try.vin
Log in

NHTSA campaign 19V487000

Charles Machine Recall 19V-487: Improperly Crimped Brake Wire Terminals

NHTSA recall 19V487000 was reported by Charles Machine Works Inc on June 21, 2019, with 796 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the Charles Machine Ditch Witch for model years 2018–2019. Owners were notified on June 25, 2019, 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 19V487000 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
19V487000 (also written 19V-487 or 19V487)
Filed by
Charles Machine Works Inc
Report received
Potentially affected
796 vehicles (per NHTSA)
Component
Service Brakes, Electric
Owners notified

Repair completion: 54.15% (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 19V487000. 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

All Charles Machine recalls

NHTSA's recall notice

As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 19V487000.

Defect description

Charles Machine Works Inc. (Charles Machine) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Ditch Witch VT9, VT12, VT14, VT17, VT20 and VT24 trailers. The brake wire terminals may have been improperly crimped, which can result in the trailer brakes failing to apply when commanded.

Safety consequence

If the trailer brakes do not apply as expected, the distance required to stop the trailer may be lengthened, increasing the risk of crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Charles Machine has notified owners, and dealers will replace the brake terminals with a machine terminal, free of charge. The recall began June 25, 2019. 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 19V487000

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.