Recall 13V205 covers 52 2011-2012 Ferrara Igniter and Ultra firetrucks with leaking brake chambers that can overheat brakes. Ferrara replaced the chambers for free.
Ferrara is recalling 52 2011-2012 Igniter and Ultra firetrucks because the air brake chambers on Meritor axle assemblies can leak pressure and leave the parking brake dragging after release. That brake drag can overheat brake components and raise the risk of a fire; the Ferrara dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The parking brake system on the 2011-2012 Ferrara Igniter and Ultra firetrucks uses air brake chambers on Meritor axle assemblies with disc brakes. An air brake chamber turns air pressure into the force that applies or releases the brake. When the parking brake is released, the chamber must hold pressure so the brake stays fully off while the truck moves.
On affected trucks, the MGM J24 series air brake chambers can leak pressure. That pressure loss lets the parking brake drag even after it is supposed to be released. A dragging brake keeps friction on the disc brake parts, which raises heat in the brake components during operation.
There is no warning sign before failure. A crew or service technician can notice heat, odor, or brake drag after the parking brake has failed to release cleanly.
Who's affected?
Covers Igniter and Ultra fire trucks across the 2011 and 2012 model years, all tied to the same air parking brake component.
| 2011 Ferrara Igniter | Air |
|---|---|
| 2012 Ferrara Ultra | Air |
| 2012 Ferrara Igniter | Air |
| 2011 Ferrara Ultra | Air |
| Units affected | 52 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
Overheated brake components can result in a fire, so treat this as a safety recall that needs prompt dealer attention. If your VIN is included, schedule the brake chamber repair and follow Ferrara's instructions before putting the vehicle back in service. Repair will be free at any franchised Ferrara dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2012 Ferrara Igniter or Ultra is included in this recall.
- Contact Ferrara customer service at 1-800-443-9006 to confirm whether the brake-chamber replacement has already been completed.
- Reference recall number 13V205 when you call Ferrara or a Ferrara service contact.
- Avoid operating the firetruck until Ferrara confirms the MGM J24 air brake chamber repair is complete; brake drag can overheat brake components.
What happens at the repair
Ferrara says it notified every affected owner and replaced the affected brake chambers. The repair addresses the MGM J24 air brake chambers on the Meritor axle assemblies, which can leak pressure and let the parking brake drag after release. A Ferrara technician removes the affected chambers and installs replacement brake chambers so the parking brake releases correctly. The recall repair is free, and Ferrara lists owner contact at 1-800-443-9006 for questions about this campaign.
Timeline
| May 16, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 16, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V205?
Recall 13V205 covers 52 2011-2012 Ferrara Igniter and Ultra firetrucks with MGM J24 series air brake chambers on Meritor axle assemblies. The chambers can leak pressure, let the parking brake drag after release, and overheat brake components. Ferrara reported that it replaced the affected brake chambers.
What should I do if my 2011-2012 Ferrara Igniter or Ultra is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific firetruck is included in recall 13V205. If it is, contact Ferrara or your Ferrara service representative and reference recall 13V205. Ferrara reported that it notified affected owners and replaced the affected brake chambers.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Ferrara reported that the affected brake chambers were replaced. If your firetruck still shows an open recall, call Ferrara at 1-800-443-9006 and ask for recall 13V205 repair status.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is brake-component overheating that can result in a fire. The defect involves leaking air brake chambers that let the parking brake drag when it is supposed to be released. Confirm the VIN and make sure the brake chamber replacement is complete.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V205000 |
|---|---|
| Ferrara customer service | 1-800-443-9006 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V205 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V205000 |
Source documents
-
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 →