The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2016-2020 Predator Custom, Predator Panther, Predator Severe Service, and 2016-2019 Commercial Cab/Chassis vehicles. An electrical short circuit can occur due to a build-up of corrosion between the positive battery jumper stud and the retaining ring for the stud.
The risk
An electrical short circuit may drain the battery, preventing the emergency vehicle from being able to operate, thereby increasing the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will clean the jumper studs, connection surfaces, and connections. Additionally, the connection surfaces and wire terminals will then be sealed with a silicone electrical sealant. All services will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 18, 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 |
| KME Predator | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
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 Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2016 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2017 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2018 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator | 2016 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator | 2020 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2016 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2017 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2018 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2020 | 0 | 1 |
Other electrical system recalls in 2020
105 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the electrical system; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 20V812000 28 Dec 2020 | Marion Body Works Inc. |
| 20V805000 21 Dec 2020 | SVI Trucks |
| 20V801000 18 Dec 2020 | Keystone RV Company |
| 20V790000 17 Dec 2020 | General Motors, LLC |
| 20V798000 17 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V779000 15 Dec 2020 | Rosenbauer America |
| 20V783000 15 Dec 2020 | Halcore Group, Inc. |
| 20V781000 15 Dec 2020 | Ducati North America |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020