VehicleVerdict

2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 5 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

Does the 2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V487000LightingAugust 18, 2020 · 38 units

Defect

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Commercial Pumper and Predator SS Rescue, 2018 Predator Panther Pumper and Commercial Skid, 2018-2020 Predator SS Aerial, 2020 Predator Panther Tanker, 2016 Predator Panther Aerial and Commercial Rescue, 2015-2019 Commercial Tanker, 2018-2019 Commercial Wildland, 2017 Predator SS Chassis and 2018-2021 Predator SS Pumper vehicles equipped with certain Code 3 7x9 Stop-Tail-Turn Reverse All-in-One LED stop, tail, turn, and reverse lights. The lights may be too bright, exceeding the maximum light output allowed which may adversely affect the vision of drivers. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

The excessive brightness may affect the vision of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and dealers will instruct vehicle owners to contact Code 3 to obtain a filter kit (Part No. CZ0199), free of charge. The recall began October 9, 2020. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

19V528000Body & StructureJuly 12, 2019 · 529 units

Defect

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Predator Rescue, SS Rescue, SS Aerial, Aerial, SS TDA and Tanker and Predator Panther Rescue and Aerial, 2016-2020 Predator Panther Pumper and Predator SS Pumper, 2017-2020 Predator Panther Tanker and Predator Pumper, 2017 Predator SS Tanker and 2017-2018 Predator TDA. In the event of a hydraulic system failure while raising or lowering the cab, the hydraulic velocity fuses may not activate and lock the cab in place to prevent the cab from quickly closing.

Consequence

If the velocity fuses do not activate and stop the cab from lowering, the cab may hit occupants working underneath, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the velocity fuses for each cab lift cylinder, free of charge. The recall began August 29, 2019. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

18V622000LightingSeptember 13, 2018 · 111 units

Defect

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Commercial Pumper, Commercial Rescue, Commercial Tanker, Commercial Wildland, 2018-2019 Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, Predator SS Pumper, Predator Tanker, 2018 Predator Panther Aerial, Predator Panther Tanker, Predator SS Aerial, Predator SS TDA, and Predator TDA vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights. Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence

If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

18V433000OtherJune 26, 2018 · 13 units

Defect

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2017 KME Predator TDA, 2016-2018 KME Predator SS TDA, and 2018 KME Predator SS Aerial emergency vehicles equipped with an aerial ladder and optional tip mounted lifting device. The lifting devices do not meet the specified load rating or safety factor.

Consequence

Using the device to lift the rated load may cause the device to deform, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

KME has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tip lifting device, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.

17V765000OtherNovember 22, 2017 · 74 units

Defect

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2015 Predator SS Tanker and Commercial Pumper built on Freightliner chassis, 2015-2018 Predator SS Pumper and Commercial Pumper built on Navistar chassis, 2016 Predator Panther Aerial and Predator Aerial, 2015-2017 Predator Panther Pumper and 2018 Predator SS Aerial vehicles equipped with Hale pressure relief valves in the water pumps used for fire fighting. Rings securing the valves may corrode over time after exposure to water, causing the ring to fail and the pressure relief valve to open, reducing the water pressure available for fire fighting.

Consequence

A reduction in water pressure may hinder fire fighting efforts, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

KME will notify owners, and KME dealers will install a remedy kit, free of charge. The recall began on January 8, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3926 or Hale customer service at 1-800-533-3569.

2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial — common questions

Is the 2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 5 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Kme Predator Ss Aerial under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.