KME Fire Trucks Recalled for Potential Steering Gear Fracture
KME is recalling 2021-2022 Predator and Panther fire trucks because incorrectly assembled steering gears may fracture, causing 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 (steering gear fracture) that can cause loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash, meeting the criteria for a Severe rating.
Plain-English summary
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2021-2022 KME Predator, Panther, and Severe Service fire trucks equipped with Sheppard Steering Gears. The recall involves 11 vehicles.
The steering gears may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gears to fracture. A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will inspect the serial numbers and replace the steering gears, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 3, 2022. Owners may contact KME's 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, PREDATOR PANTHER, PREDATOR, redundant PREDATOR
- Brand
- KME
- Manufacturer
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Category
- Vehicle — Fire Trucks
- Affected units
- 11
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 (4)
- PREDATOR SS
- PREDATOR PANTHER
- PREDATOR
- redundant PREDATOR
Distribution
Distributed nationwide across the United States.
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