NHTSA campaign 15V158000 · Charles Machine campaign ID #0377453
Charles Machine Recall 15V-158: Incorrect Pre-Load on Wheel Bearings
NHTSA recall 15V158000 (Charles Machine campaign ID #0377453) was reported by Charles Machine Works Inc on March 18, 2015, with 590 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Charles Machine Ditch Witch T18 for model years 2013–2015. Owners were notified on April 8, 2015, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 15V158000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 15V158000 (also written 15V-158 or 15V158)
- Filed by
- Charles Machine Works Inc
- Charles Machine campaign number
- ID #0377453
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 590 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Suspension — Rear — Axle — Non-Powered Axle Assembly
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 60.51% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 15V158000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
Charles Machine
Charles Machine Ditch Witch T18
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 15V158000.
Defect description
Charles Machine Works Inc (Charles Machine) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Ditch Witch T18 tandem axle trailers manufactured January 1, 2013, to February 15, 2015, and with or without vacuum excavators mounted on them. The wheel hubs of the affected trailers may have incorrect bearing pre-loads which can cause the trailer wheels to lock up.
Safety consequence
A trailer wheel lock up would increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Charles Machine will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the axles, and replace the bearings, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2015. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481. Charles Machine's number for this recall is ID #0377453.
Notes
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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 15V158000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.