RoadVitals

2012 Kme Predator SS Aerial

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
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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 Dec 23, 2016
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.
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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.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2012 Kme Predator SS Aerial. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 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.

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
16V930000

EQUIPMENT

Dec 23, 2016
82 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View on NHTSA.gov
16V926000

POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY

Dec 22, 2016
10 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View on NHTSA.gov
16V767000

EQUIPMENT

Oct 21, 2016
54 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the water way trolley separates from the ladder, it may fall, increasing the risk of injury to those nearby.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View 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

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kme Predator SS Aerial by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2020010—
2019031—
2018051—
2017041—
2016061—
2015081—
2014071—
2013061—
2012Viewing031—
2011010—
2010010—
2009010—

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.