KME Panther recalls
Every NHTSA recall campaign filed since 2000 that names the KME Panther, newest first. Last verified Sep 14, 2026.
Units are totals reported across campaigns mentioning this model — NHTSA does not always break unit counts down by model.
Affected components
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →All campaigns
- Sep 6, 2025Crash risk2023–2026 KME Panther, 2024–2025 KME Predator, 2023–2024 KME Panther and 4 other models — Latches/locks/linkages
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.
25V584000 · 1K units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Oct 24, 2024Crash risk2025 KME Panther, 2024–2025 Spartan Fire FC-94, 2025 Spartan Fire Gladiator and 1 other model — Equipment
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.
24V799000 · 50 units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Jul 2, 2024Crash risk2023–2025 KME Panther, 2023–2025 Spartan Fire Gladiator, 2023–2025 Spartan Fire Metrostar — Suspension
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.
24V507000 · 48 units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Mar 7, 2024Fire risk2024 KME Panther, 2024 Spartan Fire Commercial, 2024 Spartan Fire FC-94 and 2 other models — Electrical System
Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Gladiator, MetroStar, 2024 Commercial, FC-94, and KME Panther trucks equipped with Hercules HC 1.7 multiplex nodes. In the event of a short circuit or wiring failure, the firmware in the node may fail to shut off the output pin, resulting in overloaded electrical circuits.
24V181000 · 42 units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Nov 26, 2023Crash risk2021 KME Panther, 2021 KME Predator, 2022–2023 KME Panther and 2 other models — Parking Brake
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."
23V798000 · 44 units · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Sep 12, 2023Crash risk2022–2023 KME Panther, 2023 KME Predator, 2022–2024 Spartan Fire FC-94 and 2 other models — Parking Brake
Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, 2022-2024 FC-94, 2022-2023 KME Panther, and 2023 KME Predator emergency vehicles. 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."
23V631000 · 660 units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Mar 23, 2023Fire risk2022–2024 KME Panther, 2022–2024 Spartan Fire FC-94, 2022–2024 Spartan Fire Gladiator and 1 other model — Power Train
Spartan Fire LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, FC-94 and KME Panther firetrucks. After the vehicle is reversed, the transmission control module (TCM) may fail to achieve the 4th gear lockup needed to initiate the water pump.
23V156000 · 166 units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Nov 23, 2022Crash risk2021 KME Panther, 2022–2023 KME Panther, 2021–2023 Spartan Fire FC-94 and 2 other models — Steering
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.
22V871000 · 6 units · Marion Body Works Inc.
- Oct 17, 2022Crash risk2021 KME Panther, 2022–2023 KME Panther, 2021–2023 Spartan Fire FC-94 and 2 other models — Steering
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.
22V778000 · 225 units · Spartan Fire, LLC
- Jul 25, 2014Crash risk2013–2014 KME Panther, 2013–2014 KME Predator — Seat Belts
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."
14V455000 · 10 units · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- May 9, 2013Crash risk2010–2011 KME Arff, 2009–2013 KME Panther, 2010–2013 KME Panther II and 2 other models — Steering
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.
13V187000 · 695 units · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Apr 11, 2013Fire risk2012–2013 KME Panther, 2011 KME Panther II, 2012–2013 KME Predator and 1 other model — Parking Brake
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.
13V137000 · 40 units · Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Oct 26, 2006Safety2006 KME Panther, 2006 KME Severe Service — Engine and Engine Cooling
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.
06V407000 · 14 units · KOVATCH MOBILE EQUIPMENT