Vehicle recall 12V027000 · January 30, 2012
2003-2011 KME Aerialcat
On these vehicles, upon activation of the dead mans switch on the turntable, the ladder may unexpectedly move.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Kovatch mobile equipment corporation (kme) is recalling certain model year 2003 through 2011 aerialcat model fire trucks equipped with an aerial bucket that is operated with electronic controls and a turntable that has hydraulic controls. On these vehicles, upon activation of the dead mans switch on the turntable, the ladder may unexpectedly move.
- Consequence
- If the ladder unexpectedly moves, the operator can lose control of the bucket location, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Kme will notify owners, and dealers will repair the trucks free of charge. The safety recall began on April 10, 2012. Owners may contact kovatch mobile equipment corporation at 1-570-669-5154.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to http://www.safercar.gov.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 12V027000
- Reported to NHTSA
- January 30, 2012
- Filed by
- KOVATCH MOBILE EQUIPMENT CORP
- Owner notification
- April 10, 2012
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 120
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Equipment
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
Has your KME been repaired?
Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.
NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A KME dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.