2018 Kalmar Ottawa T2 problems, complaints & recalls
Safety recalls (2)
Electrical System 2026-10-05 · campaign 26V648000 · 16,127 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kalmar Solutions, LLC (Kalmar) is recalling certain 2014-2026 Ottawa T2 4X2 and 2016-2026 T2 6X4 DOT/EPA terminal tractors. The printed circuit board (PCB) insulation may become damaged, resulting in a short circuit.
Risk: A short circuit increases the risk of a fire even when the vehicle is parked and the ignition is in the 'Off' position.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until their vehicle is repaired. Kalmar will rewire the cabin power and add a 5A fuse to the PCB circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by December 4, 2026. Owners may contact Kalmar customer service at 1-888-229-6300, select option 4, then option 2.
Parking Brake:conventional:air 2022-05-04 · campaign 22V298000 · 687 vehicles
Defect: Kalmar Solutions, LLC (Kalmar) is recalling certain 2015-2022 Ottawa T2 terminal tractors. The trailer handbrake valve and the trailer parking brake valve vent lines are plumbed together. This can cause the trailer parking brake to set unexpectedly when the trailer handbrake is released. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 121, "Air Brake Systems."
Risk: A trailer parking brake that sets unexpectedly can cause unintended vehicle motion, and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the tee fitting on the handbrake valve and reroute the parking brake valve and handbrake valve separately, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2022. Owners may contact Kalmar's customer service at 1-785-229-6327.
Service bulletins (1)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-08-10 · 26 TI 0086 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin identifies maintenance guidelines and inspection instructions of certain kalmar ottawa t2 models to prevent and identify premature component degradation or failure of the cabin power board caused by debris or moisture and requires immediate inspection of the power board (repeated every
What owners report
No detailed complaint narratives on file.
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.