Recall 12V180 covers 4 2011 Circle W Gooseneck Livestock trailers for E/H brake actuator pump failure. Replacement is free through Dexter Axle dealers.
Circle W is recalling 4 2011 livestock trailers, including CWT68327K, CWT7327K, CWT68288K, and CWT68328K models, because Circle W reported a heat-treatment problem in the Dexter electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump. Premature pump wear can make the actuator inoperable, causing loss of trailer braking effort and increasing crash risk; the Circle W dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The Dexter axle brand electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump sits in the brake system on these 2011 Circle W CWT68327K, CWT7327K, CWT68288K, and CWT68328K gooseneck livestock trailers. Its job is to turn the tow vehicle's electric brake signal into hydraulic pressure at the trailer brakes. When it works normally, the pump helps the trailer slow with the tow vehicle instead of relying on the tow vehicle alone.
On affected trailers, the pump was not properly heat treated. Heat treatment hardens metal parts so they hold their shape and resist wear under repeated load. Without that treatment, important parts inside the pump wear too early. As that wear builds, the pump can stop working and leave the brake actuator unable to provide hydraulic braking force.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should treat weak trailer braking, no trailer brake response, or a brake controller that no longer produces normal braking as a reason to stop using the trailer until the brake system is checked.
Who's affected?
All four model codes are tied to the same equipment component.
| 2011 Circle W CWT68327K | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2011 Circle W CWT7327K | Equipment |
| 2011 Circle W CWT68288K | Equipment |
| 2011 Circle W CWT68328K | Equipment |
| Units affected | 4 |
A matching 2011 Circle W trailer model does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
The E/H brake actuator powers the trailer brakes. If it fails, the trailer can lose braking effort, which increases crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure, so confirm your VIN and arrange service before towing heavy loads. Repair will be free at any franchised Circle W dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011 Circle W CWT68327K, CWT7327K, CWT68288K, or CWT68328K livestock trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Circle W customer service to confirm the free Dexter Axle electric/hydraulic brake-actuator pump replacement for your trailer.
- Ask which Dexter Axle dealer or Circle W service contact will handle the pump replacement that restores trailer brake-actuator operation.
- Reference recall number 12V180 when you call, and bring the recall notice if you have it.
- Tow with extra stopping distance until the repair is complete, since trailer braking effort depends on the actuator pump.
What happens at the repair
Circle W's filing says owners were notified and the electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump replacement is the recall fix. Once the dealer repair is available for your trailer, a Circle W technician replaces the Dexter Axle electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump so the brake actuator system has a correctly treated pump. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Ask the service desk to confirm the VIN and model before the trailer is moved in for the repair.
Timeline
| April 24, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V180?
Recall 12V180 covers 4 2011 Circle W CWT68327K, CWT7327K, CWT68288K, and CWT68328K livestock trailers with Dexter Axle electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps. A failed actuator can cause loss of trailer braking effort and increase crash risk. Dexter Axle dealers replace the pump for free.
What should I do if my 2011 Circle W CWT68327K, CWT7327K, CWT68288K, or CWT68328K is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V180. If it is, contact Circle W at 1-334-374-2560 or ask a Dexter Axle dealer about the free electric/hydraulic brake actuator pump replacement.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy states that Dexter Axle dealers will replace the electric/hydraulic brake actuator pumps free of charge.
What is the safety risk with recall 12V180?
The safety risk is loss of trailer braking effort. In recall 12V180, the electric/hydraulic actuator provides braking power to the trailer brakes. If the actuator fails, the trailer loses braking assistance, increasing the risk of a crash.
What if I bought this Circle W trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. A used trailer owner can check the VIN to confirm inclusion in recall 12V180, then contact Circle W or a Dexter Axle dealer about the free actuator pump replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V180000 |
|---|---|
| Circle W customer service | 1-334-374-2560 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V180 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V180000 |
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 →