RoadVitals

2018 Heartland Pioneer

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.
2
Latest Jun 4, 2024
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.
4
Latest Jun 4, 2021
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 2 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Heartland Pioneer, most frequently naming the electrical and tires & wheels categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Electrical150.0%
  • Tires & wheels150.0%

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

4 campaigns cover this model year

View all 4

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
21V428000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS

Jun 4, 2021
22,326 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC. (Heartland) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Mallard, Shadow Cruiser, Sundance XLTTT, Wilderness, Prowler, Trail Runner, 2018-2019 Pioneer, Terry Classic, 2020-2021 Lithium, and 2021 North Trail trailers equipped with a Winntec model 6020 two-stage propane regulator. The regulator may fail, causing an increase in propane pressure.
The risk: Increased propane pressure can enlarge the flames in gas appliances, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Dealers will replace the regulator and test the propane system for leaks, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 3, 2021. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
19V525000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

Jul 12, 2019
5,598 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2017 Bighorn Traveler, 2016-2020 Elkridge, Elkridge Ex, 2019-2020 Milestone, 2017-2018 North Peak, 2016-2017 Oakmont, 2017-2020 Pioneer FW, 2016-2018 Prowler FW, 2017-2019 Sundance and Sundance XLTFW trailers. The A/C electrical connector may have been improperly installed, possibly causing increased electrical resistance and the connection to overheat.
The risk: Overheating of the connection can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Heartland will notify owners, and dealers will correct the electrical connections, free of charge. The recall began on September 5, 2019. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.47.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99.01.47View on NHTSA.gov
17V690000

EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS:LINES AND FITTINGS

Nov 1, 2017
561 units potentially affected
The defect: Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLC (Heartland) is recalling certain 2018 Pioneer recreational trailers. The liquid propane (LP) manifold block may be mounted too close to the center shackle, allowing the shackle to hit the LP hose fitting and cause a propane leak.
The risk: A leaking LP system can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy: Heartland has notified owners, and dealers will re-locate the manifold block further from the shackle area, free of charge. The recall began on November 14, 2017. Owners may contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032. Heartland's number for this recall is 99.01.37.
Heartland Recreational Vehicles, LLCManufacturer number 99.01.37View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Electrical
Filed Jun 4, 2024

The contact owns a 2018 Heartland Pioneer RV. The contact stated that while outside and touching the RV, the contact experienced electrical shocks. The electrical shocks had occurred only while kneeling and touching the RV. While examining the RV, the contact discovered that the electrical wiring to the air conditioning unit was chard and burnt. Additionally, the air condition compressor had overheated. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 100.

NHTSA ID
11592331
Incident
Jun 30, 2023
Mileage
100 mi
Tires & wheels
Filed Jun 8, 2022

On Thursday, April 15, 2021, at approximately 1415, I was traveling east on I-10 in Florida at approximately Mile Marker 130, when I felt my travel trailer start to sway, looked in my passengers side rear-view mirror and noticed tire pieces flying everywhere. I immediately slowed to a stop as I pulled to the shoulder of the road. By the time I pulled to the side of the road the tire had disintegrated, there was nothing left of the tire but the beads, and the wheel was damaged. When the tire blew out, I was on an overpass when the trailer began to sway back and forth. Since it is a single axle trailer it sways more than a tandem axle would. Fortunately, I installed a weight distribution hitch with anti sway. If this had not been the set up, no telling what would have happened, but even with this setup, there was definitely notable sway felt in the drivers seat of a loaded GMC 2500HD crew cab 4X4. The problem has not been evaluated or attempted to be reproduced by any one. Pictures were sent to the insurance company/roadside assistance. There were no previous symptoms prior to the tire blowing out. Having driven big trucks, 18 wheels, most of my life, 40 years at the time of this incident, I understand the importance of tire maintenance and proper inflation. Prior to starting the trip from Longview, TX, tire pressure was checked and it was 80psi, an overnight stop in Vicksburg, MS prior to starting out the morning of the incident, pressures were confirmed cold at 80psi. I always carry an air source with me just in case. And during inspection prior to starting out, there was no visual indication of tire failure, or anywhere along the trip when stops were made, the tires were visually inspected. It's just habit to do a visual inspection of truck and trailer, especially tires at every stop. At the time of this incident, the tires were factory installed new. And had less than 2,000 miles. If needed I can give exact mileage via google maps.

NHTSA ID
11468204
Incident
Apr 15, 2021

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

5SF-033018

STRUCTURE:BODY

It has been determined that the sidewall header for the slide room opening is insufficient to support the weight and could over time sag causing a gap in the slide room seal. This gap could allow water penetration.

5SF-032618

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Dometic Furnace Limit Switch service bulletin on all Small & Medium Furnaces (AFS, AFM, DFS, DFM). Fiberglass sleeve over the exhaust tube to prevent wire from shorting and blowing protective fuse.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Heartland Pioneer by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2024010—
2023020—
2022120—
2021010—
2020120—
2019160—
2018Viewing240—
2017110—
2016100—
2015010—
2014010—
2013010—

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.