Hearth Record

Trailer hitches (Charles Machine)

Vehicle recall 19V-490. NHTSA received Charles Machine Works Inc’s report on Jun 25, 2019.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received Charles Machine Works Inc’s report on Jun 25, 2019. 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?

Without a sufficient clamp load, the hitch may unexpectedly detach from the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.

Charles Machine Works Inc (Charles Machine) is recalling certain 2018 Ditch Witch VT17, 2018-2019 VT20 and VT24 trailers.

The lock nuts that attach the hitch to the trailer may be insufficient to clamp the load after the hitch height has been adjusted.

Source:

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

  • NHTSA’s part: Trailer hitches.

What should you do?

Charles Machine has notified owners, and will provide new hardware, free of charge. The recall began June 28, 2019. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481. Charles Machine’s number for this recall is ID0568989.

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 290 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.

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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