2013 Heartland Elk Ridge problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Tires (2) · Suspension (1)
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2013-05-07 · campaign 13V181000 · 890 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
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.
What owners report
2016-04-30 · Tires · 1,400 mi“while towing my fifth wheel rv on i40 approximately 30 miles east of sevierville, tn. i had a blowout on the front passenger side tire on my fifth wheel. my speed was around 60 mph and the tires had less than 1500 total miles since new. i immediately pulled off to the side of the road to inspect the damage and phone for service.…”
2014-10-09 · Suspension · 4,500 mi“while driving on hwy 101 the rear leaf springs on the rear axle snapped. not a clean break by a jagged one. the remaining leaf springs held. the leaf springs according to the dealer are rated at 3000 on each spring. total 12000 lbs for a gvwr trailer of 14600 lbs. i would say that is under sprung and no room for error. you need to look at this. s…”
2014-10-07 · Tires · 1,200 mi“i have a heartland trailer which i purchased new in nov of 2012. on our first trip the tire blew on the trailer. traded it for the spare and the warranty company tredit replaced the tire. two months later another blowout with two other tires. i replaced al four tire with a different brand. in asking the heartland owners forum about this problem the…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.