2013 Heartland Big Country problems: recalls, complaints and what to check
NHTSA has 2 recalls and 4 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Heartland Big Country, including 1 fire. 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, 1 complaint
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.
Recall 13V181000 (07/05/2013): EQUIPMENT
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.
Fix: 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.
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
Axles, brakes, suspension and hitch: 2 complaints
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
Structure, roof and leaks: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Roof sealant, seams, window and slide seals, and the frame. Water intrusion shows up as delamination, soft floors and stained ceilings months after the leak started. Before you buy: Press the sidewalls and walk the floor; look at every seam and seal.
Roof, leaks and body lessons · Seals and leaks guide
12 volt and 120 volt electrical: 1 complaint
What a tech checks: Voltage drop, grounds, the converter and the transfer switch. Melted shore-cord plugs and bad grounds cause most of the electrical complaints techs actually see. Before you buy: Battery at rest, converter output on shore power, GFCI test, every outlet.
12 V electrical lessons · 120 V and generator lessons · Wiring diagrams
What owners reported to NHTSA
08/28/2017, TIRES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HEARTLAND BIG COUNTRY RECREATIONAL VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH DYNAMIC TIRES, SIZE: 235/80P16. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS MISSING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE TIRE AND FOUND THAT PART OF IT WAS DISINTEGRATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AND THE TIRE WAS NOT REPLACED. THE RECREATIONAL VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE MILEAGE TO REPORT. THE T
08/14/2013, TIRES,WHEELS: WE WERE NORTH ON INTERSTATE 75 NEAR KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE TOWING OUR 2013 5 MONTH OLD HEARTLAND BIG COUNTRY RV WITH OUR 2012 FORD F250 SUPER DUTY. A PASSING MOTORIST SIGNALED TO US THAT THE LEFT FRONT TIRE OF THE RV WAS FLAT. WE LEFT THE HIGHWAY AND FOUND A TRUCK AND TRAILER REPAIR FACILITY AT THE EXIT. CAUSE OF THE FLAT WAS THAT THE PLIES OF THE TIRE HAD COME APART AND THE OTHER THREE TIRES WERE SO CLOSE TO FAILI
07/08/2014, STRUCTURE,WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER: I WAS PARKED OVER NIGHT AT A CAMPGROUND AND UPON MAKING MY PRE-TRIP INSPECTION, NOTICED SEVERAL BUBBLES ON THE FRONT DRIVER-SIDE RV TIRE. HAD THE TIRE REPLACED AND STARTED OUT LATER THAT AFTERNOON ON MY TRIP. ABOUT TWO HOURS IN, HAD A BLOWOUT ON ONE OF THE OTHER TIRES ON THE RV WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 60 MPH. ROAD SERVICE PUT ON OUR SPARE AND WE WENT TO THE NEXT EXIT A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD
03/05/2014, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 HEARTLAND BIG COUNTRY TRAILER. THE CONTACT STATED THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT HIRED A ELECTRICIAN TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE ELECTRICIAN STATED THERE WAS DEFECTIVE AND LOOSE WIRING UNDER THE CAMPER THAT WAS CAUSING SPARKING UNDERNEATH THE CAMPER. THE ELECTRICIAN ALSO STATED THE FAILURE WAS SO SEVERE THAT THE CAMPER COULD HAVE EXPLODED. ADDITION
Looking at a 2013 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.