RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2023 KME Panther recalls
11 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2023 KME Panther with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 04
- U.S. recalls
- 07
- Total campaigns
- 11
Transport Canada recalls
04- Structure#2025462
172 units affected
Issue: On certain fire trucks, a problem inside the door latch assemblies could cause the doors to become stuck. If this happens, the doors may not be able to be opened. Safety Risk: Doors that can't be opened could slow your exit from the vehicle and/or delay emergency responders from entering the vehicle. This could increase the risk of injury. Corrective Actions: Spartan Fire will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to an authorized service facility to inspect and, if necessary, replace the door latch assemblies.
- Brakes#2023645
3 units affected
Issue: On a small number of emergency vehicles, the inversion valve in the air brake system may not work properly. As a result, there could be a delay before the parking brake applies. If this happens, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. This issue also causes the vehicle not to meet the requirements of the Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: A delay before the parking brake applies could result in unintended vehicle movement, and create the risk of an injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: KME will notify the owners by mail and arrange for an inspection of the inversion valve. If the valve is not certified, it will be replaced.
- Brakes#2023512
95 units affected
Issue: On certain emergency vehicles, the inversion valve in the air brake system may not work properly. As a result, there could be a delay before the parking brake applies. If this happens, the vehicle could move unexpectedly. This issue also causes the vehicle not to meet the requirements of the Canadian regulations. Safety Risk: A delay before the parking brake applies could result in unintended vehicle movement, and create the risk of an injury or a crash. Corrective Actions: Spartan Fire will notify the owners by mail and arrange for an inspection of the inversion valve. If the valve is not certified, it will be replaced.
- Steering#2022603
44 units affected
Issue: On certain emergency vehicles, the tie rod end clamps could crack and loosen. If this happens, the threads on the tie rod end could become damaged and the tie rod end could separate. This could cause a loss of steering control. Safety Risk: A loss of steering control could create the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Spartan Fire will notify the owners by mail and instruct you to contact Meritor to arrange for replacement of the tie rod end clamps.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
07- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH#25V584000
Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan) is recalling certain 2023-2026 Gladiator, Metrostar, FC-94, KME Panther, and 2024-2025 Predator vehicles. The actuator lever arm in the cab door latch may bind or become wedged, preventing the door from opening.
Risk: A door that cannot be opened may trap occupants inside the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the door latches as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 20, 2025. Owners may contact Spartan customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan's number for this recall is 25010.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM#24V507000
Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Gladiator, 2024-2025 Metro Star and 2024 KME Panther vehicles equipped with certain independent front suspension assemblies. The lower control arm retention bolts could become brittle and break after being tightened.
Risk: A broken bolt head can become a projectile, increasing the risk of an injury.
Remedy: Spartan Fire will replace the bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2024. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 24010.
- PARKING BRAKE#23V798000
Kovatch Mobile Equipment Corp. (KME) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Predator, Panther, and Severe Service fire trucks. A defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the inversion valves as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 24, 2024. Owners may contact KME customer service at 1-800-235-3928.
- PARKING BRAKE#23V631000
Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, 2022-2024 FC-94, 2022-2023 KME Panther, and 2023 KME Predator emergency vehicles. A defect in the inversion valve may delay park brake engagement, which could allow the vehicle to move unintentionally. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: Unintentional vehicle movement can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the inversion valve, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2, 2023. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-800-867-6478. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 23017.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)#23V156000
Spartan Fire LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Gladiator, Metro Star, FC-94 and KME Panther firetrucks. After the vehicle is reversed, the transmission control module (TCM) may fail to achieve the 4th gear lockup needed to initiate the water pump.
Risk: A firetruck that is unable to pump water increases the risk of injury during a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will update the TCM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 27, 2023. Owners may contact Spartan Fire customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 23007.
- STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY#22V871000
Marion Body Works Inc. (Marion) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Spartan Fire Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94 and KME Panther fire trucks. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.
Risk: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace both tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 13, 2022. Owners may contact Marion's customer service at 1-715-754-5261. Marion's number for this recall is 22V-778.
- STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY#22V778000
Spartan Fire, LLC (Spartan Fire) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Gladiator, MetroStar, FC-94, and KME Panther emergency vehicles. The tie rod clamps may have been improperly heat-treated, causing them to fail and allowing the tie rods to separate.
Risk: Tie rod separation can result in a sudden loss of steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the tie rod clamps, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 2, 2022. Owners may contact Spartan Fire's customer service at 1-517-543-6400. Spartan Fire's number for this recall is 22007.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2023 KME Panther VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.