints (86% of the total), followed by electrical system with 1.
Has the 2004 Workhorse W20 been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Workhorse W20 reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,850 miles and the middle half falls between 10,920 and 30,000 miles; 100% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.