When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 0 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Official recalls
8Jan 29, 2020
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Predator SS Pumper, 2015 Predator SS Aerial, and 2015-2018 Predator SS TDA emergency response vehicles. The battery packs for the Pelican 9410 and 9415 flashlights may explode while charging.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A battery pack explosion may increase the risk of an injury.
Remedy: KME will notify the affected owners and will arrange for the return and repair of the flashlight batteries. The recall March 19, 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Jun 12, 2018
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2015-2017 KME Predator SS Aerial, and 2015-2018 KME Predator Aerial emergency vehicles equipped with an aerial platform and optional modular platform tether control. If the tether control gets unplugged while it is operating the aerial, the last command will be continued to be carried out.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the aerial continues moving when the tether is unplugged, it can increase the risk of an injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will install updated software to stop the aerial's movement, free of charge. The recall began July 13, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Aug 14, 2017
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Predator SS Aerial, and Predator Aerial vehicles. The software that controls the ladder rotation circuit may allow the ladder to rotate even after the rotation joystick is released.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Unintended rotation of the ladder can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ladder rotation software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Predator SS Aerial, and Predator Aerial vehicles. The software that controls the ladder rotation circuit may allow the ladder to rotate even after the rotation joystick is released.
Consequence: Unintended rotation of the ladder can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ladder rotation software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Equipment
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Predator SS Aerial, and Predator Aerial vehicles. The software that controls the ladder rotation circuit may allow the ladder to rotate even after the rotation joystick is released.
Consequence: Unintended rotation of the ladder can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ladder rotation software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Aug 14, 2017
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Predator Aerial, and 2014-2017 Predator SS Aerial vehicles. A software error may cause the aerial ladder tip control speed to momentarily switch from 20 percent speed to 100 percent overall speed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The ladder speed accelerating without warning can increase the risk of injury to the ladder user or those nearby.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will update the ladder speed software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System:software
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Predator Aerial, and 2014-2017 Predator SS Aerial vehicles. A software error may cause the aerial ladder tip control speed to momentarily switch from 20 percent speed to 100 percent overall speed.
Consequence: The ladder speed accelerating without warning can increase the risk of injury to the ladder user or those nearby.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will update the ladder speed software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Equipment
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Predator Aerial, and 2014-2017 Predator SS Aerial vehicles. A software error may cause the aerial ladder tip control speed to momentarily switch from 20 percent speed to 100 percent overall speed.
Consequence: The ladder speed accelerating without warning can increase the risk of injury to the ladder user or those nearby.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will update the ladder speed software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Dec 23, 2016
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017 Predator Aerial and Predator Panther Aerial, 2014 Predator TDA, 2014-2017 Predator SS TDA, and 2012-2017 Predator SS Aerial fire trucks. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the ladder position sensor allowing the ladder to make contact with the vehicle or be placed off of the short jack side of the truck.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the ladder contacts the truck or is placed off of the short jack side of the truck there may be a increased risk of injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ladder position sensor mount and bearing system, replacing them as needed, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Dec 22, 2016
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2005-2016 Predator SS Aerial vehicles manufactured September 18, 2004, June 20, 2008, to May 23, 2016, and 2009-2011 Predator Aerial vehicles manufactured March 6, 2009, to January 14, 2011. The affected vehicles have tandem rear axles with S-cam brakes that may engage without the brake pedal being pressed.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the brakes engage, a rear wheel may lock up increasing the risk of a crash. Additionally, the excessive heat caused may increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the S-cam bracket hardware, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on February 1, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
Oct 21, 2016
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Predator Panther Aerial, 2011-2015 Predator Aerial, 2012-2015 Predator SS Aerial, 2014 Predator TDA, and 2014-2015 Predator SS TDA emergency vehicles equipped with aerial water way trollies. The aerial device water way trolley could separate from the ladder.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the water way trolley separates from the ladder, it may fall, increasing the risk of injury to those nearby.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will install re-enforcement inserts to the side clamps of the water way trolley, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Aug 8, 2016
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2013 Predator Panther Rescue, 2013-2014 Predator Aerial, 2013-2016 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue and Predator SS Aerial, 2014 7600 Tanker and Predator Tractor Drawn Aerial, 2014-2017 Predator Panther Pumper and Predator SS Pumper and 2017 Predator SS Rescue vehicles, equipped with Class 1 Ultraview Touchscreens by Hale Products. These touchscreens may experience false switch activations that can happen without the operator's knowledge, causing accessories to turn on or off.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The unintended turning on or off of accessories such as emergency beacons or automatic snow chains can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the units, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926 or Hale Products Customer Service Center @ 1-800-533-3569 or halecustomerservice@idexcorp.com.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE19016 · Aerial Turntable Failures
Opened Nov 12, 2019 · Closed Mar 5, 2020
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:mechanical
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this PE on November 12th, 2019 after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging the aerial turntable on their 2013 KME fire trucks were supplied from the manufacturer without lubrication. When inspected, it was found that some of the turntable internal gears had seized and other gearbox internals were severely corroded and pitted due to lack of lubrication.ODI interviewed the two complainants and received documentation showing failed gearing and drive-planetaries due to a lack of lubrication. In addition, ODI visited the manufacturer's assembly plant to learn about the drive system and how it is received from the supplier Kraft Hydraulics. ODI learned the electric motor and apparatus are shipped dry. The system is then painted by KME prior to assembly on the fire truck when lubrication is then supposed to occur. KME has acknowledged the missed production step of filling the turntables with lubricating oil after installation on the vehicle. The turntable gearbox is supposed to contain lubricating oil to reduce friction and protect internal gears from corrosion. If the turntable was not filled with lubricating oil, it may seize or freely traverse without control, possibly striking objects and potentially endangering fire fighter safety.As part of the safety recall, KME will inspect and verify if the turntables contain lubricating oil. If not, they will be sent to the manufacturer for rebuild. If the owner has already incurred costs to remedy this issue, they will be directed in the notification letter to contact KME for reimbursement.This Preliminary Evaluation has been closed with a voluntary safety recall released by the manufacturer (20V-006).The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at:http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAIDusing the following complaint identification numbers: 1089324 and 11206194
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