RoadVitals

2014 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.
4
Latest Feb 3, 2017
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 Jul 30, 2015
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.
0

Overview

Our database contains 4 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2014 Heartland Big Horn, most frequently naming the other / unspecified and tires & wheels categories. 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

  • Other / unspecified266.7%
  • Tires & wheels133.3%

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
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
14V128000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Mar 18, 2014
417 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain model year 2013 Bighorn Silverado, 2014 Bighorn and 2013-2014 Cyclone, and Landmark fifth wheel trailers equipped with certain Frigidaire KG-series microwaves, models CFMV152CLB and CFMV154CLS, manufactured January 27, 2013, through April 10, 2013 in the serial number range KG30607951 through KG31600670. In the affected vehicles, the microwave may start on its own and begin heating when unattended.
The risk: If the microwave starts on its own and there are contents inside, a fire could result.
The remedy: Heartland will notify owners and dealers will repair the membrane/keypad component, free of charge. The recall began in May 2014. Owners may contact Heartland at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99-01-17. Note: Until the microwave has been repaired, owners should not store anything in the microwave while it is unattended.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99-01-17View on NHTSA.gov
13V181000

EQUIPMENT

May 7, 2013
890 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Big Country, Bighorn, Elk Ridge, Elk Ridge Express, Landmark, Prowler, Sundance, Sundance XLT, and Silverado fith wheel and travel trailers manufactured February 13, 2013, through April 16, 2013. If the awning installation sequence was not completely followed, the awning motor may unknowingly become damaged.
The risk: If motor damage has occurred, it is possible that the awning can unfurl unexpectedly, either while the trailer is at rest or while in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a vehicle crash.
The remedy: Heartland will notify owners and Dometic staff will replace the affected motors with a design that is not subject to an out-of-sequence installation error. The recall began on May 20, 2013. A notification schedule has not yet been provided. Owners may contact Heartland Recreational Trailers at 1-888-262-5992 or Dometic at 1-888-447-0003 for more information. Owners are being instructed not to drive their vehicle until repairs can be performed. Heartland's recall campaign number is 99-01-11.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99-01-11View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Filed Feb 3, 2017

EMERGENCY EXIT WINDOW LATCH BROKE ALLOWING EXIT WINDOW TO FLAP LIKE A BIRD'S WING. DON'T KNOW WHAT KEPT IT FROM FLYING OFF AND HITTING A VEHICLE BESIDE OR BEHIND ME. VERY POORLY MADE, TO LIGHT GRADE OF ALUMINUM USED. THIS IS A LAWSUIT WAITING TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA ID
10949310
Incident
Jan 23, 2017
Mileage
15,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Dec 7, 2015

SAME OLD STORY WITH THESE TIRES, TOWMAX POWER KING ST235/85R16. WE HAD THESE TIRES AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FOR OUR 2014 HEARTLAND BIGHORN 5TH WHEEL RV. WE WERE TRAVELING OUTSIDE OF MOAB UTAH WHEN THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A CATASTROPHIC BLOWOUT. ONCE WE READ ABOUT THE ISSUES WITH THESE TIRES, WE DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL 5 BEFORE CONTINUING ON OUR TRIP. THAT DECISION WAS PERHAPS ONE OF OUR BEST SINCE THE REMOVED TIRES ALL SHOWED SIGNS OF INTERNAL FAILURE PLY SEPARATION. THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR (DYNAMIC TIRE CO.) DENIED ANY MANUFACTURING DEFECT AND REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE DAMAGES TO OUR RV. WHAT A JOKE THAT THESE TIRES ARE EVEN CONSIDERED SUITABLE FOR SERVICE ON ANY VEHICLE OR HIGHWAY. THE TIRE COMPANY POINTS THE FINGER AT THE USER SAYING THAT THE TIRES WERE EITHER UNDER-INFLATED OR OVER-LOADED. REALLY!!! I THINK THAT THEY JUST HAVE A STANDARD LIST OF EXCUSES SUCH THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT LIABILITY FOR THEIR PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID
10808822
Incident
Aug 31, 2015
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 4, 2015

