Hearth Record

Service brakes, hydraulic (Ditch Witch)

Vehicle recall 03V-046. NHTSA received CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC’s report on Feb 13, 2003.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC’s report on Feb 13, 2003. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 23, 2026.

Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.

What’s wrong with it?

IF THE TRAILER DETACHES FROM THE TOW VEHICLE, THERE WILL BE NO BRAKING CAPABILITY, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

ON CERTAIN TRAILERS EQUIPPED WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES, THE BREAKAWAY BRAKES DO NOT WORK.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Service brakes, hydraulic.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE ACTUATOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 28, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHARLES MACHINE AT 1-580-336-4402.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 18 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Ditch Witch S7Band 2002, before the model years listed here
  • Ditch Witch T9Sand 2002 and 2003, before the model years listed here

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 23, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • This recall names only model years before 2015, which have no pages here. Your VIN, at NHTSA, says which recalls are open on a vehicle.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

Source:

Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 23, 2026.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Every fact names its source.

Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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