NHTSA campaign 16V541000
Ditch Witch Recall 16V-541: Breakaway Brake Switch May Not Work
NHTSA recall 16V541000 was reported by Charles Machine Works Inc on July 19, 2016, with 79 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Ditch Witch T14MV for the 2016 model year. Owners were notified on August 5, 2016, 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 16V541000 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
- 16V541000 (also written 16V-541 or 16V541)
- Filed by
- Charles Machine Works Inc
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 79 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Service Brakes
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 20.25% (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 16V541000. 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.
Ditch Witch
Ditch Witch T14MV
- 2016 · Vehicles built June 23, 2015 – July 1, 2016 (per NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 16V541000.
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
If the trailer brakes do not activate in the event of a trailer breakaway, there would be an increased risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
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.
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 16V541000
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.