Vehicle recall 17V527000 · August 28, 2017
KME Airport Refueler, Predator Pumper and 1 more model
The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- Summary
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2016 Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, and Airport Refueler vehicles, equipped with certain Dana Spicer steer axles. The castellated nut on the steer axles may not be properly torqued, allowing the tie rod to loosen.
- Consequence
- If the tie rod loosens, it may disconnect from the steering knuckle, causing a complete loss of steering and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- KME will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the torque of the castellated nut and tie rod, tightening as necessary. If the nuts do not become properly secured and aligned after being adequately torqued, the dealer will replace the knuckle and tie rod end assemblies, free of charge. The recall began on October 5, 2017. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
- Notes
- Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 17V527000
- Reported to NHTSA
- August 28, 2017
- Filed by
- Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
- Owner notification
- October 5, 2017
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 11
- Initiated by
- the manufacturer
- Components
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly; Steering
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- KME Airport Refueler (2016): 2016
- KME Predator Pumper (2016): 2016
- KME Predator Rescue (2016): 2016
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.