The defect
Charles Machine Works Inc. (Charles Machine) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ditch Witch VT9, VT12, VT14, VT17, VT20 and VT24 trailers. The brake wire terminals may have been improperly crimped, which can result in the trailer brakes failing to apply when commanded.
The risk
If the trailer brakes do not apply as expected, the distance required to stop the trailer may be lengthened, increasing the risk of crash.
The remedy
Charles Machine has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake terminals with a machine terminal, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch | 2018, 2019 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| Charles Machine Ditch Witch | 2019 | 0 | 3 |
Other service brakes, electric recalls in 2019
4 of the 880 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2019 concerned the service brakes, electric; Charles Machine Works Inc filed 8 campaigns in all.
| 19V517000 10 Jul 2019 | Keystone RV Company |
| 19V516000 9 Jul 2019 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 19V069000 1 Feb 2019 | Forest River, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2019