2004 Workhorse W20 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes, Hydraulic (2) · Wheels (1) · Visibility (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Workhorse W20 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
What owners report
2009-06-26 · Visibility“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. *tr…”
2008-10-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 38,133 mi“while driving on us441 near tavares fl got a warning light for anti lock brakes. pulled over into a shopping area. left front wheel and right rear dual wheel were hot. restarted engine got a brake failure warning on dash message center. let brakes cool for approximately 90 minutes. drove home then to workhorse repair center without further trouble.…”
2008-09-25 · Wheels · 10,920 mi“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…”
2008-02-06 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 30,000 mi“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. *tr…”
2008-02-03 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:abs Warning Light · 17,600 mi“right front disc brake overheated and caused oil seal failure resulting in contamination of disc brake lining contamination and reduced brake effectiveness. *tr…”
2007-09-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:drum:wheel Cylinders · 20,100 mi“this is a brake failure on ,my 2004 allegro motorhome built on a w-20 chassis manufactured by workjorse custom chassis. on the date in question, the right rear brake locked up and overheated. the left rear brake overheated. these actions caused replacement of the right rear caliper, roter, seals and slide pins. the caliper and slide pins were rep…”
2007-09-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor · 10,506 mi“driving rv normally about 40 mph when required to stop. brake pedal went to the floor. pumped vigorously and got a small amount of pedal. when unit cooled, was able to drive slowly for repair. left rear rotor was scored and the caliper was sticking, causing the brake fluid to boil. *jb updated 12/12/07 *bf updated 12/12/07 *tr…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.