2023 Kme Panther problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (2)
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2025-09-06 · campaign 25V584000 · 1,261 vehicles
Defect: Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Gladiator, Metrostar, FC-94, KME Panther, and 2024-2025 Predator vehicles. The actuator lever arm in the cab door latch may bind or become wedged, preventing the door from opening.
Risk: A door that cannot be opened may trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the door latches as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2025. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 25010.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2024-07-02 · campaign 24V507000 · 48 vehicles
Defect: Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Gladiator, 2024-2025 Metro Star and 2024 KME Panther vehicles equipped with certain independent front suspension assemblies. The lower control arm retention bolts could become brittle and break after being tightened.
Risk: A broken bolt head can become a projectile, increasing the risk of an injury.
Fix: Spartan Fire will replace the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2024. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 24010.
Service bulletins (3)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-27 · TSB26-150-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about certain vehicles that may experience leaks through the cab roof seams into the cab interior and instructions on how to repair the leak.
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-24 · TSB25-110-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about certain vehicles with cab tilt crossbar tubes that may crack adjacent to the cab pivot mounts and instructions on how to remove and weld in a replacement tube.
Suspension 2025-10-03 · TSB25-350-001 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this service bulletin is about certain vehicles equipped with hendrickson firemaax suspension u-bolts that may stretch from initial factory torque application and instructions to re-torque the u-bolts to manufacturers specifications.
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.