- The problem
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2011 and 2013-2020 Predator Severe Service, 2015 Predator Panther, 2011, 2013-2014 and 2017-2018 Predator, and 2014 KME commercial cab/chassis firetrucks equipped with optional Telma induction braking systems. The Telma axial retarder braking mechanism may separate from the vehicle while it is moving.
- The risk
- A retarder that separates from the vehicle may increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the mounting hardware on axial retarders and replace any incorrect hardware, free of charge. This recall is expected to begin July 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-678-1910.
Vehicle safety record
2013 Kme Predator Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 5 complaints about the 2013 Kme Predator with NHTSA, most often about the body, doors & structure (5). It is covered by 6 recalls, the latest in June 2020 for the service brakes. For comparison, the 2012 has 2 and the 2014 has 2.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Predator year, for its age
#271 most complained-about 2013 vehicle
- Complaints
- 5
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2013 Kme Predator problems
Share of all 5 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2013 Kme Predator recalls 6
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Predator Severe-Service vehicles manufactured September 2, 2011, to September 20, 2013. The cab door latch retaining hardware may loosen, preventing the cab door from closing properly and allowing the cab door to open unexpectedly while moving.
- The risk
- If the door opens while the vehicle is in motion, the occupants are at an increased risk of injury.
- The fix
- KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the cab door latch hardware, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on May 25, 2016. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
- The problem
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain model year 2013-2015 Predator emergency vehicles manufactured January 23, 2013, to January 28, 2015. The affected vehicles have front independent suspension assemblies that may have loose ball joints which could separate causing a loss of steering control.
- The risk
- A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- KME will notify owners, and dealers will correct the ball joint installation, free of charge. The recall began on October 30, 2015. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A sudden loss of steering control may increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Overheated brake components could result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
Be the first Predator owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
5 complaints about the 2013 Kme Predator
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Cabin door latches come open without warning. The middle thru bolt for the latch loosens, causing excessive wear and loosening of the latch mechanism, and also causing the latch to fail to secure the door.
Cabin door latches come open without warning. The middle thru bolt for the latch loosens, causing excessive wear and loosening of the latch mechanism, and also causing the latch to fail to secure the door.
Cabin door opens without warning, sometimes while truck is in motion. Thru bolt loosens causing the latch to open.
Cabin door opens without warning, sometimes while truck is in motion. Thru bolt loosens causing the latch to open.
Door opens without warning from failure of latch mechanism to securely hold the door shut. The thru bolt loosens on its own.
Kme Predator: every year compared
All Predator years2013 Kme Predator vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Kme Predator | 5 | 6 | D | |
| 2013 Kme Predator Aerial | 1 | 5 | D | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2013 Kme Predator
Does the 2013 Kme Predator have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2013 Kme Predator: service brakes (June 2020); door (May 2016); front (October 2015); seat belts (July 2014) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Kme Predator?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the body, doors & structure (5).
How many complaints has the 2013 Kme Predator had?
5 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 14, 2016 and the latest on March 16, 2016. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2013 Kme Predator a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 27 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Kme Predator year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Kme Predator years have the most complaints?
2013 (5), 2010 (3), 2012 (2). See every Kme Predator year compared.
What should I do if my 2013 Kme Predator has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data