WORKHORSE Complaints

THIS LETTER IS TO COMMUNICATE MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN MY WORKHORSE CHASSIS. ON JANUARY 1, 2008 WE WERE MOVING OUR MOTOR HOME TO A NEW RV PARK FOR THE MONTH. I STARTED TO SMELL A BAD ODOR WHILE DRIVING IN MODERATE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I PULLED THE COACH INTO A SERVICE STATION TO DISCOVER A SMOKING AND STUCK HOT BRAKE ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. I UNHOOKED MY TOW VEHICLE AND BACKED UP MY COACH AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE BRAKE TO RELEASE. I CONTACTED A WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER FOR AN APPOINTMENT. AT THAT TIME THEY INFORMED ME THEY ONLY DO WARRANTY WORK ON WORKHORSE CHASSIS. I THEN CONTACTED A SERVICE PERSON TO COME TO MY COACH AS I DIDN'T WANT TO DRIVE THE UNIT. AT THAT TIME THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES AT A COST OF $ 1,989.19. ON OCTOBER 31, 2008 WE EXPERIENCED A THUMPING VIBRATION FROM THE STEERING WHEEL COMING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE. AFTER WE GOT DOWN, I STOPPED THE COACH TO CHECK FOR HOT BRAKES. THEY SEEMED TO BE OK SO WE PROCEEDED TO MOVE ON TO BRADENTON, FLORIDA WITHOUT INCIDENT. ON NOVEMBER 5, 2008 WE HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPAIRED AT A COST OF $339.63 FROM A WORKHORSE SERVICE CENTER. THEY ASSURED ME THE BRAKES WERE OK AT THAT TIME. SHORTLY AFTER ARRIVING HOME FOR THE SUMMER I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 50901-C BUT FELT THERE WAS NOTHING TO DO BECAUSE OF THE ABOVE REPAIRS. ON OCTOBER 30, 2009, WE WERE DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON OUR WAY TO GULF SHORES, AL. MUCH TO MY DISMAY WE ARRIVED AT THE RV PARK AND SMELLED SOMETHING HOT AGAIN. I STOPPED TO INSPECT THE COACH AND FOUND THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE WAS OVERHEATED. WE WAITED FOR THE BRAKE TO COOL BEFORE MOVING TO OUR SITE. THE PAST SUMMER I STORED MY UNIT INSIDE AND DROVE IT ON THE FIRST OF EACH MONTH WHEN I EXERCISED MY GENERATOR. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS! AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FEEL SAFE ON THE ROAD. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 MOTORHOME ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS WHICH IS INVOLVED WITH THE BOSCH ZOPS & ZOHT BRAKE RECALL. OUR MOTORHOME HAS 18,500 MILES ON IT. ON 10 SEP 2009 WE HAD THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE STICK & OVERHEAT ABOUT 6-8 MILES FROM HOME. AFTER CALLING WORKHORSE FOR ASSISTANCE I DECIDED TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED. BOTH FRONT CALIPERS WERE STICKING. THE LEFT FRONT ROTOR HAD HEAT DAMAGE & BRAKE PAD TRANSFER ON THE ROTOR. THE RIGHT FRONT ROTOR HAD MANY SMALL HEAT CRACKS WITH ONE LARGE RADIAL CRACK ACROSS & THROUGH THE ENTIRE BRAKING SURFACE AND ALSO HAD BRAKE PAD TRANSFER ON THE ROTOR. PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE DAMAGED CALIPERS, ROTORS & BRAKE PADS AND EMAILED TO WORKHORSE FOR APPROVAL OF REPLACEMENT OF THESE DAMAGED ITEMS. WORKHORSE COVERED THE TWO BOSCH BRAKE CALIPERS BUT REFUSED TO COVER ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS SAYING THEY WERE DAMAGED DURING NORMAL OPERATION. THE SERVICE MANAGER, SERVICE ADVISOR AND SERVICE TECH AT THE WORKHORSE FACILITY I TOOK THE MOTORHOME TO, ALL SAID THE STICKING CALIPERS CAUSED THE DAMAGE TO THE ROTORS & PADS. I CONTACTED THE SAME WORKHORSE TECH (WHO DENIED OUR CLAIM) TWICE TO EXPLAIN THAT I HAVE A SUPPLEMENTAL BRAKE FOR THE VEHICLE WE TOW, THAT I DON'T RIDE THE BRAKE AND I DON'T BRAKE HARD TO STOP. I EVEN ASKED HIM WHAT HE THOUGHT I MIGHT BE DOING THAT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE DAMAGE TO THE ROTOR & PADS. HE WOULD NOT RESPOND. I HAVE SPENT (OUT OF POCKET IN THE LAST WEEK) $978.78 TO HAVE THE MOTORHOME FRONT BRAKES PUT BACK INTO PROPER WORKING ORDER. I BOUGHT A NEW ROTOR FOR THE RIGHT FRONT, I HAD THE LF ROTOR TURNED, BOUGHT SEALS, REPLACED BRAKE PADS BOTH SIDES & REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED PARTS & THE CRACKED ROTOR. WITHOUT SOME INTERVENTION I DOUBT THAT I WILL EVER BE COMPENSATED FOR THE COST I HAVE INCURRED. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR 50 YRS. AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED ANY BRAKE PROBLEMS ON ANY VEHICLE I HAVE OWNED. *TR UPDATED 11/04/09

