The Recall Desk
Our severity:SevereNHTSA·21V097000·Announced 2021-02-19

KME Predator Fire Trucks Recalled for Insufficient Rear Axle Welds

KME is recalling certain Predator fire trucks because rear axle welds may be insufficient, potentially causing loss of vehicle control and increasing crash risk.

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 (insufficient welds on the rear axle) that can cause loss of vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash, which aligns with the 'Severe' criteria for structural defects.

Plain-English summary

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2013-2020 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, Predator Panther Pumper, Predator SS Pumper, Predator SS Rescue, and Predator Emergency Tractor vehicles. The recall affects 88 units in total.

The defect involves welds that attach the suspension mounts and torque rod mounts to the rear axle, which may have been insufficiently welded. If these welds break, the mounts may separate from the axle, resulting in a loss of control of the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.

KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds and repair any defects found free of charge. The recall began on April 9, 2021. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
KME PREDATOR SS PUMPER, PREDATOR SS RESCUE, PREDATOR PUMPER, PREDATOR RESCUE
Brand
KME
Manufacturer
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Category
Vehicle — Fire Apparatus
Hazard
Affected units
88

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 (6)

  • PREDATOR SS PUMPER
  • PREDATOR SS RESCUE
  • PREDATOR PUMPER
  • PREDATOR RESCUE
  • PREDATOR PANTHER PUMPER
  • PREDATOR

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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