WE PURCHASED OUR BIG HORN AS A LEFT OVER IN APRIL 2015. WE TOOK SEVERAL SHORT TRIPS TO PREPARE FOR OUR US TOUR TO TO WEST COAST AND BACK. WE PUT LESS THAN 3000 MILES ON THE CAMPER BEFORE THE 1ST POWER KING TOWMAX TIRE BLEW. WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, SPEED LESS THAN 60 MILES PER HOUR ON THE ENTIRE TRIP, CAMPER BELOW THE MANUFACTURER WEIGHT LIMIT, AND TIRE PRESSURE OF 80 PSI COLD. STOPPED IN A SMALL TOWN IN CO TO HAVE THE TIRE FIXED AND THE REPAIR GUY HAD A SIMILAR CUSTOMER A SHORT WHILE BEFORE WITH THE SAME TIRE. HE REPLACED ALL 5 OF HIS TIRES WITH ANOTHER BRAND. WE LEFT THIS TOWN FOR ANOTHER STOP AND ALL WAS OKAY. WHEN LEAVING THE NEXT STOP AGAIN ON THE HIGHWAY WE HAD ANOTHER BLOWOUT ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE TIRE I JUST REPLACED. DAMAGE TO THE CAMPER WHICH NEEDS REPAIR. THIS TIME I REPLACED THE OTHER 2 TIRES AS WELL. HEARTLAND WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS A KEEPS SENDING US TO THE TIRE MANUFACTURER. SEEMS LIKE THE COMPANY I BOUGHT THE CAMPER FROM SHOULD HAVE MORE OWNERSHIP IN THEIR PRODUCT ESPECIALLY SEEING ALL THE OTHER BLOWOUT COMPLAINTS ON THEIR PRODUCT.

NHTSA ID
10788413
Incident
Nov 3, 2015
Mileage
3,000 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Sep 21, 2014

SATURDAY, 9/20/14, WE DROVE APPROX 300 MILES FROM FL ON INTERSTATES 95 AND 26, SPEED 65 MPH OR LOWER, TOWING OUR 2014 HEARTLAND BIGHORN 5TH WHEEL TRAILER EQUIPPED WITH POWER KING TOW MAX ST235/80R16 TIRES. TIRE PRESSURE (80 PSI) AND LUG TORQUE (120 FT/LB) CHECKED BEFORE DEPARTURE. EXITED I-26 IN LEXINGTON SC AND HAD DRIVEN 2-3 MILES, SPEEDS 35 AND UNDER, ON SURFACE STREET WHEN LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW, SEPARATING 2/3 OF THE TREAD CIRCUMFERENCE CREATING A 3 1/2 FOOT LONG 8 INCH WIDE STEEL BELTED FLAIL THAT DESTROYED THE LOWER VALANCE AND WHEEL WELL ON LEFT MAIN SLIDE, THROWING DEBRIS ON ADJACENT TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY, DUE TO LOW SPEED AT TIME (20-25), THERE WERE NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO OTHER VEHICLES OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. TRAILER PURCHASED NEW JAN 2014 AND HAD LESS THAN 1500 MILES TOTAL USE. INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED LOTS OF SIMILAR STORIES AND A FULL COMPLAINT LOG (50) SINCE 6/2014 ON NHTSA SITE. NO FAITH IN THESE TIRES; REPLACED TWO (ALL THE LOCAL GOODYEAR TIRE DEALER HAD ON A SUNDAY) BUT WILL REPLACE THEM ALL WHEN AVAILABLE. HEARTLAND AND TBC, THE TIRE MAKER (?) WILL HEAR AS WELL. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD! *TR

NHTSA ID
10637922
Incident
Sep 20, 2014
Mileage
1,500 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—
2014Viewing430—
2013820—
2012010—
2011130—
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.