2012 Kme Predator problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (2)
Safety recalls (3)
Structure:body:door 2016-05-02 · campaign 16V263000 · 14 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Steering 2013-05-09 · campaign 13V187000 · 695 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Parking Brake:conventional:air 2013-04-11 · campaign 13V137000 · 40 vehicles
Defect: 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 draggi
Risk: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
2016-03-16 · Structure:body · 21,576 mi“cabin door latches come open without warning. the middle thru bolt for the latch loosens, causing excessive wear and loosening of the latch mechanism, and also causing the latch to fail to secure the door.…”
2016-03-15 · Structure:body · 18,000 mi“cabin door opens without warning, sometimes while truck is in motion. thru bolt loosens causing the latch to open.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.