RoadVitals

2015 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.
7
Latest Feb 20, 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 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.
1

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2015 Heartland Big Horn, most frequently naming the suspension, body & structure and other / unspecified 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

  • Suspension337.5%
  • Body & structure225.0%
  • Other / unspecified225.0%
  • Electrical112.5%

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
15V198000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER

Apr 3, 2015
1,691 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain model year 2015 Bighorn, Cyclone, Edge, Elkridge, Landmark 365, Road Warrior, and Torque fifth wheel and travel trailers. In the affected vehicles, a rivet for the quad entry steps may shear and fail, causing the steps to give when being used.
The risk: If the rivet shears causing the quad step to fail, the step user may fall, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The remedy: Heartland has notified owners, and dealers will replace the defective rivets with bolts, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2015. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99-01-20.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99-01-20View on NHTSA.gov
15V049000

SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY

Jan 30, 2015
131 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain model year 2015 Heartland Big Country 3800FL vehicles manufactured October 22, 2014, to December 16, 2014 and 2015 Heartland Big Country 3900FLP vehicles manufactured September 23, 2014, to January 12, 2015, 2015 Heartland Big Horn 3750FL vehicles manufactured September 3, 2014, to January 14, 2015, and Landmark 365 Charleston vehicles manufactured on December 24, 2014. In the affected recreational vehicles, the axles may be placed too far forward on the frame resulting in improper weight distribution across the axles.
The risk: Improper weight distribution across the axles may result in poor handling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will move the axles rearward to help with weight distribution on the Big Horn, and 3800 FL Big Country, and will add a ballast to the pin box to improve handling the 3900 FLP Big Country, free of charge. The recall began February 16, 2015. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99-01-19.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99-01-19View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Other / unspecified
Filed Feb 20, 2021

KEPT TAKING TIRES BACK BECAUSE THEY WOULDN'T HOLD AIR. THEY FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE WHEEL. HAD IT WELDED PER DEALER SUGGESTION. WAS TRAVELING TO TX TO WINTER. HAD BRAND NEW TIRES ON RV. AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THE WHEEL AND LUG NUTS JUST ROLLED OFF. WE HAD TO BE ESCORTED TO CAMPGROUND AND HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR PARTS. WAS CHARGED $1239.00I WAS TOLD THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THESE WHEELS. WE HAD TO REPLACE THE HUB, THE BRAKES, LUG BOLTS AND NUTS AND ARE USING THE SPARE.

NHTSA ID
11397104
Incident
Jan 2, 2021
Suspension
Filed Jul 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HEARTLAND BIG HORN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V049000 (SUSPENSION) FAILED BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE THE PROPER WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION FOR THE AXLES. AS A RESULT, FOUR SHOCKS AND SPRINGS FAILED. WRATTEN TRAILER SALES (9209 US-11, ADAMS, NY 13605, (315) 232-4535) PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11231970
Incident
Jan 30, 2015
Suspension
Filed Dec 7, 2017

AN AXLE HANGER, WHICH WAS INVOLVED IN A RECALL, WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED AND BEGAN TO BREAK OFF OF THE FRAME. THIS OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN OHIO. IT WAS WELDED BACK INTO PLACE ON THE HIGHWAY. AGAIN, WHILE TRAVELING DOWN A HIGHWAY IN MASSACHUSETTS IT BROKE COMPLETELY OFF. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH HEARTLAND AND THEY DO NOT WISH TO HELP.

NHTSA ID
11052934
Incident
Jun 18, 2017
Mileage
5,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Aug 21, 2016

REAR AXLE BRACKETS BROKE OFF OF FRAME CASING REAR AXLE TO MOVE AND BLOW TIRE ON THE FREEWAY. LUCKILY THERE WASN'T AN ACCIDENT . I HAVE CONTACTED DEXTER AXLES AND LIPPERT AND ALSO HEARTLAND AND THEY ALL SAY IT'S NOT THERE PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
10897420
Incident
May 16, 2016
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HEARTLAND BIGHORN. WHILE PARKED, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SLIDE OUT FAILED TO RETRACT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE SLIDE OUT WAS MANUALLY RETRACTED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE PASSENGER NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SLIDE OUT PROTRUDED APPROXIMATELY SIX INCHES OUTWARD. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE SLIDE OUT RETRACTED AND SECURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SLIDE OUT BOLTS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SLIDE OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 900.

NHTSA ID
10816517
Incident
Oct 7, 2015
Mileage
900 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Nov 13, 2015

CPSC: 2015 HEARTLAND BIGHORN WHEEL: CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED A COOLING UNIT ON A NORCOLD REFRIGERATOR THAT LEAKED SODIUM CHROMATE, THE COOLANT UNIT BLEW UP AS IT WAS BEING REMOVED. THREE OF THE TECHNICIANS WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL FOR EMERGENCY TREATMENT FOR EXPOSURE TO SODIUM CHROMATE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10807008
Incident
Jul 26, 2015
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jun 5, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 HEARTLAND BIG HORN 3875FB RECREATIONAL TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOLDING TANK HEATER PAD BECAME OVERHEATED AND BURNED A HOLE INTO THE GRAY WATER TANK. THE FAILURE CAUSED A WATER LEAK. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH THE HEATING TANK AND THE YETI PAD; HOWEVER, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BEDROOM SLIDE WOULD ATTRACT MOISTURE AND FROST THROUGHOUT THE WINTER. THE DEALER SENT SOMEONE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE INSULATION IN THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE WHICH WAS VACUUM BONDED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING. THERE WAS RAIN LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE WALL ON THE DOOR SIDE TO THE BEDROOM, WHICH WERE WOOD TRIMMED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS WATER LEAKING IN PLACES WHERE SHE WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE FAILURE. AS A RESULT, THERE WAS SEVER WATER DAMAGE ON THE WALLS AND THE CEILING. THE KITCHEN ISLAND WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRAVELING, THE ISLAND WOULD CONTINUOUSLY STRIKE THE REFRIGERATOR DOOR. THE DEALER PROVIDED A REPLACEMENT DOOR BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS IN THE ISLAND AND, UNTIL REPAIRED, IT WOULD CONTINUE TO STRIKE THE DOOR. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,000.

NHTSA ID
10723645
Incident
Jan 26, 2015
Mileage
1,000 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—
2015Viewing730—
2014430—
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.