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2002 Workhorse W20Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 6 owner complaints about the 2002 Workhorse W20, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints61 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage15kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 21, 2010. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Workhorse W20 has problems

6 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic50
Service brakes, air11

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2002 Workhorse W20 recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 09V-110 · Apr 3, 2009 · 48,876 vehicles

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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic

Recall 04V-084 · Feb 18, 2004 · 10,235 vehicles

Risk. A HANG UP OR LOCK UP MAY CAUSE THE CALIPERS TO OVER HEAT AND NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO STOP SAFELY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Workhorse.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other W20 year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the W20 median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Workhorse W20, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OVERHEATING FRONT AND REAR BRAKESEA03003 · closed Mar 3, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-019
  2. OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPEREA07016 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-110
  3. OVERHEATED BRAKE CALIPERSPE07032 · closed Nov 19, 2007
    No recall
In owners' words

What W20 owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WINNEBAGO ADVENTURER WITH A WORKHORSE W20 CHASSIS MOTOR HOME (RV). THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKES LOCKED AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND WAITED FOR THE…
Complaint 10339361 · Jun 21, 2010 · 15,392 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W20. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY WHEN HE DEPRESSED IT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP…
Complaint 10324026 · Apr 6, 2010 · 13,500 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 WORKHORSE W20. THE CONSUMER STATED THE MOTOR HOME CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE CALIPERS EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL # 04V084000. THE BRAKES OVERHEATED AND DESTROYED THE REAR SPEED SENSOR. THE REAR BRAKES WERE CLEANED AND ADJUSTED AND THE…
Complaint 10252092 · Dec 17, 2008 · 6,000 miles

Own a 2002 W20?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.