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2014 Kme Aerialcat

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →
1Owner complaints

Model-year median: 0

0Recall campaigns

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1Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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2014
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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Steering
1Suspension
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 1 of 1 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

Suspension complaints

1 reports
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1,500 miles · Jun 17, 2015
SteeringSuspension

KME/KOVATCH AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS BUILT WITH A TAG AXLE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM POSE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC. THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED WITH SEVERAL FLAWS, OF WHICH KME KNOWS ABOUT. THE REAR TAG AXLE, AT TIMES DOES NOT LOCK OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. ALSO, THE …

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KME/KOVATCH AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS BUILT WITH A TAG AXLE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM POSE SAFETY CONCERNS FOR OCCUPANTS AND THE PUBLIC. THE REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM IS DESIGNED WITH SEVERAL FLAWS, OF WHICH KME KNOWS ABOUT. THE REAR TAG AXLE, AT TIMES DOES NOT LOCK OUT AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME UNSTABLE. ALSO, THE AIRBAG SUSPENSION IS NOT DESIGNED/INSTALLED PROPERLY, ALLOWING THE AIRBAGS TO BECOME DISTORTED AND RIDE ON THE SIDES OF THE BAG. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR PHOTOS OF 2 DIFFERENT TRUCKS.

NHTSA ODI #10725679

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE19016 · Aerial Turntable Failures

Opened Nov 12, 2019 · Closed Mar 5, 2020

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:mechanical

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this PE on November 12th, 2019 after receiving 2 consumer complaints alleging the aerial turntable on their 2013 KME fire trucks were supplied from the manufacturer without lubrication. When inspected, it was found that some of the turntable internal gears had seized and other gearbox internals were severely corroded and pitted due to lack of lubrication.ODI interviewed the two complainants and received documentation showing failed gearing and drive-planetaries due to a lack of lubrication. In addition, ODI visited the manufacturer's assembly plant to learn about the drive system and how it is received from the supplier Kraft Hydraulics. ODI learned the electric motor and apparatus are shipped dry. The system is then painted by KME prior to assembly on the fire truck when lubrication is then supposed to occur. KME has acknowledged the missed production step of filling the turntables with lubricating oil after installation on the vehicle. The turntable gearbox is supposed to contain lubricating oil to reduce friction and protect internal gears from corrosion. If the turntable was not filled with lubricating oil, it may seize or freely traverse without control, possibly striking objects and potentially endangering fire fighter safety.As part of the safety recall, KME will inspect and verify if the turntables contain lubricating oil. If not, they will be sent to the manufacturer for rebuild. If the owner has already incurred costs to remedy this issue, they will be directed in the notification letter to contact KME for reimbursement.This Preliminary Evaluation has been closed with a voluntary safety recall released by the manufacturer (20V-006).The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at:http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAIDusing the following complaint identification numbers: 1089324 and 11206194