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2012 KME Panther
The 2012 KME Panther appears in 2 NHTSA recall campaigns (steering and parking brake) and in 1 consumer complaint filed with the agency.
The component named most often is unknown or other: 1,000 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 60.4 per 1,000 across all 2012 model-year vehicles and against 1,000 per 1,000 for the KME Panther line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 0.1 complaints per model year across the 12 KME Panther model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2019 (1); the most recent in the file is dated 8 May 2019.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (manufacturer campaign 2013-E01).
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp..
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2012 KME Panther (black) against all 2012 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2012 | Panther line | All 2012 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 1,000 | 1,000 | 60.4 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2012 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 60.4 |
1 unique complaints, 1 component mentions; 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
No NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation action in the current file names this model year.
Other KME Panther model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 14 |
| 2009 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 695 |
| 2010 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 695 |
| 2011 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 695 |
| 2012 | 2 | 1 | 735 |
| 2013 | 3 | 0 | 745 |
| 2014 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 10 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 275 |
| 2023 | 2 | 0 | 1,309 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | 1,309 |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 1,359 |
| 2026 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 1,261 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All KME Panther model years · KME: 24 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2012 KME Panther have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 13V187000, was reported to NHTSA on 9 May 2013 and concerns steering. Across all model years the KME Panther line has 10 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2012 KME Panther?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2012 KME Panther complain about most?
Unknown or Other: 1 of 1 component mentions (1,000 per 1,000). Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.