RoadVitals

2014 Kme Aerialcat

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Jun 17, 2015
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2014 Kme Aerialcat, most frequently naming the steering and suspension categories. 1 NHTSA investigation names it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering150.0%
  • Suspension150.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE19016ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

Aerial Turntable Failures

Opened Nov 12, 2019
Closed Mar 5, 2020

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

EQUIPMENT:MECHANICALLed to recall 20V006000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 17, 2015

KME/KOVATCH AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS BUILT WITH A TAG AXLE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM POSE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC. THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED WITH SEVERAL FLAWS, OF WHICH KME KNOWS ABOUT. THE REAR TAG AXLE, AT TIMES DOES NOT LOCK OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. ALSO, THE AIRBAG SUSPENSION IS NOT DESIGNED/INSTALLED PROPERLY, ALLOWING THE AIRBAGS TO BECOME DISTORTED AND RIDE ON THE SIDES OF THE BAG. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PHOTOS OF 2 DIFFERENT TRUCKS.

NHTSA ID
10725679
Incident
Mar 4, 2015
Mileage
1,500 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kme Aerialcat by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2014Viewing101—
2011011—
2010011—
2009011—
2008011—
2007011—
2006011—
2005011—
2004011—
2003011—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.