RoadVitals

2011 Heartland Big Horn

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Aug 12, 2021
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 22, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2011 Heartland Big Horn, most frequently naming the powertrain (other) category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Powertrain (other)1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V750000

EQUIPMENT

Nov 22, 2017
19,615 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2010-2011 Elkridge, North Country, North Trail FW, 2011 Big Country, Bighorn, Caliber, Country Ridge, Cyclone, Edge, Focus, Graystone, Landmark, MPG, North Trail TT, Road Warrior, Sundance, Sundance TT, Sundance XLT FW, Sundance XLT TT, Trail Runner, 2018 Fuel TT, 2016-2018 Sundance XLT TT, and Torque TT recreational vehicles, equipped with certain Kidde Plastic-Handle or Push Button 'Pindicator' Fire Extinguishers. These extinguishers may become clogged, preventing the extinguisher from discharging as expected or excessive force may be needed to activate the extinguisher. Additionally, in certain models, the nozzle may detach from the valve assembly with enough force that it could cause injury and also render the product inoperable. For a full list of the affected fire extinguisher models visit: https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RMISC-17E062-5427.pdf
The risk: In the event of a fire, if the fire extinguisher does not function properly, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy: Heartland will notify owners, instructing them to contact Kidde for a replacement fire extinguisher, free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2018. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032, or Kidde customer service toll free at 1-855-262-3540, or online at www.kidde.com and click on "Product Safety Recall" for more information.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
15V482000

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Jul 30, 2015
1,680 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain trailers of various models and model years. Click on "All Products Associated With This Recall" for a complete list. The tire certification labels applied to the vehicles may contain inaccurate tire sizing and/or inflation information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
The risk: An owner or operator could rely on the inaccurate information in inflating the tires which could cause under or over inflation which, in turn, could lead to a tire failure or crash.
The remedy: Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will send a replacement label with the correct information, free of charge. The recall began on September 29, 2015. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-574-266-3988.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99-01-23View on NHTSA.gov
10V461000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Oct 8, 2010
48 units potentially affected
The defect: HEARTLAND IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER AXLES. ON SOME AXLES, CRACKS COULD APPEAR IN THE SPINDLE WELD.
The risk: THESE CRACKS CAN PROPAGATE AND CAUSE THE SPINDLE TO DETACH FROM THE AXLE TUBE, RESULTING IN THE SEPARATION OF THE WHEEL END FROM THE VEHICLE, CREATING A ROAD HAZARD THAT INCREASES THE RISK OF A CRASH TO OTHER VEHICLES, AND COMPROMISES THE DRIVER'S CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: HEARTLAND IS WORKING WITH DEXTER AXLE AND WILL INSPECT THE AXLE SERIAL NUMBER AND REPLACE IT IF IT FALLS WITHIN THE SERIAL NUMBER RANGE. REPLACEMENT OF THE AXLE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT HEARTLAND WARRANTY SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT 1-877-262-8032 OR DEXTER AXLE AT 1-800-400-2164.
HEARTLAND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES, LLCManufacturer number 99-01-03View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 12, 2021
Fire reported

The contact owns a 2011 Heartland Big Horn. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 mph when they noticed smoking coming from the left rear-axel. The contact got flagged by another vehicle to pull over. Once they did so the vehicle was then set on fire. The contact stated they put out the fire with their own extinguisher. A police report was not filed. They were unable to have the vehicle towed therefore it remains where they had to pull over. There were no injuries and no medical attention was needed. A certified mechanic informed the contact that the rear-axel had failed and needed to be replaced. The rear axle had been replaced however the cease hub and bearing had been replaced twice. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,000.

NHTSA ID
11428816
Incident
May 1, 2010
Mileage
44,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Heartland Big Horn by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026010—
2024010—
2023230—
2022020—
2021100—
2018100—
2017010—
2016220—
2015730—
2014430—
2013820—
2012010—
2011Viewing130—
2010310—
2009300—
2008110—
2007820—
2006310—
2005210—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.