Hearth Record

Suspension: rear (Ditch Witch)

Vehicle recall 97V-076. NHTSA received CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC’s report on May 6, 1997.

NHTSA’s own record, on nhtsa.gov

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The short answer

NHTSA received CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC’s report on May 6, 1997. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 28, 2026.

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

What’s wrong with it?

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.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: TRAILERS.

INCORRECT SEALS WERE INSTALLED IN THE WHEEL ASSEMBLIES.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • NHTSA’s part: Suspension: rear.

What should you do?

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CORRECT SEALS IN THE WHEEL ASSSEMBLIES.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • How to reach the firm: OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN MAY 27, 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR TRAILERS TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERS ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DITCH WITCH/CHARLES MACHINE AT 1-405-336-3591.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION’S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
  • Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.

Which ones are recalled?

NHTSA counts 88 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.

Source:

NHTSA, Recalls flat file before 2010. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated daily.

  • Ditch Witch T141and 1996 and 1997, before the model years listed here
  • Ditch Witch T14AEand 1996 and 1997, before the model years listed here
  • Ditch Witch S5Aand 1996 and 1997, 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 28, 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 28, 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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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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