By year
Owner complaints about KME vehicles peaked at 13 in 2016
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 2010 to 2026. 2026 runs through October.
Source: NHTSA ODI complaints and recalls files. Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Make
KME
The complete NHTSA record for KME vehicles: owner complaints, recall campaigns, defect investigations and manufacturer communications, for every model and model year on file.
Most KME recalls are filed by Kovatch Mobile Equipment, part of Kme.
Owner complaints in the last five years022 on file in all, across 46 models
Recall campaigns6415 in five years
Severity index0.0Crash, fire, injury or death per 100 complaints
Investigations220 service bulletins
Components
Structure draws the most owner complaints about KME vehicles, 61% of them
Share of all owner complaints on file, by component.
Source: NHTSA ODI.
Models
The Predator has the most complaints of any KME model
Every KME model with complaints or recalls on file, by complaints. Counts are not rates: NHTSA publishes no sales volumes.
| Model | Model years | Complaints | Severity index | Recalls | Investigations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Predator | 2006 to 2025 | 13 | 0.0 | 48 | 0 |
| Predator Aerial | 2005 to 2019 | 3 | 0.0 | 40 | 0 |
| Renegade Fire Engine | 2006 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Panther | 2006 to 2026 | 1 | 0.0 | 21 | 0 |
| Aerialcat | 2003 to 2014 | 1 | 0.0 | 9 | 10 |
| Commercial Rescue | 2016 to 2018 | 1 | 0.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Ariel CAT | 2008 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Predator SS Pumper | 2012 to 2021 | 0 | None | 50 | 0 |
| Predator SS Aerial | 2009 to 2020 | 0 | None | 46 | 8 |
| Predator Pumper | 2007 to 2020 | 0 | None | 39 | 0 |
| Predator SS | 2009 to 2022 | 0 | None | 34 | 0 |
| Predator Panther Pumper | 2012 to 2020 | 0 | None | 30 | 0 |
| TDA | 2001 to 2020 | 0 | None | 20 | 0 |
| Commercial Pumper | 2014 to 2020 | 0 | None | 17 | 0 |
| Predator Panther Aerial | 2011 to 2019 | 0 | None | 17 | 0 |
| Predator Rescue | 2008 to 2019 | 0 | None | 17 | 0 |
| Predator Panther | 2010 to 2022 | 0 | None | 16 | 0 |
| Predator SS TDA | 2014 to 2020 | 0 | None | 14 | 0 |
| Redundant Panther | 2022 to 2024 | 0 | None | 14 | 0 |
| Commercial Wildland | 2015 to 2019 | 0 | None | 10 | 0 |
| Custom Chassis | 2012 to 2021 | 0 | None | 10 | 0 |
| Predator SS Rescue | 2017 to 2020 | 0 | None | 10 | 0 |
| Commercial Tanker | 2015 to 2019 | 0 | None | 9 | 0 |
| Predator TDA | 2014 to 2018 | 0 | None | 8 | 0 |
| Redundant Predator | 2022 to 2024 | 0 | None | 8 | 0 |
| Severe Service | 2006 to 2023 | 0 | None | 8 | 0 |
| Predator Panther Tanker | 2012 to 2020 | 0 | None | 7 | 0 |
| Predator Tanker | 2007 to 2019 | 0 | None | 7 | 0 |
| Commercialcab/ Chassis | 2014 to 2019 | 0 | None | 5 | 0 |
| Firestix | 2012 to 2017 | 0 | None | 5 | 0 |
| Panther II | 2010 to 2013 | 0 | None | 5 | 0 |
| Predator Panther Rescue | 2013 to 2019 | 0 | None | 4 | 0 |
| Aerial Fire Apparatus | 2020 to 2022 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| Commercial Skid | 2015 to 2018 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| Fdny Pumper | 2014 to 2016 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| Tilt CAB | 1996 to 1998 | 0 | None | 3 | 0 |
| Arff | 2010 to 2011 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| Predator SS Tanker | 2015 to 2017 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| Predator XL | 2010 to 2011 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| Wildland | 2015 to 2016 | 0 | None | 2 | 0 |
| 7600 Tanker | 2014 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Airport Refueler | 2016 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Predator SS Chassis | 2017 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Predator SS Wildland | 2016 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Predator Tractor Aerial | 2014 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
| Pumper Fire Apparatus | 2021 to 2023 | 0 | None | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA ODI. Recall counts add campaigns across model years, so a campaign covering three years counts three times.
Latest recalls
Recent campaigns listing a KME product
- 25V-584 Sep 6, 2025
Actuator lever arm in the cab door latch may bind or become wedged, preventing the door from opening
Latches and locks · 1,261 vehicles - 24V-799 Oct 24, 2024
Missing mechanical stop may allow the cab tilt cylinder to be overextended
Equipment · 50 vehicles - 24V-507 Jul 2, 2024
Lower control arm retention bolts could become brittle and break after being tightened
Suspension · 48 vehicles - 24V-363 May 23, 2024
Incorrect relay valve may have been installed, which can prevent the park brake from engaging and allow the vehicle to roll away
Brakes · 7 vehicles - 24V-181 Mar 7, 2024
In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the firmware in the node may fail to shut off the output pin, resulting in overloaded…
Electrical system · 42 vehicles - 23V-818 Dec 6, 2023
In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the firmware in the vehicle multiplex system may fail to shut off the output pin, resulting in…
Electrical system · 22 vehicles - 23V-808 Dec 1, 2023
In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the firmware in the vehicle multiplex system may fail to shut off the output pin, resulting in…
Electrical system · 69 vehicles - 23V-798 Nov 26, 2023
Defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally
Brakes · 44 vehicles - 23V-631 Sep 12, 2023
Defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally
Brakes · 660 vehicles - 23V-156 Mar 23, 2023
After the vehicle is reversed, the transmission control module (TCM) may fail to achieve the 4th gear lockup needed to initiate the water pump
Powertrain · 166 vehicles
Source: NHTSA ODI recalls file.