The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Predator SS Aerial, 2013-2016 Predator SS Pumper, 2014 Predator Aerial, Predator Pumper, and Predator Pumper TDA trucks. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.
The risk
A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, clean and secure the ball joint free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-570-669-5577.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Predator Aerial | 2014 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2014 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2013, 2014 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 |
| KME Predator TDA | 2014 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
Model years in this recall
NHTSA complaints and the number of recall campaigns for each model year this recall covers.
| Model | Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| KME Predator Aerial | 2014 | 1 | 6 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2014 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2013 | 0 | 6 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2014 | 0 | 7 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2013 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2014 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2015 | 0 | 8 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2016 | 0 | 9 |
| KME Predator TDA | 2014 | 0 | 3 |
Other suspension recalls in 2017
42 of the 810 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2017 concerned the suspension; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 17V800000 13 Dec 2017 | East Manufacturing Corp. |
| 17V727000 17 Nov 2017 | BMW of North America, LLC |
| 17V703000 8 Nov 2017 | Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. |
| 17V693000 2 Nov 2017 | REV Recreation Group |
| 17V651000 16 Oct 2017 | Daimler Vans USA, LLC |
| 17V643000 12 Oct 2017 | Keystone RV Company |
| 17V637000 11 Oct 2017 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 17V577000 20 Sept 2017 | Hyundai Motor America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2017