The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·13V187000·Announced 2013-05-09

KME Emergency Vehicles Recalled for Steering Column Grease Fitting Defect

Kovatch is recalling specific KME emergency vehicles because a grease fitting in the steering column may tear the cover, potentially causing a loss of steering control.

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 in the steering system that may result in a sudden loss of steering control, which the source states increases the risk of a crash.

Plain-English summary

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 KME Predator, Predator SS, and Panther emergency vehicles, as well as 2010-2011 ARFF and 2010-2013 Panther II models. The recall involves a total of 695 vehicles.

The defect involves the grease fitting in the steering column shaft, which may get caught in the column cover. This can tear the cover, impacting the driver's ability to steer the vehicle. A sudden loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Kovatch will notify owners, and dealers will remove the grease fitting free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-570-669-5173 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
KME PREDATOR SS, ARFF, PREDATOR, PANTHER
Brand
KME
Manufacturer
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Category
Vehicle — Emergency Vehicles
Hazard
Affected units
695

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 (5)

  • PREDATOR SS
  • ARFF
  • PREDATOR
  • PANTHER
  • PANTHER II

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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