The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Commercial Pumper, Commercial Rescue, Commercial Tanker, Commercial Wildland, 2018-2019 Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, Predator SS Pumper, Predator Tanker, 2018 Predator Panther Aerial, Predator Panther Tanker, Predator SS Aerial, Predator SS TDA, and Predator TDA vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began November 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 Commercial Pumper | 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| KME Commercial Rescue | 2017, 2018 |
| KME Commercial Tanker | 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| KME Commercial Wildland | 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator Aerial | 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator Panther Aerial | 2018 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator Panther Tanker | 2018 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2018 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator SS TDA | 2018 |
| KME Predator Tanker | 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator TDA | 2018 |
Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
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 Commercial Pumper | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Commercial Pumper | 2018 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Commercial Pumper | 2019 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Commercial Rescue | 2017 | 1 | 3 |
| KME Commercial Rescue | 2018 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Commercial Tanker | 2017 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Commercial Tanker | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Commercial Tanker | 2019 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Commercial Wildland | 2017 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Commercial Wildland | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Commercial Wildland | 2019 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Aerial | 2018 | 1 | 3 |
| KME Predator Aerial | 2019 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Panther Aerial | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2018 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2019 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Panther Tanker | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2019 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2019 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator SS Aerial | 2018 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2018 | 0 | 7 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2019 | 0 | 6 |
| KME Predator SS TDA | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator TDA | 2018 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Tanker | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Tanker | 2019 | 0 | 2 |
Other exterior lighting recalls in 2018
56 of the 912 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2018 concerned the exterior lighting; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 18V942000 31 Dec 2018 | Arcimoto Inc |
| 18V943000 31 Dec 2018 | Arcimoto Inc |
| 18V941000 31 Dec 2018 | Arcimoto Inc |
| 18V920000 20 Dec 2018 | Custom Truck And Body Works |
| 18V919000 20 Dec 2018 | Toyne Inc. |
| 18V897000 19 Dec 2018 | Seagrave Fire Apparatus, LLC |
| 18V911000 19 Dec 2018 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
| 18V906000 19 Dec 2018 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2018