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2003 Workhorse W20Problems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 11 owner complaints about the 2003 Workhorse W20, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints110 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage16kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 3, 2009. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Workhorse W20 has problems

11 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, hydraulic110

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

1 recall

2003 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 →

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

2003 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
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2003 Workhorse W20, and the recalls they led to.

  1. OVERHEATING DISC BRAKE CALIPEREA07016 · closed Aug 19, 2009
    Led to recall 09V-110
  2. 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.

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…
Complaint 10262913 · Mar 24, 2009 · 48,850 miles
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…
Complaint 10262068 · Mar 16, 2009 · 48,560 miles
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
Complaint 10259068 · Feb 18, 2009

Own a 2003 W20?

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