The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2011 and 2013-2020 Predator Severe Service, 2015 Predator Panther, 2011, 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 Predator, and 2014 KME commercial cab/chassis firetrucks equipped with optional Telma induction braking systems. The Telma axial retarder braking mechanism may separate from the vehicle while it is moving.
The risk
A retarder that separates from the vehicle may increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting hardware on axial retarders and replace any incorrect hardware, free of charge. This recall is expected to begin July 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-678-1910.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2014 |
| KME Predator | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2015 |
| KME Predator SS | 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
Components: SERVICE BRAKES | POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT
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 | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator | 2011 | 1 | 4 |
| KME Predator | 2013 | 5 | 6 |
| KME Predator | 2014 | 2 | 4 |
| KME Predator | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2015 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator SS | 2011 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator SS | 2013 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator SS | 2014 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator SS | 2015 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator SS | 2016 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator SS | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator SS | 2018 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator SS | 2019 | 0 | 1 |
| KME Predator SS | 2020 | 0 | 2 |
Other power train recalls in 2020
52 of the 782 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2020 concerned the power train; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 20V813000 28 Dec 2020 | Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA |
| 20V803000 21 Dec 2020 | Volvo Bus Corporation |
| 20V769000 10 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V770000 10 Dec 2020 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) |
| 20V755000 7 Dec 2020 | Nissan North America, Inc. |
| 20V742000 30 Nov 2020 | Daimler Trucks North America LLC |
| 20V731000 24 Nov 2020 | Bugatti |
| 20V692000 10 Nov 2020 | Ford Motor Company |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2020