VehicleVerdict

2013 Heartland Big Country problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 7 complaints on file for the 2013 Heartland Big Country — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

7

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2013 compare to other Big Country years?

Big Country NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted7 complaints2007: 0 complaints2008: 0 complaints2009: 1 complaints2010: 0 complaints2011: 3 complaints2012: 3 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 1 complaints2015: 3 complaints2016: 1 complaints2022: 0 complaints2023: 0 complaints2024: 0 complaints
Big Country NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Big Country years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Heartland Big Country problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Tires & Wheels457%
Electrical System114%
Other114%
Body & Structure114%

Does the 2013 Heartland Big Country have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V482000OtherJuly 30, 2015 · 1,680 units

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."

Consequence

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.

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.

13V181000OtherMay 7, 2013 · 890 units

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.

Consequence

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.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 26, 2017

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 30, 2014

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 4, 2014 · fire

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 30, 2014

2013 Heartland Big Country — common questions

Is the 2013 Heartland Big Country reliable?

The record is thin — 7 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2013 Heartland Big Country have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Heartland Big Country. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.