2018–2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch Recall: Lock nuts that attach the hitch to the trailer may be insufficient to…
NHTSA campaign 19V490000 · Trailer Hitches · filed Jun 25, 2019 · verified Jul 30, 2026
The defect
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.
The risk
Without a sufficient clamp load, the hitch may unexpectedly detach from the trailer, increasing the risk of a crash.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →The fix — what to 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.
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.
Affected vehicles
| Make | Model | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Machine | Ditch Witch | 2018, 2019 |
Related recalls
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All Charles Machine Ditch Witch recalls → · All Charles Machine recalls →
Source: NHTSA recall database, campaign 19V490000 (manufacturer number ID0568989). Data last verified Jul 30, 2026.