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🩹 Injury riskNHTSA 14V455📅 Jul 25, 2014

2013–2014 KME Panther & 2013–2014 KME Predator recall: seat belt

⚠️ What's wrong

Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (Kovatch) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Predator and 2014 Panther fire fighting vehicles manufactured October 2013 to March 2014, and equipped with IMMI-brand L9 seat belt buckles. When the button is pressed to release the seat belt, the latch plate can become partially engaged with the buckle, making the seat belt difficult to unlatch. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

💥 The risk

If the latch plate remains partially engaged after the button is pressed, egress from the vehicle could be hindered which would increase the risk of injury in the event of an emergency.

🔧 The fix

Kovatch will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt buckle, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Owners may contact Kovatch at 1-800-235-3926. Kovatch's number for this campaign is 2014-SR01.

Is the fix free? Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer under federal law, including parts and labor. (Vehicles more than 15 years old when the recall was announced can be excluded, but most manufacturers still fix them.)
NHTSA campaign
14V455000
Manufacturer recall #
2014-SR01
Manufacturer
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp.
Vehicles affected
10
Component
SEAT BELTS
Owner phone
1-800-235-3926
NHTSA hotline
1-888-327-4236
Owner letters mailed
Aug 24, 2015
Built
Oct 1, 2013 – Mar 30, 2014
Recall started by
ODI
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.

Vehicles in this recall

Is your car affected? Recalls apply to specific VINs. Check my VIN

FAQ

Is the 14V455 recall repair free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer under federal law, including parts and labor. (Vehicles more than 15 years old when the recall was announced can be excluded, but most manufacturers still fix them.)

Which vehicles are included in recall 14V455?

2013–2014 KME Panther & 2013–2014 KME Predator. 10 vehicles may be affected. Check your exact car with its 17-character VIN.

What should I do?

Check your VIN, then call any authorized KME dealer to book the free repair or call the manufacturer at 1-800-235-3926.