RoadVitals

2017 Kme Predator SS Aerial Recalls

Safety recall campaigns filed with NHTSA that 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
Recall campaignsA 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.
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Newest Jul 12, 2019
Carrying an NHTSA advisoryCampaigns where NHTSA told owners not to drive the vehicle, or to park it outside, until the repair is done.
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Open 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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1 investigation on file

Recall campaigns

4 campaigns cover this model year — what the defect is, what it could cause, and what the remedy is

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

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; EQUIPMENT

Aug 14, 2017
20 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: The ladder speed accelerating without warning can increase the risk of injury to the ladder user or those nearby.
The 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.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.View on NHTSA.gov

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

What a recall is

Safety recall
A 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.
Safety investigation
NHTSA 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.
Manufacturer communication
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.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect, and it is not a recall.

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

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources