2018 Proterra Catalyst

Routine

No owner complaints are on file for this vehicle. It has been recalled 9 times.

9 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Electrical System › Propulsion System › Traction Battery22V887000
Filed Nov 30, 2022300 vehiclesProterra Operating Company, Inc.

Defect. Proterra Operation Company, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Catalyst transit buses. One or more battery packs may allow liquid to leak into and accumulate in the battery pack enclosure.

Risk. The accumulation of liquid inside the battery pack enclosure increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy. Proterra will update software, inspect, and replace the battery pack, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 6, 2023. Owners may contact Proterra's customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)22V114000
Filed Feb 28, 2022724 vehiclesProterra, Inc.

Defect. Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2017-2019 35 foot Catalyst E2, 2017-2019 40 foot E2, 2020-2021 35 foot RR, 2019-2020 40 foot RR, 2019-2022 40 foot ZX5, and 2020-2022 35 foot ZX5 buses. The plexus adhesive between the torque limiter plate and the bus body may be insufficient, causing the bolts that secure the steering gearbox to loosen.

Risk. A loose steering gearbox can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Dealers will install a mechanical fastener and new bolts on the steering gearbox, and install a new torque plate, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 7, 2022. Owners may contact Proterra's customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Steering › Gear Box (other Than Rack and Pinion)20V664000
Filed Oct 28, 20205 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2018-2020 35 foot and 40 foot Catalyst buses. Lack of plexus adhesive between the torque plate and the vehicle chassis may cause the bolts securing the steering gear box to loosen.

Risk. An unsecured steering gear box could cause the driver to lose the ability to steer the vehicle, increasing the risk of crash or injury.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the steering gear mounting bolts and the plexus adhesive layer between the torque plate and the chassis. If the plexus adhesive layer is missing or insufficient, the components will be repaired, free of charge. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000. Proterra's number for this recall is SC-20-154.

Structure › Emergency › Escape/Egress/Exit19V460000
Filed Jun 14, 201921 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Catalyst buses equipped with a certain batch of glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses may cause the tempered glass roof hatch to shatter.

Risk. If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments may fall onto passengers, increasing the risk of an injury.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and the glass hatch manufacturer will provide replacement hatch lids, free of charge. The recall began August 13, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra at 1-864-438-0000. Proterra's number for this recall is SC-19-79.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Check Valve19V402000
Filed May 30, 2019147 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Catalyst buses. The vehicles are equipped with swivel valves that may insufficiently protect the air brake system from an air leak between the service reservoir and the source of air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk. If the swivel valves are unable to protect the air brake system against loss of air pressure, this may lead to service brake failure and the possibility for the uncontrolled application of the safety brake. Either condition increases the risk of crash.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and will replace the swivel valve with a check valve that is sufficient to protect the air brake system, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Service Brakes19V283000
Filed Apr 9, 201939 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40 buses equipped with an optional tow fitting and airline that allows a tow truck to operate the rear brakes on the vehicle. The mesh cap covering the airline for the tow fitting can be clogged with road debris in inclement weather, possibly resulting in a build up of air pressure in the rear brake system.

Risk. A build up of air pressure can cause the brakes to drag and possibly overheat, increasing the risk of fire.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional shield to the tow fitting that protects the mesh cap, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Tires19V062000
Filed Jan 30, 2019310 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra Inc., (Proterra) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40 and 35 transit buses. The affected vehicles are equipped with a four point height control system that may cause a load imbalance, overloading the front tires.

Risk. An overloaded front tire may fail unexpectedly, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will convert the current four point ride height system into a three point system to prevent the front tires from being overloaded, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Service Brakes, Air › Supply › Reservoir/Tank19V061000
Filed Jan 29, 201955 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra Inc., (Proterra) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40 transit buses. The affected vehicles lack a Graham White air brake supply reservoir, possibly resulting in long term moisture build up in the air brake system. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121, "Air Brake Systems."

Risk. Built-up of moisture in the air brake system may lead to brake failure, increasing the risk of crash.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will install a supply reservoir with a drain between the air dryer and the air supply manifold, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 28, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Equipment › Other › Labels19V034000
Filed Jan 16, 2019184 vehiclesProterra Inc.

Defect. Proterra, Inc is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40, and Catalyst 35 buses. The certification label may list an incorrect gross front axle weight rating and/or incorrect tire pressures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

Risk. If the tire pressure is understated, an underinflated tire may result in an increased risk of tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy. Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification labels with correct information for all affected customers, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2021
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20220300Routine
20211500Routine
20200800Routine
20190900Routine
2018 — this page0900Routine
20170800Routine
20160600Routine
20150400Routine

Compare every Catalyst year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 30, 2022. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.