NHTSA vehicle safety data
2014 KME Predator Aerial Recalls & Complaints
The 2014 KME Predator Aerial has 6 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 2014 KME Predator Aerial. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2014 KME Predator Aerial owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2014 KME Predator Aerial, describing incidents dated April 1, 2019.
Most-cited components
- Unknown or Other 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11203888 · Filed
SAME AS ISSUE NHTSA COMPLAINT NUMBER 11193052. NO OIL IN THE FAIRFIELD DRIVES THAT TURN THE AERIAL TURNTABLE. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR REVIEW OF DRIVES IN .PDF ,
Unintentional Rotation of the Ladder
NHTSA #17V503000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported August 14, 2017 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Potentially affected: 14 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified October 3, 2017 · Vehicles built March 12, 2014 – June 27, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Predator SS Aerial, and Predator Aerial vehicles. The software that controls the ladder rotation circuit may allow the ladder to rotate even after the rotation joystick is released.
Safety consequence
Unintended rotation of the ladder can increase the risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the ladder rotation software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
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.
Ladder Tip Speed may Increase Unexpectedly
NHTSA #17V504000 · Electrical System — Software · NHTSA notice
Reported August 14, 2017 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Potentially affected: 20 vehicles
Repair completion: 95% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified October 3, 2017 · Vehicles built May 24, 2012 – February 14, 2014 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2012-2014 Predator Aerial, and 2014-2017 Predator SS Aerial vehicles. A software error may cause the aerial ladder tip control speed to momentarily switch from 20 percent speed to 100 percent overall speed.
Safety consequence
The ladder speed accelerating without warning can increase the risk of injury to the ladder user or those nearby.
Manufacturer remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will update the ladder speed software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
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.
Loose Ball Joints may cause Loss of Steering
NHTSA #17V223000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm · NHTSA notice
Reported March 31, 2017 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Potentially affected: 9 vehicles
Repair completion: 22.22% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified May 8, 2017 · Vehicles built August 12, 2013 – August 12, 2013 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2013-2014 Predator SS Aerial, 2013-2016 Predator SS Pumper, 2014 Predator Aerial, Predator Pumper, and Predator Pumper TDA trucks. The ball joints on the independent front suspension (IFS) modules can loosen and separate, leading to a partial loss of steering.
Safety consequence
A separated ball joint can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, clean and secure the ball joint free of charge. The recall began on May 8, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-570-669-5577.
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.
Ladder Position Sensor Malfunction
NHTSA #16V930000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported December 23, 2016 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Potentially affected: 82 vehicles
Repair completion: 98.78% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified February 8, 2017 · Vehicles built September 27, 2011 – June 3, 2016 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2011-2017 Predator Aerial and Predator Panther Aerial, 2014 Predator TDA, 2014-2017 Predator SS TDA, and 2012-2017 Predator SS Aerial fire trucks. In the affected vehicles, water may leak into the ladder position sensor allowing the ladder to make contact with the vehicle or be placed off of the short jack side of the truck.
Safety consequence
If the ladder contacts the truck or is placed off of the short jack side of the truck there may be a increased risk of injury.
Manufacturer remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the ladder position sensor mount and bearing system, replacing them as needed, free of charge. The recall began on February 8, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
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.
Separation of Aerial Water Way Trolley
NHTSA #16V767000 · Equipment · NHTSA notice
Reported October 21, 2016 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Potentially affected: 54 vehicles
Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 1, 2016 · Vehicles built October 12, 2011 – July 11, 2015 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2011-2013 Predator Panther Aerial, 2011-2015 Predator Aerial, 2012-2015 Predator SS Aerial, 2014 Predator TDA, and 2014-2015 Predator SS TDA emergency vehicles equipped with aerial water way trollies. The aerial device water way trolley could separate from the ladder.
Safety consequence
If the water way trolley separates from the ladder, it may fall, increasing the risk of injury to those nearby.
Manufacturer remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will install re-enforcement inserts to the side clamps of the water way trolley, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. 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.
False Activations of Touchscreen
NHTSA #16V586000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported August 8, 2016 · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Potentially affected: 74 vehicles
Repair completion: 58.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified October 14, 2016 · Vehicles built August 24, 2012 – November 25, 2014 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2013 Predator Panther Rescue, 2013-2014 Predator Aerial, 2013-2016 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue and Predator SS Aerial, 2014 7600 Tanker and Predator Tractor Drawn Aerial, 2014-2017 Predator Panther Pumper and Predator SS Pumper and 2017 Predator SS Rescue vehicles, equipped with Class 1 Ultraview Touchscreens by Hale Products. These touchscreens may experience false switch activations that can happen without the operator's knowledge, causing accessories to turn on or off.
Safety consequence
The unintended turning on or off of accessories such as emergency beacons or automatic snow chains can increase the risk of a crash.
Manufacturer remedy
KME will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the units, free of charge. The recall began on October 14, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926 or Hale Products Customer Service Center @ 1-800-533-3569 or [email protected].
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.
Other KME Predator Aerial model years
Check your 2014 KME Predator Aerial VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your KME Predator Aerial at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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