The defect
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2021-2022 KME Predator, Panther, and Severe Service fire trucks equipped with Sheppard Steering Gears. The steering gears may have been assembled incorrectly, which can cause the gears to fracture.
The risk
A fractured steering gear can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the serial numbers and replace the steering gears, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 3, 2022. Owners may contact KME's customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
NHTSA's own wording · initiated by MFR
Vehicles covered
| Model | Model years |
|---|---|
| KME Predator | 2021 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2021, 2022 |
| KME Predator SS | 2021, 2022 |
| KME Redundant Predator | 2022 |
Components: STEERING
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 | 2021 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2021 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator Panther | 2022 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator SS | 2021 | 0 | 2 |
| KME Predator SS | 2022 | 0 | 3 |
| KME Redundant Predator | 2022 | 0 | 4 |
Other steering recalls in 2022
70 of the 933 recall campaigns reported to NHTSA in 2022 concerned the steering; Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. filed 48 campaigns in all.
| 22V943000 20 Dec 2022 | New Flyer of America, Inc. |
| 22V936000 16 Dec 2022 | Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC |
| 22V916000 12 Dec 2022 | East Manufacturing Corp. |
| 22V906000 8 Dec 2022 | Kia America, Inc. |
| 22V892000 2 Dec 2022 | Pierce Manufacturing |
| 22V890000 2 Dec 2022 | Newmar Corporation |
| 22V879000 29 Nov 2022 | Alexis Fire Equipment Company |
| 22V871000 23 Nov 2022 | Marion Body Works Inc. |
NHTSA recalls (public domain) · all recalls of 2022