Recall 14V455 affects 10 2013-2014 Kme Panther and Predator fire fighting vehicles for seat belt buckles that jam. Free repair at any franchised Kme dealer.
Kme is recalling 10 2013-2014 Panther and Predator fire fighting vehicles because IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles can leave the latch plate partly engaged after the release button is pressed. A stuck buckle can hinder emergency exit and increase injury risk, and the Kme dealer repair will be free once available.
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What's wrong?
The seat belt buckle in the 2013-2014 Kme Panther and Predator is the latch mounted at the seat that holds the belt tongue in place. In normal use, the latch plate clicks into the buckle and stays locked until the release button is pressed. That lock is what keeps the belt secured around the occupant while the fire fighting vehicle is moving.
On affected Panther and Predator vehicles, the IMMI-brand L9 buckle does not release cleanly. When the button is pressed, the latch plate can stay partly caught inside the buckle instead of coming free. That makes the seat belt difficult to unlatch after the occupant tries to release it.
There is no warning sign before failure. The issue shows up when the release button is pressed and the belt does not unlatch as expected.
Who's affected?
The Panther and Predator trucks are included for both model years, with the same seat belt component named throughout.
| 2013 Kme Panther | seat belt |
|---|---|
| 2014 Kme Panther | seat belt |
| 2013 Kme Predator | seat belt |
| 2014 Kme Predator | seat belt |
| Units affected | 10 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
A seat belt buckle that stays partly latched after the release button is pressed can slow exit from the vehicle and increase injury risk during an emergency. If the buckle does not release cleanly, stop using that seating position and arrange dealer service. Repair will be free at any franchised Kme dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2013-2014 Kme Panther or Predator is included in this recall.
- Contact Kme customer service at 1-800-235-3926 to confirm repair instructions and reference recall number 14V455.
- Schedule the seat-belt-buckle inspection and replacement that fixes the buckle latch staying partly engaged after release.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it when the vehicle goes in for service.
- Avoid using the affected seating position until the buckle is inspected if the seat belt is difficult to unlatch.
What happens at the repair
Kme's repair path is an inspection of the IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckle, followed by buckle replacement when the latch plate partially engages after the release button is pressed. Once the dealer remedy is available for your vehicle, a Kme technician handles the inspection and replacement at no charge. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. The source does not list a separate reimbursement plan, so this section does not give reimbursement instructions.
Timeline
| July 25, 2014 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 24, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 14V455?
Recall 14V455 covers 10 2013-2014 Kme Panther and Predator fire fighting vehicles with IMMI L9 seat belt buckles. The buckle latch plate can remain partly engaged after the release button is pressed, making the belt difficult to unlatch. Dealers inspect and replace the buckle free of charge when needed.
What should I do if my 2013-2014 Kme Panther or Predator is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 14V455. If it is, contact a franchised Kme dealer to schedule the seat belt buckle inspection. Reference recall 14V455 or Kme campaign 2014-SR01 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kme dealers inspect and replace the affected seat belt buckle free of charge when needed.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is delayed exit from the vehicle during an emergency. If the latch plate stays partly engaged after the release button is pressed, the seat belt becomes difficult to unlatch, increasing injury risk when quick egress matters.
What if I bought this Kme fire fighting vehicle used?
The free repair still applies. Recall eligibility follows the VIN, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether this Panther or Predator is included, then call a franchised Kme dealer with recall 14V455 or Kme campaign 2014-SR01.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/14V455000 |
|---|---|
| Kme customer service | 1-800-235-3926 |
| NHTSA recall # | 14V455 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 14V455000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →