Recall 13V209 covers 3 2012 Elite Livestock Trailer trailers with hydraulic brake actuators that wear too quickly. Elite dealers replaced the actuators free.
Elite is recalling 3 2012 Livestock Trailer gooseneck trailers because Carlisle hydraulic brake actuators can wear too quickly after a pump component missed heat treating. Loss of trailer braking can lead to loss of control, crash, serious injuries, or property damage, and the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The hydraulic brake actuator on the 2012 Elite Livestock Trailer is the unit that turns the tow vehicle's braking force into hydraulic pressure for the trailer brakes. Inside the actuator, a hydraulic pump moves brake fluid through the trailer brake system so the wheel brakes apply when the tow vehicle slows.
On affected trailers, one rotating component inside the Carlisle hydraulic brake actuator missed its heat treating step. Heat treating hardens the metal so it can handle repeated motion without wearing too quickly. Without that hardening, the part wears faster than designed. As wear builds, the hydraulic pump can fail, which leaves the trailer without its own braking ability.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first clear symptom can be the trailer not braking as expected when the tow vehicle brakes, so any included trailer should be handled through the free recall repair before regular use.
Who's affected?
| 2012 Elite Livestock Trailer | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 3 |
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?
Loss of braking ability can lead to loss of trailer control, increasing the risk of a crash, serious injuries, or property damage. Treat any braking change as a reason to stop using the trailer and call Elite or the dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Elite dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012 Elite Livestock Trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Elite dealer to confirm whether the Carlisle hydraulic brake actuator replacement is already complete for your trailer.
- Reference recall number 13V209 when you call so the dealer can match the brake-actuator recall to your VIN.
- Ask Elite customer service at 1-800-657-7305 if the dealer cannot confirm the completed repair.
- Tow the trailer for service if braking feels weak or inconsistent; avoid hauling livestock or cargo until the actuator repair is confirmed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Elite technician replaces the defective Carlisle hydraulic brake actuator in the trailer brake system. Elite reported that affected owners were notified and that dealers replaced the defective actuators. If your 2012 Livestock Trailer still shows an open repair for campaign 13V209, ask Elite or the servicing dealer to confirm the actuator replacement and close the recall record. The dealer repair is free once available under the recall.
Timeline
| May 17, 2013 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 17, 2013 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 13V209?
Recall 13V209 covers 3 2012 Elite Livestock Trailer units with Carlisle hydraulic brake actuators that can wear faster than designed and lead to hydraulic pump failure. Elite notified affected owners, and dealers replaced the defective actuators for free.
What should I do if my 2012 Elite Livestock Trailer is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your trailer is included in recall 13V209. If it is, contact an Elite dealer or Elite at 1-800-657-7305 and reference recall 13V209. The actuator replacement is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Elite dealers replaced the defective hydraulic brake actuators free of charge. Keep the recall number with your trailer records when you contact Elite or a dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is loss of trailer braking. If the hydraulic brake pump fails, the trailer can lose braking ability, which can lead to loss of control and increase the risk of a crash, serious injuries, or property damage.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/13V209000 |
|---|---|
| Elite customer service | 1-800-657-7305 |
| NHTSA recall # | 13V209 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 13V209000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - 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 →