Mounts Insufficiently Welded to Axle – 2013-2020 KME Kovatch Mobile Equipment

February 19, 2021 NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 21V097000

Mounts Insufficiently Welded to Axle

Broken welds may cause the mounts to separate from the axle, resulting in loss of control of the vehicle, and increasing the risk of a crash.

 

NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V097

Manufacturer Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.

Components SUSPENSION

Potential Number of Units Affected 88

 

Summary

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Predator SS Rescue, 2017 Predator Emergency Tractor, 2014-2020 Predator Panther Pumper, 2013-2017 Predator Pumper, 2014 Predator Rescue, and 2013-2020 Predator SS Pumper vehicles. The welds that attach the suspension mounts and torque rod mounts to the rear axle may have been insufficiently welded, possibly causing the welds to break.

 

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the welds, and repair any defects found, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2021. 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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ONRD – 00003312021- 29

REV A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Title:	Axle Repair with Neway Suspension
Date:	March 31, 2021
Vehicles:	Vehicles part of KME Recall 21V097
Issue:	The Upper Axle Adapter welds and both Bottom Axle adapters welds may Fail.
Corrective Action:	Inspect the Upper Axle Adapter and both Bottom Axle Adapters.  Repair welds, as needed.
Work Instructions:	See Attachment.
Tools Required:	Personal Protective Equipment (Protective Glasses, Gloves, Face Shield, etc.) Creeper or Hydraulic Truck Lift. Welding Equipment.
KME Parts Required:	None
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  18240ATTENTION:  Mr. Dennis Wittig

 

WORK INSTRUCTIONS

1. Read and study the attached three pages from Neway before performing the inspection.

2. During the visual inspection, refer to sheet 1 of the attachment for welding specifications.

3. Visually inspect the Left and Right Side, Bottom Axle Adapters.

• Figure 3 on sheet 1 of the attachment shows the bottom axle adapters.
• Check 3 passes for welds. Figures 1 and 5
• Check for flat or slightly convex contour on front and rear. A concave contour is not allowed.  Reference Figure 6 on sheet 1.
• Check the integrity of each weld, quality of the weld, and that sizes are correct as per instructions on attachment.

LEFT BOTTOM AXLE ADAPTER	PASS	FAIL
1.  Left Bottom Axle Front Adapter is attached to axle.
2.  Left Bottom Axle Front Adapter Front Welds are not cracked.
3.  Left Bottom Axle Front Adapter Front Welds Condition: See bullets Above.
4.  Left Bottom Axle Rear Adapter is attached to axle.
5.  Left Bottom Axle Rear Adapter Front Welds are not cracked.
6.  Left Bottom Axle Rear Adapter Front Welds Condition: See Bullets Above.
RIGHT BOTTOM AXLE ADAPTER
1.  Right Bottom Axle Front Adapter is attached to axle.
2.  Right Bottom Axle Front Adapter Front Welds are not cracked.
3.  Right Bottom Axle Front Adapter Front Welds Condition: See bullets Above.
4.  Right Bottom Axle Rear Adapter is attached to axle.
5.  Right Bottom Axle Rear Adapter Front Welds are not cracked.
6.  Right Bottom Axle Rear Adapter Front Welds Condition: See Bullets Above.

 

4. Insect the Upper Axle Adapter.

• The Upper Axle Adapter is located above the round pumpkin on the top of the axle. Reference the top view for welding sequence and figure to far right on Sheet 1 of 3.
• Check for flat or slightly convex contour around the Upper Axle Adapter. A concave contour is not allowed.  Reference Figure 6 on sheet 1.
• Check the integrity of each weld, quality of the weld, and that sizes are correct as per instructions on attachment.

 

UPPER AXLE ADAPTER	PASS	FAIL
1.  Upper Axle Adapter is attached to the top of the axle.
2.  Upper Axle Adapter Welds are not cracked.  See Top View for Weld Sequences.
3.  Upper Axle Adapter Welds Condition: See bullets Above.

 

5. If all inspection points pass, then no repair required. See first page of this bulletin for contact information and inform KME that the inspection was completed, and the vehicle passed.

6. Any failures during visual inspection will require repair at a certified weld shop, preferably one that has experience with heavy duty truck suspensions.

a. Inform the KME Contact that the inspection failed before scheduling repairs.

b. After contacting KME, schedule repair.

 

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April 05, 2021

 

Name
Address
City, State Zip

 

 

IMPORTANT SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 21V097

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 2013-2020 KME vehicles manufactured from October 2012 through November 2019.

 

Vehicles included in this recall may have insufficient welds used to attach suspension mounts and torque rod mounts to the rear axle.  The welds may break causing the mounts to become separated from the axle.  This could lead to loss of control of the vehicle causing a crash.

 

What are we doing about the problem?

KME or its dealers will inspect and verify the integrity of the welds per the weld instructions and will repair any defects found at no cost to the vehicle owner.  Estimated time for the remedy is 1.5 hours for inspection and 30 hours for repair if required.

 

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 your vehicle(s) remedied.

 

INCLUDED WITH THIS LETTER IS AN OWNER RESPONSE CARD TO BE FILLED OUT AND RETURNED TO KME.  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: [email protected]
Fax: (570) 669-5182

 

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 at (570) 669-5230.

 

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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March 30, 2021

 

SAFETY RECALL NOTICE: 21V097

 

TO: Affected KME Dealers

 

KME has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exists in certain model year 2013-2020 KME vehicles manufactured from October 2012 through November 2019.

 

Vehicles included in this recall may have insufficient welds used to attach suspension mounts and torque rod mounts to the rear axle.  The welds may break causing the mounts to become separated from the axle.

 

KME or its dealers will inspect and verify the integrity of the welds per the weld instructions and will repair any defects found at no cost to the vehicle owner.  Estimated time for the remedy is 1.5 hours for inspection and 30 hours for repair if required.

 

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.

 

kmefire.com

 

One Industrial Complex | Nesquehoning, PA 18240
T (800) 235-3928 | P (570) 669-9461
Member of the REV Group

 

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24 Affected Products

Vehicles

MAKE	MODEL	YEAR
KME	PREDATOR	2017
KME	PREDATOR PANTHER PUMPER	2014-2020
KME	PREDATOR PUMPER	2013-2017
KME	PREDATOR RESCUE	2014
KME	PREDATOR SS PUMPER	2013-2020
KME	PREDATOR SS RESCUE	2017-2018

 

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9 Associated Documents

Recall Acknowledgement

RCAK-21V097-3905.pdf 646.242KB

 

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Manufacturer Notices(to Dealers,etc)

RCMN-21V097-3997.pdf 85.195KB

 

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ISSUED Owner Notification Letter(Part 577)

RCONL-21V097-5898.pdf 138.195KB

 

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Recall 573 Report- Amendment 1

RCLRPT-21V097-5535.PDF 217.185KB

 

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Defect Notice 573 Report

RCLRPT-21V097-2008.PDF 216.048KB

 

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Remedy Instructions and TSB

RCRIT-21V097-5754.pdf 547.14KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #2, 2021-3

RCLQRT-21V097-7817.PDF 211.229KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #1, 2021-2

RCLQRT-21V097-4413.PDF 211.132KB

 

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Recall Quarterly Report #3, 2021-4

RCLQRT-21V097-5383.PDF 211.319KB

 

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Latest Recalls Documents

https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/documentList.xhtml?docId=21V097&docType=RCL

 

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Last update on 2026-06-13 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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