Recall 12V171 covers 2 2012 Atc Rsx and Qst car haulers with brake actuator pumps that fail. Free repair at Dexter Axle dealers once available.
Atc is recalling 2 2012 Rsx and Qst car haulers equipped with Dexter Axle electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps after a heat-treatment defect led to premature wear inside the pump. If the actuator fails, the trailer loses braking effort and crash risk rises; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump on the 2012 Atc Rsx and Qst car haulers turns the tow vehicle's brake command into hydraulic brake pressure at the trailer. When the driver applies the brakes, the actuator runs the pump and sends pressurized fluid through the trailer brake system so the trailer slows with the tow vehicle.
This recall involves Dexter Axle brand actuator pumps with improper heat treatment. Heat treatment hardens internal parts so they stand up to repeated pressure and movement. Without that hardness, critical parts inside the pump wear early. Once that wear reaches the operating parts, the actuator can stop working and the trailer brakes lose the hydraulic pressure they need.
There is no warning sign before failure. The pump can become inoperable without a clear change in pedal feel from the tow vehicle, so the VIN and trailer equipment decide whether this recall applies.
Who's affected?
Spans the Rsx and Qst trailer models, both listed under the equipment component.
| 2012 Atc Rsx | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2012 Atc Qst | Equipment |
| Units affected | 2 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
The trailer brakes rely on the electric/hydraulic actuator for braking power. Actuator failure can leave the trailer without braking effort, which increases crash risk. Leave extra stopping distance and schedule the recall repair once the remedy opens. Repair will be free at any franchised Atc dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Atc Rsx or Qst car hauler is included in this recall.
- Contact Atc customer service at 1-877-441-2440 for the notification status and repair instructions.
- Ask whether a Dexter Axle dealer can replace the electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump for free; the replacement fixes the pump failure that removes trailer braking power.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 12V171 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the actuator pump is replaced. Leave extra stopping distance and avoid heavy loads.
What happens at the repair
The notification schedule has not been provided, so do not treat the final repair as open for scheduling yet. Once the remedy opens, an Atc technician will replace the electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump on the affected trailer. The pump supplies hydraulic brake pressure from the trailer's electric brake signal. The dealer repair will be free once available, and Atc says owners can contact its customer line for recall questions.
Timeline
| April 18, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 18, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V171?
Recall 12V171 covers 2 2012 Atc Rsx and Qst car haulers with Dexter Axle electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps that were not properly heat treated. Premature wear inside the pump can make the unit inoperable and reduce trailer braking effort.
What should I do if my 2012 Atc Rsx or Qst is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V171. If it is, contact Atc at 1-877-441-2440 and ask for the Dexter Axle brake actuator pump replacement. Reference recall number 12V171 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Atc's remedy says Dexter Axle dealers will replace the electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of trailer braking effort. The electric/hydraulic brake actuator provides braking power to the trailer brakes, and actuator failure increases crash risk. If your VIN is included, arrange the free pump replacement before relying on the trailer for hauling.
What if I bought this Atc trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2012 Atc Rsx or Qst is included, then contact Atc or the service provider handling Dexter Axle brake actuator replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V171000 |
|---|---|
| Atc customer service | 1-877-441-2440 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V171 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V171000 |
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 →