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
5Aug 18, 2020
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Commercial Pumper and Predator SS Rescue, 2018 Predator Panther Pumper and Commercial Skid, 2018-2020 Predator SS Aerial, 2020 Predator Panther Tanker, 2016 Predator Panther Aerial and Commercial Rescue, 2015-2019 Commercial Tanker, 2018-2019 Commercial Wildland, 2017 Predator SS Chassis and 2018-2021 Predator SS Pumper vehicles equipped with certain Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights. The lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed which may adversely affect the vision of drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: The excessive brightness may affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will instruct vehicle owners to contact Code 3 to obtain a filter kit (Part No. CZ0199), free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Jul 12, 2019
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Predator Rescue, SS Rescue, SS Aerial, Aerial, SS TDA and Tanker and Predator Panther Rescue and Aerial, 2016-2020 Predator Panther Pumper and Predator SS Pumper, 2017-2020 Predator Panther Tanker and Predator Pumper, 2017 Predator SS Tanker and 2017-2018 Predator TDA. In the event of a hydraulic system failure while raising or lowering the cab, the hydraulic velocity fuses may not activate and lock the cab in place to prevent the cab from quickly closing.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the velocity fuses do not activate and stop the cab from lowering, the cab may hit occupants working underneath, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the velocity fuses for each cab lift cylinder, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2019. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Sep 13, 2018
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Commercial Pumper, Commercial Rescue, Commercial Tanker, Commercial Wildland, 2018-2019 Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, Predator SS Pumper, Predator Tanker, 2018 Predator Panther Aerial, Predator Panther Tanker, Predator SS Aerial, Predator SS TDA, and Predator TDA vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Jun 26, 2018
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017 KME Predator TDA, 2016-2018 KME Predator SS TDA, and 2018 KME Predator SS Aerial emergency vehicles equipped with an aerial ladder and optional tip mounted lifting device. The lifting devices do not meet the specified load rating or safety factor.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Using the device to lift the rated load may cause the device to deform, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: KME has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tip lifting device, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Nov 22, 2017
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2015 Predator SS Tanker and Commercial Pumper built on Freightliner chassis, 2015-2018 Predator SS Pumper and Commercial Pumper built on Navistar chassis, 2016 Predator Panther Aerial and Predator Aerial, 2015-2017 Predator Panther Pumper and 2018 Predator SS Aerial vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: KME will notify owners, and KME dealers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on January 8, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926 or Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569.
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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