Recall 16V606 covers 27 2012-2013 Kme Predator emergency vehicles with front grilles that can detach. All included vehicles have been remedied.
Kme is recalling 27 2012-2013 Predator Pumper, Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, and other Predator emergency vehicles because the front grille can loosen and separate from the cab face. A grille that detaches while driving can become a road hazard and increase crash risk; Kme dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front cab grille on the 2012-2013 Kme Predator Pumper, Predator Panther Tanker, Predator Rescue, Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, and Predator Panther Aerial emergency vehicles is a formed plastic, chrome-plated body panel mounted to the face of the cab. It should stay fixed to the cab while the vehicle is driven, including during vibration, braking, and normal body movement.
On affected vehicles, the mounting studs for the grille were secured with glue. That glue can loosen, which lets the studs lose their hold on the grille. Once enough attachment points let go, the front grille can loosen and separate from the cab face instead of staying attached as part of the body structure.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet technician should not count on a noise, light, or visible crack before the grille comes loose.
Who's affected?
Spans six Predator fire apparatus configurations across the 2012-2013 model years, all tied to body structure.
| 2012 Kme Predator Pumper | body structure |
|---|---|
| 2012 Kme Predator Panther Tanker | body structure |
| 2013 Kme Predator Pumper | body structure |
| 2013 Kme Predator Rescue | body structure |
| 2013 Kme Predator Aerial | body structure |
| 2012 Kme Predator Panther Pumper | body structure |
| 2013 Kme Predator Panther Pumper | body structure |
| 2013 Kme Predator Panther Aerial | body structure |
| 2012 Kme Predator Aerial | body structure |
| Units affected | 27 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
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?
If the front grille detaches while driving, it becomes a road hazard and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign listed for this recall, so confirm your VIN and schedule service promptly if your vehicle remains included. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2012-2013 Kme Predator Pumper, Predator Panther Tanker, Predator Rescue, Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, or Predator Panther Aerial is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kme dealer to confirm the free front-grille repair that secures the grille to the cab face is complete.
- Call Kme customer service at 1-570-669-5577 with questions and reference recall number 16V606.
- Inspect the front grille before each trip until the repair is confirmed, and keep the vehicle parked if the grille is loose.
What happens at the repair
Kme reports that all vehicles affected by this campaign have already been remedied, so no owner notification letter will be issued. The filing does not list a new dealer procedure to schedule now. The issue involved the front grille loosening and separating from the cab face, and the completed recall work addressed that condition at no charge. Kme has a general reimbursement plan on file. If your department already paid for a related grille repair before the recall work was completed, contact Kme customer service at 1-570-669-5577 with repair documentation and ask how that plan applies.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| August 16, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V606?
Recall 16V606 covers 27 2012-2013 Kme Predator emergency vehicles with a front grille that can loosen and separate from the cab face. If the grille detaches while driving, it can become a road hazard and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2012-2013 Kme Predator emergency vehicle is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in recall 16V606. Kme reported that all affected vehicles in this campaign have been remedied, so no owner notice was issued. If your VIN still shows this recall, call Kme customer service at 1-570-669-5577.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Kme reported that the affected vehicles in recall 16V606 have already been remedied, but owners with questions can contact Kme customer service at 1-570-669-5577.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is road debris from the vehicle itself. If the front grille separates from the cab face while driving, it can fall into traffic and create a crash hazard for the emergency vehicle or nearby road users.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V606000 |
|---|---|
| Kme customer service | 1-570-669-5577 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V606 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V606000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →