Total Complaints
3 filings
WORKHORSE W20 · model year
2005 WORKHORSE W20
3 NHTSA complaints, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005WORKHORSEW20 carries 3 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 W20 is service brakes, hydraulic with 2 filings, followed by parking brake:driveline:hydraulic (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2005 W20. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
3
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 2 |
| PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC | 1 |
Recalls (2)
09V11000003/04/2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
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 SLIDE HYDRAULIC DISC BRAKES. WHEN COMBINED W
06V14800002/05/2006
STEERING
CERTAIN CHASSIS MAY HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH INCORRECT STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFTS. THE SPLINE CAN STRIP WHILE THE STEERING WHEEL IS BEING TURNED.
Recent Complaints
20101007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR RECALL 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE CALIPERS (RECALLED PART) COULD ALSO CAUSED FAILURES WITHIN THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WHICH WERE NOT COVERED UNDER RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED.
Mileage: 29,196
20081206SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKES OVER-HEATED, LOCKED UP AND FAILED. AFTER A LONG COOL-DOWN PERIOD, THE BRAKE CALIPERS RELEASED AND I WAS ABLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Mileage: 13,666
20060612PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC
FOR THE 3RD TIME IN ONE YEAR, THE AUTOMATIC PARKING BRAKE HAS LOCKED ON WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ANYWHERE FROM 30-65 MPH. THIS RESULTS IN RAPID DECELERATION AND THEN LEAVES YOU STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. IN THE LAST CASE, LAST MONTH, THE DECELERATION WAS SO QUICK THAT MY SON HIT HIS FACE ON THE DINING TABLE OF THE RV AND CUT HIS LIP OPEN. *NM
Mileage: 4,000
Compare 2005WORKHORSEW20 to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2005 WORKHORSE W20 have?▼
The 2005 WORKHORSE W20 has 3 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2005 WORKHORSE W20?▼
Yes, the 2005 WORKHORSE W20 has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 WORKHORSE W20?▼
The most-complained component for the 2005 WORKHORSE W20 is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include PARKING BRAKE:DRIVELINE:HYDRAULIC.
Is the 2005 WORKHORSE W20 safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.