The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling one 2017 and certain 2012-2015 Emergency Response KME 55 FT Firestix Aerial Devices. The swing drives may not contain lubricating oil, which can cause the internal gears to become damaged and cause seizing.
The risk
If the swing drive's internal gears become damaged or start seizing, uncontrolled movement of the ladder can occur, increasing the risk of an injury.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the swing drives and rebuild them if they do not contain the lubricating oil, free of charge. The recall began February 25, 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by ODI
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Firestix | 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 |
Components: EQUIPMENT
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 Firestix | 2012 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Firestix | 2013 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Firestix | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Firestix | 2015 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Firestix | 2017 | 0 | 1 |
Other equipment recalls in 2020
134 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the equipment; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 20V809000 22 Dec 2020 | Escape Trailer |
| 20V804000 21 Dec 2020 | Thor Motor Coach |
| 20V799000 18 Dec 2020 | Forest River, Inc. |
| 20V796000 17 Dec 2020 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 20V789000 17 Dec 2020 | Navistar, Inc. |
| 20V780000 15 Dec 2020 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 20V777000 11 Dec 2020 | Altec Industries, Inc. |
| 20V767000 10 Dec 2020 | Forest River, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020