NHTSA campaign 18V172000
KME Recall 18V-172: Front Axle Spindle may Fracture
NHTSA recall 18V172000 was reported by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. on March 14, 2018, with 12 vehicles potentially affected (per NHTSA). NHTSA's record lists the KME Predator Pumper, KME Predator Rescue, KME Predator Aerial and more for model years 2007–2013. Owners were notified on May 2, 2018, per NHTSA.
Updated daily from NHTSA's recall files
Is my vehicle included?
This page lists, by model year, the vehicles NHTSA's recall record names for campaign 18V172000 in the model years try.vin imports (1995 and later); NHTSA's own record can list more. A model year on the list doesn't mean every vehicle of that year is included, and some may already have been repaired.
To see whether a specific vehicle is included and still needs the repair, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Free VIN check: decode a VIN to see its year, make and model.
Key facts
- NHTSA campaign
- 18V172000 (also written 18V-172 or 18V172)
- Filed by
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Report received
- Potentially affected
- 12 vehicles (per NHTSA)
- Component
- Suspension — Front
- Owners notified
Repair completion: 75% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated October 21, 2026)
NHTSA cautions against comparing completion rates across recalls or manufacturers. How try.vin reads them.
Vehicles listed for this recall
NHTSA's recall record lists these vehicles for recall 18V172000. try.vin imports model years 1995 and later, so NHTSA's own list can be longer. Model years with a try.vin recall page link to it. Build dates are NHTSA's range for a model year (per NHTSA); a vehicle built in that range is not necessarily included.
KME
KME Predator Aerial
- 2007 · Vehicles built June 9, 2006 – June 9, 2006 (per NHTSA)
KME Predator Pumper
KME Predator Rescue
KME Predator SS Aerial
- 2013 · Vehicles built December 7, 2012 – December 31, 2012 (per NHTSA)
KME Predator Tanker
- 2007 · Vehicles built September 15, 2006 – September 15, 2006 (per NHTSA)
NHTSA's recall notice
As NHTSA's recall record states it for campaign 18V172000.
Defect description
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.
Safety consequence
A wheel separation from the vehicle can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer 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.
Sources
Official NHTSA notice for recall 18V172000
Campaign details come from NHTSA's recall files, which try.vin imports once a day. The plain-language subject and the completion rate come from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Recalls Data dataset. How try.vin reads recall data.