Exterior lighting: brake lights (KME)
Vehicle recall 18V-622. NHTSA received Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.’s report on Sep 13, 2018.
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The short answer
NHTSA received Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.’s report on Sep 13, 2018. Copied from NHTSA on Oct 21, 2026.
Every line below is in NHTSA’s own words, with its source beside it.
What’s wrong with it?
If the brake lights incorrectly illuminate, it can confuse other drivers, possibly increasing the risk of a crash.
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
(KME) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Commercial Pumper, Commercial Rescue, Commercial Tanker, Commercial Wildland, 2018-2019 Predator Aerial, Predator Panther Pumper, Predator Pumper, Predator Rescue, Predator SS Pumper, Predator Tanker, 2018 Predator Panther Aerial, Predator Panther Tanker, Predator SS Aerial, Predator SS TDA, and Predator TDA vehicles equipped with Whelen accessory brake lights.
Depending on the specific wiring of the vehicle, these brake lights may illuminate when the brake pedal has not been pressed.
As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
- NHTSA’s part: Exterior lighting: brake lights.
What should you do?
KME will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake lights, free of charge. The recall began November 2, 2018. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
- How to reach the firm: 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.
- Check a vehicle by its VIN at NHTSA: the recalls still open on it are listed there.
Which ones are recalled?
NHTSA counts 111 vehicles potentially involved, across everything this recall names.
Each model year opens its own page: every recall naming it, its owner complaints and its crash ratings.
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
- KME Commercial Pumper201920182017
- KME Commercial Tanker201920182017
- KME Commercial Wildland201920182017
- KME Predator Panther Tanker2018
- KME Predator SS Pumper20192018
- KME Predator SS TDA2018
- KME Predator Aerial20192018
- KME Predator Pumper20192018
- KME Predator Rescue20192018
- KME Predator Tanker20192018
- KME Predator TDA2018
- KME Commercial Rescue20182017
- KME Predator SS Aerial2018
- KME Predator Panther Aerial2018
- KME Predator Panther Pumper20192018
Who is recalling it?
- Made by Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp..
NHTSA, Recalls flat file. Released Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily.
What the record doesn’t say
- NHTSA’s recall file doesn’t say whether anyone was hurt. Owners’ complaints are counted on each vehicle’s page.
- Whether one vehicle or seat has been fixed: only its maker, or NHTSA’s lookup with a VIN, can say.
- How many have been returned or fixed isn’t in the notice.
Hearth Record wrote these lines.
Sources
-
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Recalls flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010).
Released Oct 21, 2026 and checked Oct 21, 2026. Updated daily. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
Vehicle, car seat, tire and vehicle equipment recalls, owner complaints and crash ratings are from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Copied on Oct 21, 2026.