Recall 13V181 affects 890 2013-2014 Heartland trailers across 9 models for damaged awning motors. Dometic replaces the motors for free.
Heartland is recalling 890 2013-2014 Sundance XLT, Big Country, and other fifth wheel and travel trailers because an incomplete awning installation sequence can damage the awning motor. A damaged motor can let the awning unfurl while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash; the Heartland dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The powered awning on these 2013-2014 Heartland fifth wheel and travel trailers uses an electric motor to extend and retract the fabric shade. The motor turns the awning tube, which rolls the fabric in or out and holds the awning under controlled movement when the switch is used. That motor has to be installed in the correct sequence so its internal parts are not stressed before the awning is put into service.
On affected Big Country, Bighorn, Elk Ridge, Elk Ridge Express, Landmark, Prowler, Silverado, Sundance, and Sundance XLT trailers, the awning installation sequence was not fully followed. That installation error can damage the awning motor without the owner knowing it. A damaged motor can stop the awning from operating correctly or leave the awning harder to control during use.
There is no warning sign before failure. If the motor was damaged during installation, the problem can stay hidden until the awning is operated.
Who's affected?
Covers 9 Heartland trailer lines across the 2013 and 2014 model years, with Equipment listed for each model.
| 2014 Heartland Sundance XLT | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2014 Heartland Big Country | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Landmark | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Prowler | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Prowler | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Silverado | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Sundance | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Sundance | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Bighorn | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Sundance XLT | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Silverado | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Elk Ridge | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Elk Ridge | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Elk Ridge Express | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Elk Ridge Express | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Landmark | Equipment |
| 2013 Heartland Big Country | Equipment |
| 2014 Heartland Bighorn | Equipment |
| Units affected | 890 |
The year and model narrow the list, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A damaged awning motor can let the awning unfurl unexpectedly while the trailer is parked or moving. That loose awning creates a risk of personal injury and a vehicle crash. Keep the trailer parked until the motor replacement is complete, and call the dealer if the awning looks loose or moves on its own. Repair will be free at any franchised Heartland dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2013-2014 Heartland trailer is included in this awning-motor recall.
- Do not drive the trailer until Heartland or Dometic completes the awning-motor replacement.
- Arrange a tow if the trailer has to be moved for service; do not drive it there yourself.
- Contact Heartland customer service at 1-888-262-5992 for repair instructions and reference recall number 13V181.
- Ask about the awning-motor replacement that fixes the damaged motor condition linked to unexpected awning unfurling.
What happens at the repair
Do not drive the trailer until repairs can be performed. The repair path is for Dometic staff to replace the affected awning motors with motors designed to avoid the out-of-sequence installation error described in the recall. Heartland owners should wait for the repair process tied to this campaign and keep the trailer parked until that work is complete. The final repair will be free once available, with parts and labor covered under the recall.
Timeline
| May 7, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 20, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V181?
Recall 13V181 covers 890 2013-2014 Heartland trailers with Dometic awning motors that can become damaged during installation. If the motor is damaged, the awning can unfurl while parked or in transit, increasing the risk of personal injury or a crash.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Heartland Big Country, Bighorn, Elk Ridge, Elk Ridge Express, Landmark, Prowler, Silverado, Sundance, or Sundance XLT is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V181. If it is, contact Heartland at 1-888-262-5992 and ask how to get the affected Dometic awning motor replaced. Reference recall number 13V181 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 13V181, Heartland said Dometic staff will replace the affected awning motors with a design that is not subject to the installation-sequence error.
Is it safe to tow my Heartland trailer before the awning repair?
Heartland instructed owners not to drive their vehicle until repairs are performed. The concern is that a damaged awning motor can let the awning unfurl unexpectedly while the trailer is at rest or in transit, creating injury and crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V181000 |
|---|---|
| Heartland customer service | 1-888-262-5992 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V181 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V181000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →