Recall 19V154 affects 59 2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch trailers for ungreased axle bearings. Repair is free at any franchised Charles Machine dealer.
Charles Machine is recalling 59 2019 Ditch Witch trailers because the axle bearings were not greased. Ungreased bearings can let a wheel lock up, which affects handling and raises crash risk; Charles Machine dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle on the 2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch trailer is a non-powered axle assembly. It does not drive the trailer; it supports the trailer weight and lets the wheels rotate freely through bearings inside the hub. Those bearings need grease so the metal surfaces can turn under load without overheating.
On affected trailers, the axle supplier missed the greasing step for certain bearing batches. Without grease, the bearing runs with too much friction, builds heat, and wears quickly. As the bearing tightens, the wheel hub can stop turning, which is what owners and Charles Machine saw when trailer axles locked up.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall record says owners do not get an advance symptom before the bearing issue shows itself, so a trailer that seems normal still needs inspection if its VIN is included.
Who's affected?
| 2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch | rear suspension |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 59 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 2 field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle.
What's the safety risk?
Ungreased axle bearings can let a wheel lock up while the vehicle is moving, affecting handling and increasing the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so schedule the axle inspection and hub rework promptly if your VIN is included. Repair is free at any franchised Charles Machine dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Charles Machine dealer to schedule the free axle inspection.
- Schedule the hub rework if the dealer finds an affected axle batch; the repair addresses ungreased axle bearings that can lock a wheel and affect handling.
- Bring the recall notice if Charles Machine mailed one. If not, reference recall number 19V154 when you call.
- Avoid hauling loads or highway trips until the axle inspection and any needed hub repair are complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Charles Machine technician inspects the trailer axles for the affected batch number. If an axle is included, the technician reworks the hubs with new seals and bearings as needed, free under the recall. Parts and labor are covered. Charles Machine's general reimbursement plan is on file for owners who already paid out of pocket for this axle bearing or hub repair before the recall notice. Bring repair invoices and payment documentation to the service desk or contact Charles Machine customer service for claim instructions.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 1, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 5, 2019 | Dealer notification began |
| March 5, 2019 | Dealer notification ended |
| March 15, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| March 25, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V154?
Recall 19V154 covers 59 2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch VT24 trailers with axle bearings that were not greased. The bearings can cause a wheel to lock up, affect trailer handling, and raise crash risk. Dealers will inspect the axles and rework the hubs for free.
What should I do if my 2019 Charles Machine Ditch Witch is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 19V154. If it is, contact a franchised Charles Machine dealer and ask for the axle inspection and hub rework under recall ID0555609. The dealer repair is free.
Does the recall repair cost anything?
No. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Charles Machine said dealers will inspect the axles and install new seals and bearings as needed free of charge.
Is it safe to tow my Charles Machine Ditch Witch trailer before the repair?
The safety risk is a wheel lockup from ungreased axle bearings. That can affect trailer handling and raise crash risk. If your VIN is included, ask the dealer whether the trailer should be towed, transported, or inspected before normal use.
When did the Charles Machine Ditch Witch recall repair start?
The recall repair began March 25, 2019. Since that date has passed, owners can contact a franchised Charles Machine dealer for the axle inspection and hub repair. Charles Machine customer service is listed at 1-800-654-6481.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V154000 |
|---|---|
| Charles Machine customer service | 1-800-654-6481 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V154 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V154000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →