The problem
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.
The risk
The unintended turning on or off of accessories such as emergency beacons or automatic snow chains can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix
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].
Contacts
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.
What to do
- Check your VIN. Enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls - it shows whether this recall applies to your vehicle and whether the repair has been done.
- Call a dealer. Any authorized Kme dealer will do the repair free, whether or not you bought the vehicle there. Quote campaign 16V586000.
- Ask about parts and a loaner. If parts aren't available yet, ask what to do in the meantime.
- Keep your paperwork. If you paid for this repair before the recall, you may be able to get reimbursed - here's how.