Recall 12V253 affects 78 2010-2011 Kme Predator emergency vehicles for faulty ESC brake activation. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
Kme is recalling 78 2010-2011 Predator SS, Predator Xl, Predator Panther, and Predator emergency vehicles with Meritor WABCO electronic stability control units. Under certain road and driving conditions, the system can apply an outside front brake and pull the vehicle off its intended line of travel, increasing crash risk; the dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The electronic stability control system on 2010-2011 Kme Predator SS, Predator Xl, Predator Panther, and Predator emergency vehicles is built to help the driver keep the vehicle stable during cornering or low-traction driving. It reads vehicle motion and steering inputs, then applies individual brakes when it detects a skid or oversteer condition.
On affected vehicles, body roll and road inclination during certain driving conditions interfere with the system's slip angle calculation, which is the estimate of where the vehicle is pointing compared with where it is moving. The ESC then reads the vehicle as if it is oversteering when it is not. In response, it applies the outer front wheel brake until the system decides the vehicle is stable.
That unwanted brake application changes how the vehicle responds to steering and throttle. A driver can feel the vehicle slow or pull as the front brake is applied. There is no warning sign before failure.
Who's affected?
Spans the Predator, Predator Panther, Predator SS, and Predator Xl across 2010-2011, all tied to electronic stability control.
| 2011 Kme Predator SS | Electronic stability control (esc) |
|---|---|
| 2010 Kme Predator Xl | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 Kme Predator Panther | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 Kme Predator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2010 Kme Predator SS | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Kme Predator Xl | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Kme Predator Panther | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| 2011 Kme Predator | Electronic stability control (esc) |
| Units affected | 78 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
This ESC problem can let the vehicle deviate from the intended line of travel. That raises the risk of a crash. Schedule the recall repair soon and drive cautiously until it is complete. Repair will be free at any franchised Kme dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2010-2011 Kme Predator SS, Predator Xl, Predator Panther, or Predator emergency vehicle is included in this recall.
- Review the owner letter Kme mailed for this recall, or call Kme customer service if the letter never reached you.
- Contact a franchised Kme dealer to ask about the free ESC module installation that corrects unwanted front-axle braking from the stability-control system.
- Reference recall number 12V253 when you call the dealer or Kme customer service.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and avoid conditions that make the vehicle hard to keep in its intended line of travel.
What happens at the repair
Kme's listed remedy is installation of a new electronic stability control module. The owner notice process began on June 5, 2012. Once the dealer repair is available for your VIN, a Kme technician installs the new ESC module at no charge. This repair addresses the stability control unit that can misread body roll and road angle, then apply the outside front brake when the system thinks the vehicle is oversteering. Parts and labor are covered under the recall.
Timeline
| June 4, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V253?
Recall 12V253 covers 78 2010-2011 Kme Predator SS, Predator Xl, Predator Panther, and Predator emergency vehicles with Meritor WABCO ESC units. Road and body-roll conditions can affect the ESC calculation, causing unwanted outer front wheel braking. Kme dealers will install a new ESC module for free.
What should I do if my 2010-2011 Kme Predator SS, Predator Xl, Predator Panther, or Predator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 12V253. If it is, contact a Kme dealer or Kme at 1-570-669-5154 to arrange the ESC module replacement. Reference recall number 12V253 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kme's recall remedy says dealers will install a new ESC module free of charge. The recall repair began on June 5, 2012.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is that the vehicle can move away from its intended line of travel, increasing crash risk. The ESC system can misread stability conditions and apply the outer front wheel brake until it senses the vehicle is stable.
What if I bought this Kme emergency vehicle used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Predator SS, Predator Xl, Predator Panther, or Predator is included, then call a Kme dealer or Kme with recall number 12V253.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V253000 |
|---|---|
| Kme customer service | 1-570-669-5154 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V253 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V253000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →