The defect
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.
The risk
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.
The 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.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Airport Refueler | 2016 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2016 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2016 |
Components: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY | STEERING
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 Airport Refueler | 2016 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2016 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2016 | 0 | 2 |
Other steering recalls in 2017
47 of the 810 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2017 concerned the steering; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 17V791000 8 Dec 2017 | JH Global Services, Inc. |
| 17V714000 14 Nov 2017 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 17V642000 12 Oct 2017 | HME, Inc. |
| 17V641000 11 Oct 2017 | Caterpillar Inc. |
| 17V631000 9 Oct 2017 | E-One Incorporated |
| 17V629000 6 Oct 2017 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 17V628000 6 Oct 2017 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 17V608000 29 Sept 2017 | Kia Motors America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2017