NHTSA Complaint #10163537 — 2007 HEARTLAND BIGHORN

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 5TH WHEEL TRAILER'S FRONT AND REAR AXLES FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH WHEN A BUMP WAS FELT, AND THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS OBSERVED TO BE DETACHED FROM THE FRONT AXLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE FRONT AXLE WAS OBSERVED TO BE DAMAGED. THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE WHICH OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON 06/26/06 WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW FRONT AXLE WHICH WAS OFFERED AT NO CHARGE. AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE COMPANY HIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER, BROUGHT THE NEW AXLE ON 06/29/06 AND REPLACED THE FRONT AXLE. ON 07/21/06, THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING LOT WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS OBSERVED TO BE DETACH FROM THE REAR AXLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ON 07/21/06 WHO SENT A REPLACEMENT UNDER WARRANTY ON 07/22/06. THE VEHICLE IS A 2007 HEARTLAND BIG HORN 3055 RL.*AK UPDATED 8/16/2006 - *NM