Recall 24V507 affects 48 2023-2025 Kme Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar vehicles for brittle lower control arm bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
Kme is recalling 48 2023-2025 Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar vehicles because lower control arm retention bolts on certain independent front suspension assemblies can become brittle and break after being tightened. A broken bolt head can become a projectile and increase injury risk; Kme dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The independent front suspension on affected 2023-2025 Kme Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar vehicles supports and locates the front wheels while the vehicle steers and carries weight. The lower control arm is one of the main links in that suspension. Its retention bolts hold the arm in place so the suspension geometry stays where it was designed to be.
In this recall, the affected bolts were stripped of their original coating and replated with zinc. That process led to hydrogen embrittlement, which means the metal becomes brittle from hydrogen trapped during plating. After the bolts are tightened, that brittleness can let a bolt break instead of holding clamping force at the lower control arm.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner or fleet technician is not expected to hear, feel, or see a reliable early symptom before a brittle bolt breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar trucks across 2023-2025, all tied to the lower control arm.
| 2024 Kme Panther | lower control arm |
|---|---|
| 2023 Kme Panther | lower control arm |
| 2025 Spartan Fire Gladiator | lower control arm |
| 2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator | lower control arm |
| 2025 Spartan Fire Metrostar | lower control arm |
| 2025 Kme Panther | lower control arm |
| 2023 Spartan Fire Metrostar | lower control arm |
| 2024 Spartan Fire Gladiator | lower control arm |
| 2024 Spartan Fire Metrostar | lower control arm |
| Units affected | 48 |
| 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?
A broken bolt head can separate and become a projectile, increasing the risk of injury near the vehicle. There is no warning sign before failure. If your VIN is included, schedule the bolt replacement soon and ask the dealer how to bring the vehicle in safely. Repair is free at any franchised Kme dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2023-2025 Kme Panther, Gladiator, or Metrostar is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kme dealer to schedule the free lower-control-arm retention bolt replacement that fixes bolts that can become brittle and break.
- Bring the owner letter if you have it, and reference recall number 24V507 when you call.
- Keep people clear of the front suspension area until the repair is complete; a broken bolt head can become a projectile.
- Call Kme customer service at 1-517-543-6400 with questions and mention Kme recall 24010.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kme technician replaces the lower control arm retention bolts in the independent front suspension assembly. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Because Spartan Fire has a general reimbursement plan on file, owners who already paid for this bolt repair can ask Spartan Fire customer service about reimbursement under that plan and provide any repair paperwork the program requests.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| July 2, 2024 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| August 1, 2024 | Dealer notification began |
| August 2, 2024 | Dealer notification ended |
| August 5, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| August 5, 2024 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| August 5, 2024 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 24V507?
Recall 24V507 covers 48 2023-2025 Kme Panther, Gladiator, and Metrostar vehicles with lower control arm retention bolts in certain independent front suspension assemblies. The bolts can become brittle and break after tightening. Spartan Fire will replace the bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2023-2025 Kme Panther, Gladiator, or Metrostar is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 24V507. If it is, contact a franchised Kme service location or Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400 to schedule the bolt replacement. Reference recall number 24010 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Spartan Fire will replace the affected lower control arm retention bolts free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for vehicles included in recall 24V507.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is injury from a broken bolt head. NHTSA campaign 24V507 states that a broken bolt head can become a projectile, increasing injury risk. The repair path is to replace the affected bolts for free once your VIN is confirmed.
When were owners notified about recall 24V507?
Spartan Fire mailed owner notification letters on August 5, 2024. If you bought the vehicle used or never received a letter, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Panther, Gladiator, or Metrostar is included before calling for service.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/24V507000 |
|---|---|
| Kme customer service | 1-517-543-6400 |
| NHTSA recall # | 24V507 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 24V507000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (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 →