Kalmar Announces Safety Update for Terminal Tractors

Kalmar, the global leader in sustainable material handling equipment and services, has announced a proactive safety update for its Ottawa T2 terminal tractors. The company issued a recall notice with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on October 5, 2026, to address a safety concern affecting the Ottawa T2 4x2 DOT/EPA, Ottawa T2 Off Road, and Ottawa T2 6x4 DOT/EPA configurations.

The issue stems from a potential breakdown of electrical insulation resistance in the power distribution board located in the cabin of affected units. In very rare circumstances, this can lead to a short circuit and, in some cases, thermal events. The units involved in these events represent a very small portion of the total Ottawa T2 fleet, with less than 0.001% of total units affected.

Despite the rarity of these incidents, Kalmar is taking a proactive stance to ensure the safety and reliability of its Ottawa T2 units. The recall will include the addition of a remote ground stud (RGS/fuse) to completely isolate certain electrical circuits and prevent thermal events from occurring. Kalmar will notify customers directly in the upcoming weeks with further details on the implementation of the RGS in the affected vehicles. The company's service team will work closely with customers to coordinate scheduling and ensure their vehicles are returned to service as promptly as possible.

Kalmar, headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, operates globally in over 120 countries and employs approximately 5,300 people. In 2025, the company's sales totalled approximately EUR 1.7 billion. The company offers a wide range of industry-shaping heavy material handling equipment and services to ports and terminals, distribution centers, manufacturing, and heavy logistics.

The recall and safety update underscores Kalmar's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability in its material handling equipment. Kalmar continues to be a leader in sustainable material handling solutions, moving goods in critical supply chains around the world.