KME Fire Trucks Recalled for Potential Driveshaft Failure
Kovatch Mobile Equipment is recalling 56 KME fire trucks because replacement driveshafts may twist and fail, potentially immobilizing the vehicle.
What this means for you
Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (driveshaft failure) that can lead to vehicle immobilization and increased crash risk, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Predator SS Pumper vehicles and 2014-2016 FDNY Pumper vehicles. The recall covers 56 units manufactured between May 21, 2014, and July 27, 2015. The affected vehicles may have replacement drive shafts that can twist and fail during use.
A failed driveshaft may leave the fire truck immobilized in traffic, which increases the risk of a crash. Additionally, the truck may be unable to respond to an emergency, increasing the chances of injury for those at risk.
KME has notified owners, and dealers have replaced the drive shafts free of charge. The source states that all affected vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.
The recalled product
- Product
- KME PREDATOR SS PUMPER, FDNY PUMPER
- Brand
- KME
- Manufacturer
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Category
- Vehicle — Fire Apparatus
- Affected units
- 56
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 SS PUMPER
- FDNY PUMPER
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
Related recalls
Same brand · KME
- HighSpartan Fire Recalls Fire Trucks Due to Door Latch Defect
NHTSA · 2025-09-06
- SevereKME Predator Fire Trucks Recalled for Parking Brake Defect
NHTSA · 2024-05-23
- HighKME Recalls 2020 Fire Trucks Due to Electrical Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2023-12-06
- Severe
- SevereKME Fire Trucks Recalled for Parking Brake Defect
NHTSA · 2023-11-26
Same manufacturer · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
See all →- SevereKME Fire Trucks Recalled for Potential Steering Gear Fracture
NHTSA · 2022-08-09
- SevereKME Predator Fire Risk Recall Due to Fuel Tube Cracking
NHTSA · 2021-12-10
- SevereKME Recalls 2021-2022 Predator Emergency Vehicles Due to Axle Defect
NHTSA · 2021-11-19
- HighKME Custom Chassis Recalled for Potential Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk
NHTSA · 2021-05-11
Same hazard · driveshaft failure
See all →- Severe
- High2023 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 driveshaft replacement recall
NHTSA · 2024-02-01
- Severe2024 Subaru Impreza Front Driveshaft Assembly Defect Recall
NHTSA · 2023-11-09
- High2023 International HV and MV Driveshaft Failure Recall
NHTSA · 2023-08-17
- SevereNTN Driveshaft Recall: Improper Heat Treatment May Cause Failure
NHTSA · 2022-04-13