Hearth Record

Service brakes; electrical system: wiring (Ditch Witch)

Vehicle recall 16V-541. NHTSA received Charles Machine Works Inc’s report on Jul 19, 2016.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received Charles Machine Works Inc’s report on Jul 19, 2016. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 19, 2026.

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

What’s wrong with it?

If the trailer brakes do not activate in the event of a trailer breakaway, there would be an increased risk of a crash.

Charles Machine Works Inc.

(Charles Machine) is recalling certain model year 2016 Ditch Witch T14MV trailers manufactured June 23, 2015, to July 01, 2016.

The affected trailers may have an incorrect wiring harness that could result in the brakes not applying in the event that the trailer separates from the tow vehicle.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Service brakes.
  • NHTSA’s part: Electrical system: wiring.

What should you do?

Charles Machine has notified owners, and dealers will correct the switch wiring, free of charge. The recall began on August 5, 2016. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 79 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Ditch Witch T14MV2016

Who is recalling it?

  • Made by Charles Machine Works Inc.
Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily.

What the record doesn’t say

  • NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
  • Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
  • How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Source:

Hearth Record wrote these lines.

Sources

  • National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).

    Released Oct 19, 2026 and checked Oct 19, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

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 19, 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.

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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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