Kme PANTHER recalls by model year

Reported: 2006-10-26 (October 26, 2006) · Model years: 2006

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS BUILT WITH CUMMINS ISL CM850 DIESEL ENGINES. THE CONNECTING RODS WHICH TRANSFER ENERGY FROM THE PISTON TO THE CRANKSHAFT ARE DEFECTIVE AND CAN RESULT IN SEIZURE OF THE PISTON PIN. A PISTON PIN SEIZURE CAN RESULT IN A MISSION-DISABLING ENGINE FAILURE.

Consequence: THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED THE AGENCY WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSEQUENCE AS IT RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY.

Remedy: CUMMINS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTING RODS FREE OF CHARGE (PLEASE SEE 06E037). CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT CUMMINS AT 1-800-DIESELS OR KME AT 1-800-235-3928.

Reported: 2013-05-09 (May 9, 2013) · Model years: 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

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.

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

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.

Reported: 2013-04-11 (April 11, 2013) · Model years: 2012, 2013

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.

Consequence: Overheated brake components could result in a fire.

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.

Reported: 2014-07-25 (July 25, 2014) · Model years: 2013, 2014

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Predator and 2014 Panther fire fighting vehicles manufactured October 2013 to March 2014, and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence: If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: Kovatch will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-800-235-3926. Kovatch's number for this campaign is 2014-SR01.

Reported: 2022-10-17 (October 17, 2022) · Model years: 2021

Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94, and KME Panther emergency vehicles. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.

Consequence: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 2, 2022. Owners may contact Spartan Fire's customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 22007.

Reported: 2022-11-23 (November 23, 2022) · Model years: 2021

Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94 and KME Panther fire trucks. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.

Consequence: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Marion's customer service at 1-715-754-5261. Marion's number for this recall is 22V-778.

Reported: 2023-11-26 (November 26, 2023) · Model years: 2021

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Predator, Panther, and Severe Service fire trucks. A defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Consequence: Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inversion valves as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

Reported: 2024-07-02 (July 2, 2024) · Model years: 2023, 2024, 2025

Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Gladiator, 2024-2025 Metro Star and 2024 KME Panther vehicles equipped with certain independent front suspension assemblies. The lower control arm retention bolts could become brittle and break after being tightened.

Consequence: A broken bolt head can become a projectile, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy: Spartan Fire will replace the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2024. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 24010.

Reported: 2025-09-06 (September 6, 2025) · Model years: 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Gladiator, Metrostar, FC-94, KME Panther, and 2024-2025 Predator vehicles. The actuator lever arm in the cab door latch may bind or become wedged, preventing the door from opening.

Consequence: A door that cannot be opened may trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the door latches as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2025. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 25010.

Reported: 2024-10-24 (October 24, 2024) · Model years: 2025

Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Metro Star, FC-94, 2025 Gladiator, and KME Panther vehicles. A missing mechanical stop may allow the cab tilt cylinder to be overextended.

Consequence: Overextension of the cab tilt cylinder can cause the cab to drop, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the cylinder as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2024. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 24014.