The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Predator SS Rescue, 2017 Predator Emergency Tractor, 2014-2020 Predator Panther Pumper, 2013-2017 Predator Pumper, 2014 Predator Rescue, and 2013-2020 Predator SS Pumper vehicles. The welds that attach the suspension mounts and torque rod mounts to the rear axle may have been insufficiently welded, possibly causing the welds to break.
The risk
Broken welds may cause the mounts to separate from the axle, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds, and repair any defects found, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2021. 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 | 2017 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2014 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 |
| KME Predator SS Rescue | 2017, 2018 |
Components: SUSPENSION:MULTIPLE AXLE:TORQUE ARM
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 | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2014 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2015 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2016 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2017 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2018 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2019 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Panther Pumper | 2020 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2013 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2014 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2015 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2016 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator Pumper | 2017 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Rescue | 2014 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2013 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2014 | 0 | 5 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2015 | 0 | 8 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2016 | 0 | 9 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2017 | 0 | 6 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2018 | 0 | 7 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2019 | 0 | 6 |
| KME Predator SS Pumper | 2020 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator SS Rescue | 2017 | 0 | 4 |
| KME Predator SS Rescue | 2018 | 0 | 3 |
Other suspension recalls in 2021
48 of the 988 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2021 concerned the suspension; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 21V00F000 22 Dec 2021 | General Motors, LLC |
| 21V990000 17 Dec 2021 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| 21V935000 1 Dec 2021 | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| 21V912000 21 Nov 2021 | Tesla, Inc. |
| 21V911000 19 Nov 2021 | Porsche Cars North America, Inc. |
| 21V886000 16 Nov 2021 | Jayco, Inc. |
| 21V870000 10 Nov 2021 | Ford Motor Company |
| 21V835000 25 Oct 2021 | Tesla, Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2021