How many recalls does the 2020 Proterra Catalyst have?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2020 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 2020 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 2020 Proterra Catalyst.

Are recall repairs on a 2020 Proterra Catalyst free?

Usually. Federal law requires Proterra to remedy recalls on the 2020 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 2020 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 2020 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 2020 Proterra Catalyst?

No owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA on the 2020 Proterra Catalyst.

NHTSA vehicle safety data

2020 Proterra Catalyst Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2020 Proterra Catalyst has 8 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 2020 Proterra Catalyst. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA #24V655000

Reported September 6, 2024 · Phoenix Motorcars

Potentially affected: 483 vehicles

Defect description

Phoenix Motorcars (Phoenix) is recalling certain 2019-2021 800V Catalyst and 2020-2022 ZX5 transit buses. The vehicle controller software may allow the electrical circuit for the radiator fan to overheat.

Safety consequence

Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will update the vehicle software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 15, 2024. Owners may contact Phoenix customer service at 1-909-987-0815.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NHTSA #23V697000

Reported October 17, 2023 · Proterra Operating Company, Inc.

Potentially affected: 238 vehicles

Defect description

Proterra Operating Company, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2019-2022 40' and 35' Catalyst 800V transit buses equipped with ProDrive 1.0, and 40' and 35' ZX5 800V transit buses equipped with ProDrive 1.0. A transistor inside the inverter may overheat and fail, which can result in a loss of power steering and drive power.

Safety consequence

A loss of power steering and/or drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2023. 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.nhtsa.gov.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

NHTSA #23V078000

Reported February 13, 2023 · Proterra Operating Company, Inc.

Potentially affected: 252 vehicles

Defect description

Proterra Operating Company, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2020-2022 35" Catalyst, 35" ZX5, and 40" ZX5 vehicles. The windshield wiper motors may operate intermittently or may fail to operate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

Safety consequence

Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the wiper motors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 3, 2023. 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.nhtsa.gov.

PARKING BRAKE

NHTSA #22V855000

Reported November 18, 2022 · Proterra Operating Company, Inc.

Potentially affected: 386 vehicles

Defect description

Proterra Operating Company, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Catalyst and 2019-2022 ZX5 transit buses. Back pressure in the shared air exhaust for the pneumatic ride height system and parking brake control valve may engage the parking brake while the vehicle is in motion.

Safety consequence

Unintentional engagement of the parking brake increases the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Proterra will install a redesigned air circuit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 21, 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.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

NHTSA #21V268000

Reported April 19, 2021 · Proterra, Inc.

Potentially affected: 12 vehicles

Defect description

Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Catalyst 40 foot buses. A software defect in the body controller that operates the door motor may allow the rear door to open unexpectedly.

Safety consequence

The rear door may open without the driver's awareness, increasing the risk of injury.

Manufacturer remedy

Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 11, 2021. 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.

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

NHTSA #20V664000

Reported October 28, 2020 · Proterra Inc.

Potentially affected: 5 vehicles

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

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.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

NHTSA #20V621000

Reported October 7, 2020 · Proterra Inc.

Potentially affected: 8 vehicles

Defect description

Proterra Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Battery-Electric 40' Catalyst and 2020 Battery-Electric 35' Catalyst buses. The power steering hose located at the pump and reservoir may leak and sweat fluid through the hose.

Safety consequence

A power steering fluid leak can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the power steering hose, free of charge. The recall began October 6, 2020. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000. Proterra's number for this recall is SC-20-141.

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 2020 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