Front Axle Spindle may Fracture – 2007-2013 Kovatch Mobile Equipment

March 14, 2018 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V172000

Front Axle Spindle may Fracture

A wheel separation from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V172

Manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 12

 

Summary

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2007-2012 KME Predator Pumper, 2013 Predator SS Aerial, 2007 Predator Aerial, 2008-2011 Predator Rescue, and 2007 Predator Tanker vehicles, equipped with Timoney Independent Front Suspensions. Inconsistent machining may result in fatigue cracks developing over time in the front axle spindles, causing failure of the spindle and the possible separation of a front wheel from the vehicle.

 

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front axle spindle, free of charge. The recall began on May 2, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

 

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

 

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May 1, 2018

 

Name
Address
City, State Zip

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 18V172

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL 

This notice applies to your vehicle(s):

 

 

Dear KME Vehicle Owner:

This notice is sent to you in accordance with the requirements of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

 

Why is a recall being conducted? 

KME has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2007-2013 KME vehicles manufactured from June 2006 through December 2012 equipped with Timoney Gen 2 Strider Independent Front Suspensions.

KME has been informed by Timoney Technologies that, on certain Timoney Gen 2 Strider independent front suspension front axle spindles, inconsistent machining operations could cause stress risers in the spindle that could cause long-term durability failure.  Over time and under certain harsh duty cycles, a fatigue crack could develop in the spindle, causing failure of the spindle and possible separation of the wheel from the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash.

 

What are we doing about the problem?

KME will be shipping spindle rebuild kits, necessary tooling and installation instructions to KME Dealers for them to install the new components on the affected trucks. Vehicles subject to this recall are to be repaired by a KME certified Dealer or technician. KME will compensate the dealer or owner for installing the new components. The components and labor are provided free of charge. The installation should take approximately 4 hours.

 

What should you do? 

If you receive this notification, please contact your KME Dealer or KME Customer Service at (570) 669-5230 to schedule an appointment to have the installation of the spindle kits performed.

 

INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER IS AN OWNER RESPONSE CARD THAT MUST BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO KME IN ORDER TO BE REIMBURSED.  Please have your Truck VIN or GSO available.  After the repair has been completed, please fill in the appropriate information on the enclosed Owner Response Postcard, sign it, and return it to:

 

Mail: KME, One Industrial Complex, Nesquehoning, PA 18240
E-mail: bpolgrean@kmefire.com
Fax: (570) 645-9705

 

What if you no longer own this vehicle?

If you are not the current owner of the vehicle, please indicate this on the Owner Response Postcard and return the card to us.  

Federal law requires any lessor who receives a notification of a safety related defect or noncompliance pertaining to any leased motor vehicle shall send the notice to the lessee within 10 days. If you are no longer the owner of this vehicle, please provide us with any contact information so we may contact the new owner.

If you have already paid to have your vehicle repaired for this condition, you may be eligible for reimbursement of the charges you paid for the repair or replacement of components. To learn more about what you need to do to obtain reimbursement, contact our customer service department.

 

If after having attempted to take advantage of this recall you believe you have not been able to have your vehicle remedied without charge and within a reasonable amount of time, you may submit a complaint to the Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave., S.E., Washington, D.C., 20590; or call the toll-free Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); or go to https://www.safercar.gov.

 

We apologize for any inconvenience this safety recall may cause, but your safety is our first concern.

 

Sincerely,

 

KME, Inc

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April 23, 2018

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 18V172

TO: Affected KME Dealers

KME has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2007-2013 KME vehicles manufactured from June 2006 through December 2012 equipped with Timoney Gen 2 Strider Independent Front Suspensions.  Accordingly, a recall to address this issue is expected to start on or before May 4, 2018.

KME has been informed by Timoney Technologies that, on certain Timoney Gen 2 Strider independent front suspension front axle spindles, inconsistent machining operations could cause stress risers in the spindle that could cause long-term durability failure.  Over time and under certain harsh duty cycles, a fatigue crack could develop in the spindle, causing failure of the spindle and possible separation of the wheel from the vehicle, which increases the risk of a crash.

Owners will be notified by mail about the recall and will be instructed to contact their KME Dealer or KME to schedule an appointment to have the replacement of the spindles performed. There is no cost to owners for this recall.

KME is providing, free of charge, spindle rebuild kits, necessary tooling and installation instructions to KME Dealers for them to install the new components on the affected trucks.

Please be reminded that it is a violation of Federal law for you deliver a new motor vehicle or any new or used item of motor vehicle equipment covered by this notification until this defect has been remedied. Substantial civil penalties apply to violations of this law.

Your assistance with this recall is appreciated. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or KME Customer Service at (570) 669-5230.

Sincerely,

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13 Affected Products

Vehicles

KME	PREDATOR AERIAL	2007
KME	PREDATOR PUMPER	2007-2012
KME	PREDATOR RESCUE	2008-2011
KME	PREDATOR SS AERIAL	2013
KME	PREDATOR TANKER	2007

 

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7 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-18V172-6137.pdf 245.828KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-18V172-5312.pdf 216.721KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-18V172-5546.pdf 91.127KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-18V172-2404.pdf 133.892KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2018-3

RCLQRT-18V172-5374.PDF 214.599KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2018-4

RCLQRT-18V172-1307.PDF 211.31KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #4, 2019-1

RCLQRT-18V172-5057.PDF 211.412KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=18V172&docType=RCL

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Last update on 2025-04-16 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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