The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2007-2012 KME Predator Pumper, 2013 Predator SS Aerial, 2007 Predator Aerial, 2008-2011 Predator Rescue, and 2007 Predator Tanker vehicles, equipped with Timoney Independent Front Suspensions. Inconsistent machining may result in fatigue cracks developing over time in the front axle spindles, causing failure of the spindle and the possible separation of a front wheel from the vehicle.
The risk
A wheel separation from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle spindle, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Predator Aerial | 2007 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2013 |
| KME Predator Tanker | 2007 |
Components: SUSPENSION:FRONT
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 | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2012 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2008 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2009 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2010 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2011 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2013 | 0 | 6 |
| KME Predator Tanker | 2007 | 0 | 1 |
Other suspension recalls in 2018
50 of the 912 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2018 concerned the suspension; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 18V945000 31 Dec 2018 | Arcimoto Inc |
| 18V904000 19 Dec 2018 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| 18V914000 19 Dec 2018 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 18V893000 17 Dec 2018 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| 18V876000 10 Dec 2018 | Forest River, Inc. |
| 18V857000 3 Dec 2018 | Gulf Stream Coach, Inc. |
| 18V851000 30 Nov 2018 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 18V853000 30 Nov 2018 | Keystone RV Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2018