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. WHILE THE WORKHORSE MANUFACTURER WAS SERVICING THE VEHICLE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V110000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE DID NOT NEED TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED AND HE WAS REFUSED SERVICE. THE CONTACTS VIN NUMBER WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND HE EXPERIENCED THE IDENTICAL FAILURE THAT WAS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 WORKHORSE W22. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD STICK TO THE FLOOR, FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND EXHIBIT A BURNING SMELL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. NHTSA CAMPAIGN #09V110000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED ASSUME THE REPAIR COST ON THREE OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT IF THE CONTACT SUBMITS INVOICES FOR THE FIRST THREE REPAIRS, THEY WOULD REIMBURSE HIM; HOWEVER, THEY DENIED REIMBURSEMENT AFTER THEY RECEIVED THE INVOICE. THE BRAKES HAVE CONTINUED TO FAIL; ALTHOUGH, THERE WERE FOUR ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THEM. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 53,400. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 11/03/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE FAILURE HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING AND WHILE THE RV WAS MOVING. UPDATED 11/04/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 WORKHORSE W22. WHILE DRIVING THE FRONT BRAKES LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS MACHINED FOUR ROTORS AND FLUSHED THE BRAKE FLUID SYSTEM. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE CALIPER,AND LUBED THE FLAG PINS. IN SPRING OF 2009 SHE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 09V110000(SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). HOWEVER WHEN SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER SHE WAS ADVISED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THERE WAS NOT AN ESTIMATED TIME PERIOD WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 11,000.

CONSUMER WANTS TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR WORK DONE ON THEIR 2004 FLEETWOOD BOUNDER FOR SAFETY RECALL 50901-C. *NJ WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF HOT BRAKES. THE CONSUMER STOPPED AT A WEIGH STATION AND CHECKED THE BRAKES, BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM VERY HOT. AFTER ABOUT 6 OR 7 MILES, THE ODOR BECAME STRONGER. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND WHEN CHECKING THE BRAKES, THE ANTI-LOCK SENSOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BLEW OUT. THE NEXT DAY, THE RV WAS TAKEN TO A SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE CALIPERS HAD FROZE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.(WORKHORSE 2004 W22 CHASSIS) *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 WORKHORSE CHASSIS W22. HE RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE# 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) IN MAY OF 2009, AND HE IMMEDIATELY NOTIFIED THE DEALER. HE WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE, THEY COULD USE OLD REPLACEMENTS PARTS TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY REMEDIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 21000. UPDATED 10/27/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKES OVERHEATED DUE TO DEFECTIVE CALIPERS. THE REPAIR OF THE LEFT FRONT BRAKE LASTED ONLY 6 BLOCKS DOWN THE ROAD BEFORE THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB

