Recall 23V278 covers 100 2023 Heartland Big Country and Bighorn fifth wheels with incorrect tire-label information. Heartland mailed owners replacement labels free.
Heartland is recalling 100 2023 Big Country and Bighorn fifth wheels because the federal certification label lists incorrect tire information. That error can lead to installation of the wrong tire size and increase the risk of a crash; Heartland dealers will replace the label free of charge.
Does this recall apply to your specific vehicle?
The official, free per-VIN recall check is run by NHTSA. Enter your VIN and we'll forward you directly — and add you to a free watchlist so you hear about new recalls for your vehicle.
Check my VIN at NHTSARecallNotify doesn't check your VIN — NHTSA's official tool does. We use your email only to alert you to new recalls.
Watch this vehicle for recalls
Add it to your free watchlist and we will alert you as new federal recalls are posted for your year, make and model. New-recall alerts are rolling out now.
You are on the watchlist.
We will email you as new federal recalls are posted for your vehicle.
What's wrong?
The federal certification label and tire placard on 2023 Heartland Big Country and Bighorn fifth wheels are supposed to tell an owner, dealer, or tire shop the tire size the trailer was built to use. That label is the quick reference for matching replacement tires and checking that the trailer is equipped according to its certification information.
On the included fifth wheels, the printed label lists ST235/80R16G tires, but the trailers actually have ST255/85R16E tires installed. The problem is not that the tire itself is described as defective in this recall. The mismatch is the wrong size information on the Federal VIN tag and tire placard, which means an owner or service shop can rely on the wrong tire specification when replacing or checking tires.
There is no warning sign before failure. Because this is a label and placard error, the trailer will not give a sound, light, or handling symptom that tells you the certification information is wrong.
Who's affected?
Big Country and Bighorn use the same federal certification label and tire placard at issue in this recall.
| 2023 Heartland Big Country | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
|---|---|
| 2023 Heartland Bighorn | vehicle label (placard or certification) |
| Units affected | 100 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching model year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
Incorrect tire-size information can lead an owner or shop to install a tire that does not match the trailer's certification label, increasing the risk of a crash. Until the label is replaced, confirm the correct tire size before installing tires. Repair is free at any franchised Heartland dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023 Heartland Big Country or Bighorn fifth wheel is included in this recall.
- Contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 to request the free replacement certification label with the correct tire information.
- Install the replacement certification label Heartland sends; it corrects the tire-size information on the federal label.
- Reference recall number 23V278 when you call if you have not received the label.
- Use the corrected label before buying or installing tires, and match any tire work to that information.
What happens at the repair
Heartland handles this recall by mailing owners corrected certification labels at no charge. The repair is the corrected label itself, not a mechanical replacement: it gives the 2023 Big Country and Bighorn the correct tire information required for the vehicle. Parts and mailing are covered under the recall. If you already paid out of pocket for a related label correction, Heartland's general reimbursement plan covers eligible expenses. Keep receipts and any repair paperwork, then contact Heartland customer service to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| April 19, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 31, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| June 17, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| June 17, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 17, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V278?
Recall 23V278 covers 100 2023 Heartland Big Country and Bighorn fifth wheels with federal certification labels that list incorrect tire information. Incorrect tire size information can lead to installation of the wrong tire size, increasing crash risk. Heartland will mail replacement certification labels free of charge.
What should I do if my 2023 Heartland Big Country or Bighorn is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific fifth wheel is included in recall 23V278. If it is, contact Heartland customer service at 1-877-262-8032 and ask for the replacement certification label. Heartland mailed owner letters on May 31, 2023.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to provide recall remedies at no cost, and Heartland's remedy for recall 23V278 is a replacement certification label mailed free of charge. Keep the new label with the fifth wheel once you receive it.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is that incorrect tire size information on the certification label can lead someone to install the wrong tire size. That can increase crash risk. Confirm your VIN, use the corrected label information, and contact Heartland if the replacement label has not arrived.
What if I bought this Heartland fifth wheel used?
The recall still follows the vehicle, not the first owner. If you bought the Big Country or Bighorn used and never received Heartland's letter, check your VIN and call Heartland customer service with recall number 23V278 to request the free replacement label.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V278000 |
|---|---|
| Heartland customer service | 1-877-262-8032 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V278 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V278000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →