Recall 12V290 affects 589 2012-2013 Trailstar Tahoe and Nitro boat trailers for overheating brakes. Repair is free at any franchised Trailstar dealer.
Trailstar is recalling 589 2012-2013 boat trailers, including Tahoe Q5 and Nitro Z9 models, because a brake actuator bracket can block full master-cylinder shaft-rod travel. Brake overheating at the wheels can cause brake failure or wheel bearing failure and increase crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once Trailstar makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The brake actuator on the 2012-2013 Trailstar Nitro and Tahoe boat trailers is the part that starts braking when the tow vehicle slows. Inside the actuator, a master cylinder shaft rod moves through its full travel and pushes brake fluid pressure to the trailer brakes. That motion helps the trailer slow without putting all the work on the tow vehicle.
In NHTSA campaign 12V290, a welded bracket inside the brake actuator shell is out of position. The bracket blocks the full range of motion for the master cylinder shaft rod. When the rod cannot move as designed, the trailer brakes stay applied or drag enough to build heat at the wheels. That heat can lead to brake failure and wheel bearing failure.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall does not identify an owner-noticeable symptom that appears before the actuator problem overheats the brakes, so the trailer can feel normal until the issue has already started.
Who's affected?
Tahoe and Nitro trailer models are included across the 2012-2013 model years, with equipment listed as the shared component.
| 2013 Trailstar Tahoe Q5 | Equipment |
|---|---|
| 2013 Trailstar Tahoe Q7 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe Q8 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe 195 | Equipment |
| 2013 Trailstar Tahoe 195 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Nitro Z9 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Nitro Z7 Sport | Equipment |
| 2013 Trailstar Tahoe 215 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe 215 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe Q4 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Nitro Z8 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Nitro 290 Sport | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe 22 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe Q5 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Nitro Z7 | Equipment |
| 2012 Trailstar Tahoe Q7 | Equipment |
| 2013 Trailstar Tahoe Q4 | Equipment |
| Units affected | 589 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
The brake actuator issue increases the risk of a crash if the defect occurs. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and avoid towing if braking feels abnormal. Repair will be free at any franchised Trailstar dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Trailstar Tahoe or Nitro boat trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Trailstar customer service at 1-417-873-4588 to confirm repair scheduling for the free brake-actuator replacement.
- Reference recall number 12V290 when you call or speak with the dealer.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it. If not, ask the dealer to look up the recall by VIN and campaign number.
- Avoid towing the trailer until the brake actuator is repaired, since overheated brakes or wheel bearing failure increase crash risk.
What happens at the repair
The record does not list a current remedy status, so do not assume the final repair is ready until the dealer confirms it for your VIN. Once available, a Trailstar technician replaces the brake actuators at no charge. That repair addresses the actuator shell bracket issue that restricts movement of the master cylinder shaft rod and overheats the trailer brakes. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| June 22, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 16, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V290?
Recall 12V290 covers 589 2012-2013 Trailstar Nitro and Tahoe boat trailers with a brake-actuator bracket defect. The bracket can limit master-cylinder shaft movement, overheat the wheel brakes, and lead to brake failure or wheel-bearing failure, increasing crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Trailstar Nitro or Tahoe boat trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 12V290. If it is, contact a Trailstar dealer to schedule brake-actuator replacement. Reference NHTSA campaign 12V290 when you call. The dealer repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and the recall remedy says dealers will replace the brake actuators free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included 2012-2013 Trailstar trailers.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is brake failure or wheel-bearing failure from overheated wheel brakes. The recall states that either failure increases crash risk. Until your VIN is checked and the repair is complete, avoid loading or towing the trailer in a way that stresses the braking system.
What if I bought this Trailstar trailer used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2012-2013 Trailstar trailer is included, then call a Trailstar dealer with recall 12V290.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V290000 |
|---|---|
| Trailstar customer service | 1-417-873-4588 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V290 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V290000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (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 →