Exterior lighting
- Component
- Exterior lighting
- Manufacturer
- Charles Machine Works, Inc.
- Vehicles affected
- 456
- Reported to NHTSA
- 2021-03-15
- Owners notified
- 2021-03-31
Defect description
Charles Machine Works, Inc. (Charles Machine) is recalling certain 2008-2020 Ditch Witch S4S, 2015-2021 Ditch Witch 025-1020, 2015 Ditch Witch 745-7900, 2009-2019 Ditch Witch ZS6S, and 2010 Ditch Witch ZS6S-1 trailers designed for carrying the FX20 vacuum excavator. The trailers may be missing side reflex reflectors near the front of the trailer. As such, these trailers fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Safety risk
Without the proper reflective equipment, the vacuum excavator trailer may have reduced visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
Charles Machine will notify owners, and dealers will inspect for side reflex reflectors, and add them as necessary, free of charge. The began on March 31, 2021. Owners may contact Charles Machine customer service at 1-800-654-6481.