Recall 13V188 affects 9 Magic Tilt Boat Trailer units for brake actuator wear and trailer braking loss. Repair is free at Magic Tilt dealers.
Magic Tilt is recalling 9 Boat Trailer units manufactured from October 17, 2011, through January 24, 2012, under recall 13V188 because a Carlisle brake actuator hydraulic pump component missed heat treatment and can wear too fast. If the pump fails, the trailer can lose braking ability, which can lead to loss of control and raise the risk of a crash, serious injuries, or property damage; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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 brake actuator on these Magic Tilt Boat Trailer units is part of the hydraulic trailer brake system. Its hydraulic pump moves brake fluid under pressure so the trailer brakes can help slow the trailer when the tow vehicle stops. The actuator has to hold up under repeated braking loads.
The recalled trailers use Carlisle brake actuators with a rotating pump component that missed a heat treat operation. Heat treating is the hardening step that helps metal parts resist wear. Without that hardening, the component wears faster than it should. As wear builds, the hydraulic pump can fail and the trailer can lose braking ability.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not rely on noise, pedal feel, or a visible leak to confirm the problem before the actuator stops providing normal trailer braking.
Who's affected?
This recall is tied to trailer build dates instead of a model year.
| Magic Tilt Boat Trailer | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 9 |
A model name alone does not confirm inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific trailer is included.
What's the safety risk?
A loss of trailer braking ability can make the trailer harder to control and increase the risk of a crash, serious injuries, or property damage. If braking feels wrong while towing, slow down, pull over where safe, and arrange service before another trip. Repair will be free at any franchised Magic Tilt dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your Magic Tilt Boat Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact Magic Tilt customer service at 1-800-998-8458 to confirm the free actuator replacement path.
- Schedule the brake-actuator replacement that fixes the hydraulic pump wear linked to loss of trailer braking.
- Reference recall number 13V188 when you call, and bring the recall notice if you have it.
- Tow the trailer or drive slowly and leave extra stopping distance until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
Magic Tilt's filed remedy says owners were notified beginning June 15, 2013. Once the dealer repair is available for your trailer, a Magic Tilt technician replaces the brake actuator assembly tied to the Carlisle hydraulic brake pump. That actuator helps create hydraulic brake pressure for the trailer. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. Use your VIN or trailer identification with the dealer so the service desk can confirm the trailer is included before ordering parts or scheduling the work.
Timeline
| May 9, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 15, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V188?
Recall 13V188 covers 9 Magic Tilt Boat Trailer units built from October 17, 2011, through January 24, 2012. The Carlisle brake actuator hydraulic pump can wear faster than normal and fail, causing loss of trailer braking. Magic Tilt dealers will replace the actuator for free.
What should I do if my Magic Tilt Boat Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 13V188. If it is, contact a Magic Tilt dealer to schedule the brake actuator replacement. Reference recall number 13V188 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Magic Tilt dealers will replace the affected brake actuator free of charge. Magic Tilt also lists 1-800-998-8458 for owner questions about this recall.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of trailer braking. If the hydraulic brake actuator fails, the trailer loses braking ability, which can lead to loss of control of the trailer and raise the risk of a crash, serious injury, or property damage.
When did Magic Tilt start this recall?
Magic Tilt began the recall on June 15, 2013. The company said owners would be notified, and dealers would replace the affected actuators on the trailers for free. If you never received a notice, check your VIN and call a Magic Tilt dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V188000 |
|---|---|
| Magic Tilt customer service | 1-800-998-8458 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V188 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V188000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (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 →