Telma Braking Mechanism May Separate from Vehicle – 2011 & 2013-2020 KME Predator Severe Service, 2015 Predator Panther, 2011, 2013-2014 & 2017-2018 Predator, & 2014 KME Commercial Cab/Chassis Firetrucks

June 10, 2020 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V341000

Telma Braking Mechanism May Separate from Vehicle

A retarder that separates from the vehicle may increase the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V341

Manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.

Components POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES

Potential Number of Units Affected 107

 

Summary

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

---

ONRD – 00007072020- 27

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Title:	Telma Mounting Hardware Inspection
Date:	July 7, 2020
Vehicles:	KME Custom Chassis’ that have a Telma retarder.
Issue:	Incorrect Mounting Hardware may have been used.
Corrective Action:	Inspect Telma retarder mounting bracket’s attaching hardware.  If attaching  hardware is showing signs of wear, is  incorrect or not torqued to 65 ft-lbs., replace  attaching hardware.   See KME Parts Required below.
Work Instructions:	See Attachment.
Tools Required:	Common Hand Tools including a torque wrench Personal Protective Equipment (Protective Glasses, Gloves, Face Shield, etc.) Creeper
KME Parts Required:	If a corrective action is required, the following will be needed: (8) M14 x 2 x 35 mm GR 8.8 bolts (8) Trep-style spring washers.
KME CONTACT:	Dennis Wittig, Technical Support
TELEPHONE:	570-233-1891
EMAIL:	dwittig@kmefire.com
MAILING ADDRESS:	KME Fire Apparatus Plant #8 One Industrial Complex Nesquehoning, PA  18240   ATTENTION:  Mr. Dennis Wittig

 

WORK INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING

THE ENGINE AND OTHER CHASSIS COMPONENTS GET EXTREMELY HOT.  WHEN WORKING AROUND THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, BRAKES, AXLES AND EXHAUST, BE CAREFUL NOT TO GET BURNED.  IF POSSIBLE, WAIT FOR COMPONENTS TO COOL DOWN.

 

1. Ensure the vehicle is parked in a safe area with the park brake set.
2. Chock the wheels
3. Locate the Thelma retarder under the vehicle.

 

LEFT SIDE BRACKET

4. Locate the mounting brackets on the left side of the retarder.
5. Verify that the hardware is correct. Ensure that each bolt has a washer.  See Figure 2.

(M14 x 2 x 35mm GR 8.8 Bolt with a trep-style spring washers)

6. Visually check that the attaching hardware is tight. Ensure that bolts and washers are flat against the bracket with no gaps or cracks.  See Figure 3.
7. Verify that each bolt is torqued to 65 ft-lbs.

Replace any bolt that is out of torque or not torqued to 65 ft-lbs.

8. Make inspection notes to be used later.

 Hardware is correct.

 Hardware is tight:  flat against the bracket with no gaps or cracks.

 Each bolt is torqued to 65 ft-lbs.  Replace any that is not.

9. Go to next step, Inspect Right Side Bracket.

 

RIGHT SIDE BRACKET

10. Verify that the hardware is correct. Ensure that each bolt has a washer.  See Figure 2.

(M14 x 2 x 35mm GR 8.8 Bolt with a trep-style spring washers)

11. Visually check that the attaching hardware is tight. Ensure that bolts and washers are flat against the bracket with no gaps or cracks.  See Figure 3.
12. Verify that each bolt is torqued to 65 ft-lbs.

Replace any bolt that is out of torque or not torqued to 65 ft-lbs.

13. Make inspection notes to be used later.

 Hardware is correct.

 Hardware is tight:  flat against the bracket with no gaps or cracks.

 Each bolt is torqued to 65 ft-lbs.  Replace any that is not.

 

14. Complete Recall 20V341 response card when the work is finished. Use notes taken during inspection.  Return the card to Dennis Wittig, [email protected].

 

See KME Contact Information on first page.

 

---

July 21, 2020

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 20V341

TO: Affected KME Dealers

KME has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2011-2020 KME vehicles manufactured from June 2010 through November 2019.

Vehicles included in this recall have a Telma retarder that may have been installed with incorrect fasteners. The incorrect fasteners may vibrate loose allowing the retarder to separate from the vehicle.

KME or its dealers will inspect the mounting hardware on axial retarders and replace any incorrect hardware found at no cost to the vehicle owner. Estimated time for the remedy is 1.5 hours.

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 KME Customer Service at (570) 669-5230.

Sincerely,

KME, Inc.

 

---

16 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
KME	COMMERCIALCAB/ CHASSIS	2014
KME	PREDATOR	2011, 2013-2014, 2017-2018
KME	PREDATOR PANTHER	2015
KME	PREDATOR SS	2011, 2013-2020

 

---

7 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-20V341-1732.pdf 245.537KB

 

---

Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-20V341-4879.PDF 215.197KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2020-3

RCLQRT-20V341-1714.PDF 211.136KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2020-4

RCLQRT-20V341-8279.PDF 211.24KB

 

---

Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-20V341-1643.pdf 307.026KB

 

---

Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-20V341-6192.pdf 80.906KB

 

---

Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-1

RCLQRT-20V341-7018.PDF 211.326KB

 

---

Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=20V341&docType=RCL

 

---

 

Last update on 2026-05-27 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

---

 

This product presentation was made with AAWP plugin.