2013 KME Predator problems, complaints & recalls

2013 KME Predator recalls (6)

• Recall 20V341000Jun 10, 2020107 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DRIVESHAFT · SERVICE BRAKES

  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.

  Risk: A retarder that separates from the vehicle may increase the risk of a crash.

  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.

• Recall 16V263000May 2, 201614 vehicles
  STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

  Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Predator Severe-Service vehicles manufactured September 2, 2011, to September 20, 2013. The cab door latch retaining hardware may loosen, preventing the cab door from closing properly and allowing the cab door to open unexpectedly while moving.

  Risk: If the door opens while the vehicle is in motion, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.

  Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cab door latch hardware, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.

• Recall 15V632000Oct 8, 20158 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:FRONT

  Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Predator emergency vehicles manufactured January 23, 2013, to January 28, 2015. The affected vehicles have front independent suspension assemblies that may have loose ball joints which could separate causing a loss of steering control.

  Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: KME will notify owners, and dealers will correct the ball joint installation, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2015. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.

• Recall 14V455000Jul 25, 201410 vehicles
  SEAT BELTS

  Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Predator and 2014 Panther fire fighting vehicles manufactured October 2013 to March 2014, and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

  Risk: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

  Remedy: Kovatch will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-800-235-3926. Kovatch's number for this campaign is 2014-SR01.

• Recall 13V187000May 9, 2013695 vehicles
  STEERING

  Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Predator, Predator SS, Panther; 2010-2011 ARFF; and model year 2010-2013 Panther II emergency vehicles. The grease fitting in the steering column shaft may get caught in the column cover. The grease fitting could tear the cover which will impact the driver's ability to steer the vehicle.

  Risk: A sudden loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: Kovatch will notify owners and dealers will remove the grease fitting, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-570-669-5173. Kovatch's recall campaign number is 2013-E01.

• Recall 13V137000Apr 11, 201340 vehicles
  PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:AIR

  Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Predator, Predator SS, Panther, and model year 2011 Panther II emergency vehicles manufactured February 1, 2011, through February 28, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with Meritor axle assemblies that were built with disc brakes using MGM J24 series air brake chambers. In the affected axles, the brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.

  Risk: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

  Remedy: Kovatch will notify owners and will replace the actuators as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in May 2013. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-570-669-5132.

Recent 2013 KME Predator complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

No narrative complaints on file.

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology