Recall 21V177 covers 456 2008-2021 Ditch Witch vacuum-excavator trailers missing front side reflectors. Repair is free at any franchised Ditch Witch dealer.
Ditch Witch is recalling 456 2008-2021 S4S, ZS6S, 025-1020, 745-7900, and ZS6S-1 trailers built to carry the FX20 vacuum excavator because side reflex reflectors near the front of the trailer are missing. The missing reflective equipment reduces visibility to other drivers and increases crash risk, and Ditch Witch dealers will install the reflectors free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The red side reflex reflector on these 2008-2021 Ditch Witch S4S, 025-1020, 745-7900, ZS6S, and ZS6S-1 trailers is a passive safety marker. It reflects another driver's headlights so the front side of the trailer is visible at night or in low light. These trailers are built to carry the FX20 vacuum excavator skid, so the reflector helps other road users read the trailer's length and position.
On affected trailers, the required side reflector or conspicuity tape near the front of the trailer was left off. The issue was found on a trailer in factory inventory, and Ditch Witch was unable to rule out the same omission on delivered trailers. The trailer still hauls equipment, but the front side is less visible from an angle when another vehicle's headlights hit it.
There is no warning sign before failure. Owners should inspect the front side of the trailer for the red reflector or conspicuity tape, then have a Ditch Witch dealer complete the recall repair if the VIN is included.
Who's affected?
Spans 5 Ditch Witch models across the 2008-2021 model years, all tied to the same red reflector.
| 2013 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
|---|---|
| 2008 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2013 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2014 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Ditch Witch 745-7900 | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Ditch Witch ZS6S-1 | Exterior lighting |
| 2021 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Ditch Witch 025-1020 | Exterior lighting |
| 2009 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2010 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2012 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2016 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2020 Ditch Witch S4S | Exterior lighting |
| 2019 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2018 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2017 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2015 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| 2011 Ditch Witch ZS6S | Exterior lighting |
| Units affected | 456 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included.
What's the safety risk?
Missing side reflex reflectors reduce trailer visibility to other drivers, which increases the risk of a crash. Use extra caution around traffic and schedule the inspection soon, especially before towing at night or in low light. Dealers inspect the trailer and add the reflectors as needed. Repair is free at any franchised Ditch Witch dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2008-2021 Ditch Witch ZS6S, S4S, 745-7900, 025-1020, or ZS6S-1 trailer is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ditch Witch dealer to schedule the free side-reflector inspection and installation that restores the trailer's side visibility.
- Bring the recall notice if Ditch Witch has mailed one, and reference recall number 21V177 when you call.
- Use extra caution towing the trailer until the reflectors are installed, especially around traffic at dawn, dusk, or night.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Ditch Witch technician inspects the trailer for side reflex reflectors near the front and installs missing reflectors as needed. The inspection and reflector installation are free under NHTSA campaign 21V177. Charles Machine has a general reimbursement plan on file for owners who already paid for the same reflector repair before the recall work. Keep repair documentation and contact Charles Machine customer service to ask how to submit the claim.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 15, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| March 15, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| March 31, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V177?
Recall 21V177 covers 456 2008-2021 Ditch Witch vacuum excavator trailers, including ZS6S, S4S, 745-7900, 025-1020, and ZS6S-1 models. The issue is missing side reflex reflectors near the front of the trailer. Ditch Witch dealers will inspect and add reflectors for free.
What should I do if my 2008-2021 Ditch Witch ZS6S, S4S, 745-7900, 025-1020, or ZS6S-1 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific trailer is included in recall 21V177. If it is, contact a franchised Ditch Witch dealer to schedule the reflector inspection. The dealer will add side reflex reflectors as needed at no cost. Reference recall number 21V177 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Ditch Witch dealers will inspect the trailer for side reflex reflectors and add them as needed free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility to other drivers. Without the required side reflex reflectors near the front of the trailer, the vacuum excavator trailer is harder to see, increasing crash risk. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer inspection.
What if I bought the Ditch Witch trailer used?
The free repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the trailer, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Ditch Witch trailer is included, then call a franchised Ditch Witch dealer or Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V177000 |
|---|---|
| Ditch Witch customer service | 1-800-654-6481 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V177 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V177000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (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 23, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →