The defect
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS. INCORRECT SEALS WERE INSTALLED IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.
The risk
THE INCORRECT SEAL CAN ALLOW GREASE TO LEAK ONTO THE BRAKES, REDUCING THE BRAKING CAPABILITY OF THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT SEALS IN THE WHEEL ASSSEMBLIES.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| Ditch Witch S5A | 1996, 1997 |
| Ditch Witch T141 | 1996, 1997 |
| Ditch Witch T14AE | 1996, 1997 |
Components: SUSPENSION:REAR
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ditch Witch S5A | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Ditch Witch S5A | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
| Ditch Witch T141 | 1996 | 0 | 1 |
| Ditch Witch T141 | 1997 | 0 | 1 |
| Ditch Witch T14AE | 1996 | 0 | 3 |
| Ditch Witch T14AE | 1997 | 0 | 3 |
Other suspension recalls in 1997
30 of the 268 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 1997 concerned the suspension; CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC filed 9 campaigns in all.
| 97V196004 31 Dec 1997 | VOLVO TRUCKS NORTH AMERICA INC |
| 97V239001 30 Dec 1997 | GREAT DANE TRAILERS, INC. |
| 97V196005 29 Dec 1997 | MACK TRUCKS, INCORPORATED |
| 97V190004 8 Dec 1997 | STARCRAFT RV, INC. |
| 97V214000 1 Dec 1997 | SHOREMASTER, INC. |
| 97V190003 1 Dec 1997 | JAYCO, INC. |
| 97V190005 28 Nov 1997 | COACHMEN RV COMPANY |
| 97V196002 24 Nov 1997 | INTERNATIONAL TRUCK AND ENGINE |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 1997