How many recalls does the 2016 Proterra Catalyst have?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2016 Proterra Catalyst as of October 16, 2026. Each includes the defect description, safety consequence, and the remedy Proterra will perform. New recalls can be issued at any time; this page is refreshed from NHTSA daily.

How do I tell if my 2016 Proterra Catalyst is affected by a recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN — stamped at the base of the windshield on the driver side and on the door jamb sticker — at nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's VIN lookup shows whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall; the list on this page covers every campaign for the 2016 Proterra Catalyst.

Are recall repairs on a 2016 Proterra Catalyst free?

Usually. Federal law requires Proterra to remedy recalls on the 2016 Catalyst free of charge at an authorized Proterra dealer, regardless of how many owners the vehicle has had or how many miles are on the odometer — unless it was first sold more than 15 years before the recall was issued (5 years for tires).

Does a recall on the 2016 Proterra Catalyst affect resale value?

An open recall can reduce resale value; a recall that has been repaired (documented in the vehicle history report) generally does not. Before you buy or sell a used 2016 Proterra Catalyst, check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm every recall has been remedied.

How many owner complaints are on file for the 2016 Proterra Catalyst?

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA on the 2016 Proterra Catalyst.

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2016 Proterra Catalyst Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2016 Proterra Catalyst has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 0 owner complaints on file as of October 16, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Proterra dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2016 Proterra Catalyst. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

NHTSA #22V114000

Reported February 28, 2022 · Proterra, Inc.

Potentially affected: 724 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.nhtsa.gov.

SERVICE BRAKES

NHTSA #19V283000

Reported April 9, 2019 · Proterra Inc.

Potentially affected: 39 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

TIRES

NHTSA #19V062000

Reported January 30, 2019 · Proterra Inc.

Potentially affected: 310 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:SUPPLY:RESERVOIR/TANK

NHTSA #19V061000

Reported January 29, 2019 · Proterra Inc.

Potentially affected: 55 vehicles

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

NHTSA #19V034000

Reported January 16, 2019 · Proterra Inc.

Potentially affected: 184 vehicles

Defect description

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."

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:CALIPER

NHTSA #18V750000

Reported October 23, 2018 · Proterra

Potentially affected: 62 vehicles

Defect description

Proterra is recalling certain 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst 40 transit buses equipped with axles with radial air disk brakes. Surface roughness of a guide pin in the radial brake calipers may cause the brake carriage guide pin support bolt to break.

Safety consequence

Breakage of the guide pin can cause loss of braking ability or loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Proterra will notify owners and have them replace the calipers on the affected axles, free of charge. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

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.

Other Proterra Catalyst model years

Check your 2016 Proterra Catalyst VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Proterra Catalyst at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Proterra VIN