Steering: Linkages: Tie rod assembly08/28/201717V527000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2016 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, and Airport Refueler vehicles, equipped with certain Dana Spicer steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
Consequence
If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening as necessary. If the nuts do not become properly secured and aligned after being adequately torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on October 5, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Steering08/28/201717V527000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2016 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, and Airport Refueler vehicles, equipped with certain Dana Spicer steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
Consequence
If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening as necessary. If the nuts do not become properly secured and aligned after being adequately torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on October 5, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Electrical system08/08/201616V586000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2013 Predator Panther Rescue, 2013-2014 Predator Aerial, 2013-2016 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue and Predator SS Aerial, 2014 7600 Tanker and Predator Tractor Drawn Aerial, 2014-2017 Predator Panther Pumper and Predator SS Pumper and 2017 Predator SS Rescue vehicles, equipped with Class 1 Ultraview Touchscreens by Hale Products. These touchscreens may experience false switch activations that can happen without the operator's knowledge, causing accessories to turn on or off.
Consequence
The unintended turning on or off of accessories such as emergency beacons or automatic snow chains can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the units, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926 or Hale Products Customer Service Center @ 1-800-533-3569 or halecustomerservice@idexcorp.com.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Foundation components: Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings04/13/201818V237000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2012-2016 KME Predator SS Pumper and Predator Pumper, and 2015-2016 Predator Aerial vehicles equipped with Cummins ISX12 engines. The braided cab lift hydraulic hoses, wire braided air lines and/or wire braided fuel cooler lines may be improperly routed and secured contacting the starter power stud, causing a leak and a possible short-circuit.
Consequence
A fluid leak combined with arcing between the power stud and the exposed wire can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the area around the starter and make sure that the hoses have sufficient clearance, replacing any damaged cab lift hydraulic hoses, and adding hose chafe guards, free of charge. The recall began on May 22, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Latches/locks/linkages04/02/201919V267000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017 Commercial Rescue, 2014-2019 Predator Panther Pumper, Commercial Pumper and Predator SS Pumper, 2012-2019 Predator Pumper, 2015-2019 Commercial Wildland, 2018 Predator Rescue and 2016 Predator SS Wildland vehicles. The lock for the gas springs that support the sliding, lift-up cover may be unintentionally disabled, preventing the lock from engaging.
Consequence
If the lock is not engaged, the sliding, lift-up cover may fall unexpectedly, increasing the risk of injury to personnel working under the cover.
Remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the gas springs on the sliding, lift-up cover with new gas springs with an alternative locking mechanism or new gas springs without a locking mechanism and a separate stay arm, free of charge. The recall began May 23, 2019. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Suspension: Multiple axle: Torque arm02/19/202121V097000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Predator SS Rescue, 2017 Predator Emergency Tractor, 2014-2020 Predator Panther Pumper, 2013-2017 Predator Pumper, 2014 Predator Rescue, and 2013-2020 Predator SS Pumper vehicles. The welds that attach the suspension mounts and torque rod mounts to the rear axle may have been insufficiently welded, possibly causing the welds to break.
Consequence
Broken welds may cause the mounts to separate from the axle, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds, and repair any defects found, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2021. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.