INCIDENT IN ENGLAND: SOFT PEDAL & LOSS OF BRAKING, ON IMPORTED AMERICAN MOTORHOME (RV). THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF IMPORTED RVS HERE. MY VEHICLE IS A 2002 'TRAIL LITE 262' BY R-VISION ON A WORKHORSE CHASSIS. IT IS USED REGULARLY & HAS 35,000 MILES. A RECENT SERVICE NOTED THE BRAKE CALIPERS WERE FREE TO MOVE, BUT SUITABLE LUBRICANT WAS APPLIED AS A PRECAUTION. TWO WEEKS AGO, APPROACHING A SHARP DOUBLE BEND AT 40 TO 50 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO RETARDING ACTION. I COULD NOT TAKE THE CURVE AT THAT SPEED, AND QUICKLY PUT THE AUTO GEARBOX INTO LOW, AND STEERED OFF THE ROAD ONTO THE GRASS, THEN A FARM ENTRANCE. I WAS LUCKY - ELSEWHERE THAT ROAD HAS A DRAINAGE DITCH ALONGSIDE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS. AFTER STOPPING I REALIZED THERE WAS A VERY STRONG BURNING SMELL FROM BOTH REAR BRAKES. I CRAWLED ALONG FOR HALF A MILE AND PARKED UP. NEXT MORNING THE PEDAL FEEL HAD RETURNED; IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT OVERHEATING HAD BOILED THE FLUID CAUSING PRESSURE LOSS. I PHONED THE SPECIALIST RV GARAGE WHICH SERVICES IT. THEY TOLD ME IN RECENT WEEKS THEY HAD 4 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME FAULT, AND REPLACED BRAKE CALIPERS IN WHICH THE PISTONS WERE SEIZING OR HANGING. ALL WERE ON THE WORKHORSE CHASSIS, AROUND 2002 -3 WITH SIMILAR USAGE AND MILEAGE. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A SERIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT AFFECTING RVS IN THE UK. I NOTE ON YOUR WEBSITE WORKHORSE HAVE ACCEPTED THIS FAULT, STATING THAT IT AFFECTS THE W22 CHASSIS ETC. THE SERVICE MECHANIC HERE ASSURES ME THE VERY SAME BRAKES ARE ALSO FITTED TO THE P22 CHASSIS (WHICH MINE IS). IN THE UK THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL CAMPAIGN OR PUBLICITY ABOUT THE FAULT. I AM CONCERNED THERE COULD BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, OR EVEN FATALITY. MAY I SUGGEST YOU COMMUNICATE THE PROBLEM TO OUR 'VEHICLE OPERATING & SAFETY AGENCY' SO THEY ISSUE A WARNING OR RECALL. ALSO, CAN YOU ADVISE ME HOW TO GET THE FAULTY BRAKES REPLACED BY WORKHORSE PLEASE.*TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 W22 WORKHORSE CHASSIS TRAILER. THERE IS AN ABNORMAL HEAT GENERATION AT THE WHEEL END WHICH CAUSED THE BRAKES TO DRAG. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED IN REFERENCE TO RECALL # 09V110000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). HE WAS ADVISED THAT A REMEDY HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE NOT APPLICABLE.

WORKHORSE SAFETY RECALL 50901-C. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING RUBBER. THE CONSUMER STOPPED TO INSPECT THE RV AND DISCOVERED BOTH WHEEL HUBS WERE VERY HOT. THE RV WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER WAS HANGING. BOTH CALIPERS WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT SOME OR ALL OF THE EXPENSES MAY NOT BE COVERED BY THE RECALL. *JB