2011 Heartland Big Country problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 3 recalls and 3 owner complaints on file for the 2011 Heartland Big Country. Here is what they are, what a technician checks for each kind of fault, and how to look one over before you buy it.
Other: 2 recalls
Recall 17V750000 (22/11/2017): EQUIPMENT
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
Fix: 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.
Recall 15V482000 (30/07/2015): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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."
Fix: 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.
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 1 recall, 1 complaint
Recall 10V461000 (08/10/2010): POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
HEARTLAND IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 FIFTH WHEEL TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH DEXTER AXLES. ON SOME AXLES, CRACKS COULD APPEAR IN THE SPINDLE WELD.
Fix: 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.
What a tech checks: Bearings, brake magnets, worn shackle bolts and bent axles. A trailer that wears tires on the inside edge or pulls to one side usually has an axle or suspension problem. Before you buy: Bolts tight, springs not flat, brakes apply with the breakaway pin pulled.
Chassis and towing lessons · Trailer guide
Tires: 2 complaints
What a tech checks: Age, load range and pressure. RV tires age out before they wear out, and an underrated tire on a heavy trailer is a blowout waiting to happen. Before you buy: Read the DOT date and the load range on the sidewall.
Chassis, towing and tires lessons · Trailer guide
What owners reported to NHTSA
11/03/2012, WHEELS: THE AFFECTED PARTS SECTION ABOVE WOULD NOT KEEP MY AFFECTED PARTS LISTED, SO THEY WERE THE DELAMINATED TIRE, FENDER SKIRTING AND SOME WIRING. WHILE TOWING MY 2011 3250 TS BIG COUNTRY FIFTH WHEEL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH MY DRIVERS SIDE FRONT TIRE TREAD ON THE CAMPER DELAMINATED. THE CAMPER WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THE TREAD OF THE TOWMAX STR ST235/80R16 HAD DELAMINATED HALFWAY OF
09/29/2012, TIRES: TREAD CAME OFF TIRE WILL TRAVELING ON I-515 IN HENDERSON NV. TIRE WAS PROPERLY INFLATED AS WE HAD LEFT THE SERVICING DEALERSHIP JUST 30 MINUTES PRIOR. THIS BRAND OF TIRE SEEMS TO HAVE A HIGH FAILURE RATE IF THE COMPLAINTS ON THE HEARTLAND OWNERS FORUM ARE ANY INDICATION. *TR
08/20/2013, TIRES: WITHIN ONE HOUR OF LEAVING HOME HAD THREE SEPARATE TIRE BLOWOUTS ON RV. TIRES DID NOT APPEAR WORN, INFLATED PROPERLY, LOAD APPROPRIATE, AND STORED UNDER COVER. LESS THAN 6000 MILES ON THESE 2 YEAR OLD ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON HEARTLAND BIG COUNTRY RV. OCCURRED ON I-35 DALLAS CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO RV, AND RESULTING IN PURCHASE ON THE SPOT OF 4 NEW TIRES. TIRES APPEARED TOTALLY SEPERATED. *TR
Looking at a 2011 Heartland Big Country?
The Buyer's Check walks you through it on your phone: what to ask, the outside walk-around, water damage, every system on every power source, with the recalls above built in. You get a report that says what's a walk-away and what to negotiate on.
Checked against NHTSA 2026-10-23. Recall repairs are free at an authorized dealer. Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA and are not verified.