Vehicles › KME › KME Predator
2013 KME Predator
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2013 KME Predator, covering power train, structure and suspension, and 5 consumer complaints received since 2016.
The component named most often is structure: 1,000 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 51 per 1,000 across all 2013 model-year vehicles and against 1,000 per 1,000 for the KME Predator line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 0.7 complaints per model year across the 18 KME Predator model years on this register.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2016 (5); the most recent in the file is dated 16 Mar 2016.
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. (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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.; components: power train:driveline:driveshaft; service brakes.
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp..
Defect, as filed: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp..
Defect, as filed: 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."
Consequence: 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.
Filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (manufacturer campaign 2014-SR01).
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 2013 KME Predator (black) against all 2013 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2013 | Predator line | All 2013 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 1,000 | 1,000 | 51 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2013 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 5 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 51 |
5 unique complaints, 5 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 Predator model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 122 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 186 |
| 2008 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 64 |
| 2009 | 2 | 0 | 759 |
| 2010 | 3 | 3 | 778 |
| 2011 | 4 | 1 | 885 |
| 2012 | 3 | 2 | 749 |
| 2013 | 6 | 5 | 874 |
| 2014 | 4 | 2 | 139 |
| 2015 | 2 | 0 | 26 |
| 2016 | 5 | 0 | 919 |
| 2017 | 4 | 0 | 886 |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | 785 |
| 2019 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 678 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 | 785 |
| 2021 | 3 | 0 | 140 |
| 2024 NHTSA | 1 | 0 | 1,261 |
| 2025 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 Predator model years · KME: 24 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2013 KME Predator have?
6 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 20V341000, was reported to NHTSA on 10 Jun 2020 and concerns power train:driveline:driveshaft. Across all model years the KME Predator line has 22 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2013 KME Predator?
No NHTSA investigation in the current file names this model year.
What component do owners of the 2013 KME Predator complain about most?
Structure: 5 of 5 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.