2016 Kme PREDATOR: complaints, problems and recalls

Reported: 2015-11-02 (November 2, 2015)

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2016 Predator and Severe Service vehicles manufactured May 8, 2015, to October 1, 2015, and equipped with certain drive axles manufactured by Marmon-Herrington. The affected axles are equipped with hex nuts on the flange yoke that may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence: If the hex nuts are not tightened to specification, the driveshaft may disconnect from the drive axle, resulting in a loss of propulsion and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the hex nuts, tightening them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on November 20, 2015. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.

Reported: 2016-03-03 (March 3, 2016)

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 Predator emergency vehicles manufactured from May 19, 2014, through August 15, 2015, equipped with K gearboxes manufactured by Hale Products, Inc. The affected gearboxes may shift out of gear from "road" to "neutral" while the vehicle is in transit.

Consequence: An unexpected shift in the transmission could result in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: KME will notify owners. The existing gearbox will be inspected and, where necessary, a replacement gearbox will be ordered and installed. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 8, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.

Reported: 2016-05-12 (May 12, 2016)

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2016 KME Predator and KME 2016-2107 Predator Severe Service and Panther emergency vehicles, equipped with pumps to provide pressurized water to aid in fighting fires. These pumps have 6" intake strainers that may have been improperly soldered during production and, as a result, the strainers may come apart during use, allowing parts of the strainer and debris to enter the pump, possibly damaging the pump.

Consequence: If the strainer and/or debris enters the pump, and the operator is forced to shut down the pump, reducing firefighting effectiveness, there could be an increased risk of injury.

Remedy: KME will notify owners to check the strainer for missing solder at the joints. Any strainers missing solder will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 14, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-570-669-5577 or Hale Products Customer Service Center at 1-800-533-3569.

Reported: 2016-08-01 (August 1, 2016)

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2016 Predator SS Tractor Drawn Aerial, Predator SS Aerial, Predator Pumper, Predator Aerial, M114 Tanker, 7600 Tanker, 7600 Pumper, 7400 Tanker, 4400 Pumper, and FDNY Pumper and 2016-2017 Predator SS Pumper and Predator Panther Pumper and 2015-2017 M2 Pumper vehicles. The affected vehicles may be equipped with certain C20 and C21 split-shaft transmissions from Waterous. This transmission sends power to the wheels of an emergency response vehicle or powers an add-on unit such as a water pump used for fighting fires. A component within the shift unit may be damaged and as a result, the operator may not be able to switch the power output.

Consequence: If the power output cannot be changed, once the fire truck arrives at the scene, it may not be able to pump water to aid in extinguishing the fire, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and repair the transmissions, free of charge. The recall began on October 11, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.

Reported: 2020-04-02 (April 2, 2020)

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Predator Custom, Predator Panther, Predator Severe Service, and 2016-2019 Commercial Cab/Chassis vehicles. An electrical short circuit can occur due to a build-up of corrosion between the positive battery jumper stud and the retaining ring for the stud.

Consequence: An electrical short circuit may drain the battery, preventing the emergency vehicle from being able to operate, thereby increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will clean the jumper studs, connection surfaces, and connections. Additionally, the connection surfaces and wire terminals will then be sealed with a silicone electrical sealant. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.