Vehicle recall 98V086000 · April 24, 1998
Ditch Witch S5A, S5A1 and 5 more models
Vehicle description: trailers equipped with wheels that are stamped with "T16X16K DOT 0496 rudeveca." the wheel center to rim welds have failed, causing the rim to break loose…
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Vehicle description: trailers equipped with wheels that are stamped with "T16X16K DOT 0496 rudeveca." the wheel center to rim welds have failed, causing the rim to break loose from the wheel center.
- Consequence
- This condition could cause a driver to lose control of the trailer increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace these wheels.
- Notes
- Owner notification began June 17,1998.OWNERS who take their trailers to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact charles machine at 1-580-336-3591.ALSO contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-dash-2-dot (1-888-327-4236).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 98V086000
- Reported to NHTSA
- April 24, 1998
- Filed by
- CHARLES MACHINE WORKS INC
- Owner notification
- June 17, 1998
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 820
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Wheels › Rim
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Ditch Witch S5A (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Ditch Witch S5A1 (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Ditch Witch S5A2 (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Ditch Witch T12AE (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Ditch Witch T14AE (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Ditch Witch T14AH (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
- Ditch Witch T14AJT (1996-1997): 1997, 1996
Has your Ditch Witch been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Ditch Witch dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.