RoadVitals

2018 Kme Predator Aerial

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 13, 2019
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.
3
Latest Jul 12, 2019
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.
0
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 2018 Kme Predator Aerial, most frequently naming the body & structure category. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 2 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Body & structure1100.0%

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

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
19V528000

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Jul 12, 2019
529 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View on NHTSA.gov
18V622000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

Sep 13, 2018
111 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View on NHTSA.gov
18V393000

EQUIPMENT

Jun 12, 2018
12 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the aerial continues moving when the tether is unplugged, it can increase the risk of an injury.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 2019

THE CREW CAB INTERIOR DOOR RELEASE MALFUNCTIONS. THIS CAUSES NOT TO BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOORS FROM THE INSIDE TRAPPING THEM. THE CAUSE IS DUE TO THE PLASTIC CLIPS THAT ATTACHED THE INTERIOR DOOR RELEASE HANDLE CONNECTING ROD TO THE LATCH RELEASE MECHANISM FAILING. THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES WITHIN A 7 MONTH PERIOD.

NHTSA ID
11219799
Incident
Jun 11, 2019
Mileage
3,120 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

ONRD-121316

SERVICE BRAKES

Brake assembly fasteners.

ONRD-00929216

EQUIPMENT

Trolley reinforcement.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kme Predator Aerial by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2019020—
2018Viewing130—
2017030—
2016050—
2015050—
2014160—
2013150—
2012040—
2011030—
2010010—
2009010—
2007010—
2005010—

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.