Recall 21V905 covers 26 2021-2022 Kme Predator Panther, Predator SS, and Redundant Predator emergency vehicles for drive-pinion fractures. Free repair at any franchised Kme dealer.
Kme is recalling 26 2021-2022 Redundant Predator, Predator Panther, and Predator SS emergency vehicles because the rear axle drive pinion can fracture. If the fractured pinion contacts the brake drop hose, the parking brake can engage without detection or brake lights, which increases the risk of a crash; Kme dealers will complete the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The rear axle carrier on the 2021-2022 Kme Redundant Predator, Predator Panther, and Predator SS emergency vehicles holds the gears that send engine power to the rear wheels. Inside that carrier, the pinion shaft takes turning force from the driveshaft and meshes with the ring gear so the axle can move the vehicle under load.
On affected vehicles, Meritor found a variation in the tooling geometry used to form the pinion splines. The splines are the grooved surfaces that help the shaft engage with the rest of the gear set. When that geometry is wrong, the pinion shaft can crack and fracture during a high-load event. A fractured pinion can break away inside the axle carrier and damage nearby systems, as Kme described in its recall review.
The owner gets no reliable early symptom. There is no warning sign before failure, so a vehicle can seem normal until the pinion shaft fractures.
Who's affected?
Spans 3 Predator configurations across the 2021 and 2022 model years, all tied to the same drive axle component.
| 2022 Kme Redundant Predator | drive axle |
|---|---|
| 2022 Kme Predator Panther | drive axle |
| 2022 Kme Predator SS | drive axle |
| 2021 Kme Predator Panther | drive axle |
| Units affected | 26 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 3 field incidents to date. |
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 fractured drive pinion can contact the brake drop hose and engage the parking brake without brake lights, increasing crash risk. There is no warning sign before this happens, so schedule the recall repair soon and use extra caution until it is complete. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm whether your 2021-2022 Kme Redundant Predator, Predator Panther, or Predator SS is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kme dealer to schedule the free rear-axle drive-pinion inspection and replacement that addresses the fractured-pinion risk behind unintended parking-brake engagement.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, and reference recall number 21V905 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Leave extra following distance and watch for parking-brake engagement without brake lights.
- Call Kme customer service at 1-800-235-3928 with questions about scheduling or free repair coverage.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kme technician inspects the rear axle drive pinion and replaces it if the inspection shows damage or a condition covered by the recall. The recall repair is available now, and parts and labor are covered at no charge. The drive pinion is the part covered by this repair, so use that wording when you call the service desk to schedule the visit.
Timeline
| November 19, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 7, 2022 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 4, 2022 | Dealer notification began |
| April 8, 2022 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 11, 2022 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 11, 2022 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V905?
Recall 21V905 covers 26 2021-2022 Kme Redundant Predator, Predator Panther, and Predator SS emergency vehicles with a rear axle drive pinion that can fracture. Kme says the fractured pinion can affect the parking brake system and increase crash risk.
What should I do if my 2021-2022 Kme Redundant Predator, Predator Panther, or Predator SS is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific emergency vehicle is included in recall 21V905. If it is, contact a Kme service location or Kme customer service at 1-800-235-3928 to arrange the drive pinion inspection and replacement if needed.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the safety recall repair at no cost. Meritor will inspect the drive pinion and replace it as needed free of charge, according to Kme's recall remedy for campaign 21V905.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended parking-brake engagement. If the rear axle drive pinion fractures, it can contact the brake drop hose and engage the parking brake without detection or brake lights, increasing the risk of a crash.
When were owners notified about recall 21V905?
Kme mailed owner notification letters on January 7, 2022. If you bought the vehicle after that date or never received a notice, check your VIN and reference recall 21V905 when you contact Kme customer service or a service location.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V905000 |
|---|---|
| Kme customer service | 1-800-235-3928 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V905 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V905000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →