NHTSA vehicle safety data

2012 KME Panther Recalls & Complaints

The 2012 KME Panther has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized KME dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2012 KME Panther. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2012 KME Panther owner complaints

Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2012 KME Panther, describing incidents dated May 3, 2019.

Most-cited components

Unknown or Other 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11206194 · Filed May 8, 2019
FULTON NY FIRE DEPT WAS NOTIFIED BY SYRACUSE FD OF AN ISSUE WITH THEIR KME SWING DRIVES, FULTON FD HAD OUR DRIVES INSPECTED ON 5/3/19 AND THE INFO BELOW WAS FOUND. SWING DRIVES FOR THE AERIAL WHERE INSPECTED. NO FILL PLUG COULD BE ACCESSED. DRAIN PLUGS WHERE ACCESSED. DRAIN PLUGS WHERE REMOVED. NO…

Read the full complaint

Steering Column Grease Fitting may Hinder Steering

NHTSA #13V187000 · Steering · NHTSA notice

Reported May 9, 2013 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.

Potentially affected: 695 vehicles

Manufacturer campaign 2013-E01 · Owners notified May 20, 2013 · Vehicles built September 1, 2008 – April 30, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2009-2013 Predator, Predator SS, Panther; 2010-2011 ARFF; and model year 2010-2013 Panther II emergency vehicles. The grease fitting in the steering column shaft may get caught in the column cover. The grease fitting could tear the cover which will impact the driver's ability to steer the vehicle.

Safety consequence

A sudden loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Kovatch will notify owners and dealers will remove the grease fitting, free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2013. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-570-669-5173. Kovatch's recall campaign number is 2013-E01.

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.

Air Brake Leakage may cause Brake Drag

NHTSA #13V137000 · Parking Brake — Conventional — Air · NHTSA notice

Reported April 11, 2013 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.

Potentially affected: 40 vehicles

Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2012-2013 Predator, Predator SS, Panther, and model year 2011 Panther II emergency vehicles manufactured February 1, 2011, through February 28, 2013. These vehicles are equipped with Meritor axle assemblies that were built with disc brakes using MGM J24 series air brake chambers. In the affected axles, the brake chambers may leak pressure allowing the parking brake to drag when it is supposed to be released. Brake dragging could lead to overheated brake components.

Safety consequence

Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Kovatch will notify owners and will replace the actuators as needed, free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin in May 2013. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-570-669-5132.

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.

try.vin has no NCAP crash-test rating on file for the 2012 KME Panther. NHTSA rates some vehicles by body style — pickups by cab, vans by roof height — so check nhtsa.gov/ratings.

1 owner complaint has been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 KME Panther.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11206194

Incident: May 3, 2019 · Filed: May 8, 2019

FULTON NY FIRE DEPT WAS NOTIFIED BY SYRACUSE FD OF AN ISSUE WITH THEIR KME SWING DRIVES, FULTON FD HAD OUR DRIVES INSPECTED ON 5/3/19 AND THE INFO BELOW WAS FOUND. SWING DRIVES FOR THE AERIAL WHERE INSPECTED. NO FILL PLUG COULD BE ACCESSED. DRAIN PLUGS WHERE ACCESSED. DRAIN PLUGS WHERE REMOVED. NO OIL CAME OUT OF THE DRAINS. INSIDE OF DRIVES WERE CHECKED WITH AN INSPECTION CAMERA. THE DRIVER SIDE DRIVE WAS FOUND TO BE FULL OF RUST. THE OFFICER SIDE DRIVE WERE FOUND TO HAVE RUST FORMING ON SOME PARTS INSIDE. THESE DRIVES ARE MAINTENANCE FREE AND ARE SUPPOSE TO BE FILLED WITH OIL. NO OIL WAS INSTALLED IN THESE UNITS.

Other KME Panther model years

Check your 2012 KME Panther VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your KME Panther at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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