The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·11V471000·Announced 2011-09-08

KME Fire Trucks Recalled for Exhaust Clamp Failure Risk

Kovatch Mobile Equipment is recalling certain 2010-2011 fire trucks due to a defective exhaust clamp that may fracture, creating a fire hazard.

What this means for you

Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).

The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect where a component failure can lead to fire or a road hazard, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp (KME) is recalling certain model year 2010 and 2011 Predator pumper fire trucks and 2011 5500 rescue fire trucks manufactured between April 2010 and March 2011. These vehicles are equipped with a Cummins ISX or ISL diesel engine. The recall involves the V-band clamp assembly used to connect the inlet and outlet cone sections to the diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC)/diesel particulate filter (DPF).

The defect involves a T-bolt within the clamp assembly that can fracture and fail when subjected to stress or load. If the T-bolt fractures, the clamp may loosen, causing the inlet or outlet sections attached to the DOC/DPF housing to disconnect. This disconnection allows hot exhaust gases to vent before exiting the tailpipe, creating a risk of combustion and fire. In some applications, if both clamps fail, the DOC/DPF housing may detach completely, creating a road hazard.

Owners should contact Cummins at 1-812-377-5000 or KME at 1-800-235-3928 for information. Repairs will be performed by authorized Cummins dealers free of charge. The safety recall began on October 10, 2011.

The recalled product

Product
KME, DODGE PREDATOR, 5500
Brand
KME
Manufacturer
KOVATCH MOBILE EQUIPMENT CORP
Category
Vehicle — Fire Trucks
Hazard
Affected units
5

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • PREDATOR
  • 5500

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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