The contact owns a 2004 Workhorse W22. The contact stated that after the RV was stored for several years, the contact learned that the brakes had seized. The contact then became aware that the RV was included in a recall. The RV was taken to the dealer and repaired under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V110000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the RV experienced brake failure. The contact stated that after the repair due, to personal issues, he was unable to use the RV for several months. The contact stated that he recently started driving the RV around the property and locally; however, he became aware of brake fluid leaking underneath the RV. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact had not taken the RV to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 23,022.
Workhorse W22 engine failure problems
11 of the 323 owner complaints about the Workhorse W22 describe engine failure, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 11
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical mileage
- 23,022
By model year
- 20081
- 20045
- 20034
- 20021
Often reported together
What owners say
The contact owns a 2004 Workhorse W22 RV. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the brakes heated up and seized. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and smelled a burning odor. The contact stated that he waited for over one hour for the brakes to cool and then he continued driving to his destination. The contact stated that the failure became constant and he no longer took the RV on long trips. The contact had taken the RV to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the calipers, pistons, sensors, and rotors needed to be replaced. The RV had been repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Newmar Kountry built on a 2004 Workhorse W22 chassis. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond as needed. The contact was able to continue driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on four occasions where the brake pads were replaced four times however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving on a wet road surface and attempting to make a stop at the stop sign, the vehicle slid into a ditch. The contact did not sustain any injuries. The contact was able to pull the RV out of the ditch with the assistance of a four-wheel drive vehicle. The contact’s friend, an independent mechanic, arrived at the scene and diagnosed that the brake calipers had seized, causing the brakes to overheat while driving. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the brake rotors needed to be replaced. The mechanic performed an unknown service on the brakes which allowed the contact to drive to his residence. However, the failure reoccurred and the brake pedal was smoking. The contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 09V110000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The dealer informed the contact that they needed to verify that the manufacturer would cover the recall repair prior to assisting. The contact contacted other unknown dealers who declined to assist. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
2003 workhorse w22 chassis. Consumer writes in regards to bad brakes *tgw the consumer stated he/she first experienced front brake failure in sept 2007. The front brakes locked up which caused the brakes to overheat. The front calipers, brake pads, front inner seals, front outer hub covers and rotors had to be replaced. Also, the right front wheel speed sensor was defective and had to be replaced as well . The second time was in april 2008 when the rear calipers seized and damaged the rotors and pads. The brakes were replaced under an extended warranty. The consumer stated he/she received a refund check for the rear brakes only. The consumer stated since a recall was issued, all of his/her money should be refunded including money for the components that were damage as a result of the failed brakes.
2008 winnebago on a 2008 w22 workhorse chassis has 26838 miles, required replacement of the front rotors and all of the brake pads. Rotors were actually cracked but not burned requiring replacement *tgw the consumer stated the calipers seized. Also, several brake repair technicians stated the problem was not due to normal failure, but more likely due to the defective calipers. The consumer stated the front seals, rotors, front and rear pads and seal oil cap were replaced. *jb updated 03/10/11.
2003 w-22 workhorse chassis motor home. Consumer states that he had a recall for the brakes and ending up paying for the repair. He feels that workhorse should have paid since the part was under recall. *kb the consumer stated the ABS light illuminated. The rv was taken to a repair shop and they turned the light off and advised the consumer to come back in a few days for a full inspection. The consumer returned a few days later for a rear brake inspection. The repair shop informed the consumer the rear brakes had become very hot and burned and would need to be replaced. When the parts arrived, the consumer went back to the shop to have the rear brakes replaced. Two years after having the rear brakes replaced, the ABS light illuminated again and the consumer began hearing strange sounds and the rv drove a little differently. When the consumer was able to pull over, he looked under the rv and smelled a strange odor and the brakes were extremely hot. The consumer was able to safely drive the rv to a repair shop, once the brakes cooled down. The repair shop determined the front brakes had seized and overheated and needed to be replaced. Three months later, the calipers were replaced.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 workhorse w22 chassis. While driving approximately 25 MPH on normal road conditions, the brake pedal extended to the floor without resistance when pressure was applied. The contact smelled a strong burning odor coming from the brakes. The vehicle coasted to a parking lot and roadside assistance was called to the scene. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for inspection and they stated that the failure was related to the rear passenger brake calipers. The repairs were performed under warranty. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer on two separate occasions for identical failures. The repairs consisted of replacing the rear driver's and front passenger side brake calipers. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 09v110000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the recall remedy has not been performed because the necessary part is on a national back order. The technician stated that the part will not be available until october of 2009. The failure mileage was 13,125 and the current mileage is 21,910. Updated 6/29/09 *cn the right rear caliper seized and burned the rotor and pads. A year later, the consumer stated he experienced a problem again with the left rear caliper hanging. The caliper was replaced and fluid was added. The problem happened for a third time. Updated 06/30/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 winnebago adventurer workhorse chassis. The contact stated that the calipers seized and burnd through the brakes while driving long distances. The failure was noticed while driving 50 MPH. He felt that the rv was unsafe to drive because the brakes were constantly malfunctioning while driving. The current mileage was 31,080 and failure mileage was 26,000. Updated 02-23-09 *bf updated 02/24/09.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 workhorse w22. While sporadically depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the brake fluid was bubbling due to excessive heat exposure. He took the vehicle to the dealer because three of the ABS wheel sensors burned off and two of the ABS seals failed. The technician replaced the brake calipers and the seals at more than $1,000. The manufacturer would not assist because there was no recall. The failure and current mileages were not applicable. Updated 03/27/09 *bf the consumer stated on 2 separate occasions, he had to pull over and wait for the brakes to cool off. The third time, the brakes seized. The caliper was replaced. Updated 04/01/09.
2002 bounder with chevy workhorse chassis brake system failure. *nj the consumer was informed the front caliper on the passenger side had seized and destroyed all the previous brake work the consumer had done 56 miles ago. The left front oil seal was leaking.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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 damper becomes loose, fuel could be pumped by the fuel pump into the under hood area.
- Risk
- In the presence of an ignition source, a fire could result.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel rail pulse damper retainer clips on these engines free of charge. The recall began on september 1, 2006. Owners may contact workhorse at 877‑294‑6773.
Recall number 06V225000 · Recall details
Questions about the Workhorse W22 engine failure
Which Workhorse W22 years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (5 complaints), 2003 (4 complaints) and 2002 (1 complaints).
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