NHTSA vehicle safety data
2021 Proterra Catalyst Recalls & Complaints
The 2021 Proterra Catalyst has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1 owner complaint on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Proterra dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2021 Proterra Catalyst. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
2021 Proterra Catalyst owner complaints
Owners have filed 1 complaint with NHTSA about the 2021 Proterra Catalyst, describing incidents dated January 2, 2024.
Most-cited components
- Electrical System 1 complaint
Newest complaints
ODI #11616330 · Filed
The contact called on behalf of the University that owns several 2021 Proterra Catalyst Transit Bus. The University received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V697000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was…
Radiator Fan Electrical Circuit May Overheat
NHTSA #24V655000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported September 6, 2024 · Phoenix Motorcars
Potentially affected: 483 vehicles
Repair completion: 49.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Manufacturer campaign SC-24-009 · Owners notified October 15, 2024 · Vehicles built December 14, 2019 – November 8, 2021 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
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.
Inverter May Fail Causing Loss of Power
NHTSA #23V697000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice
Reported October 17, 2023 · Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
Potentially affected: 238 vehicles
Repair completion: 8.82% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified December 16, 2024
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.
Windshield Wiper Motor May Fail
NHTSA #23V078000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Motor · NHTSA notice
Reported February 13, 2023 · Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
Potentially affected: 252 vehicles
Repair completion: 32.54% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Owners notified April 3, 2023
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 Can Unintentionally Engage
NHTSA #22V855000 · Parking Brake · NHTSA notice
Reported November 18, 2022 · Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
Potentially affected: 386 vehicles
Repair completion: 88.08% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Proterra campaign SC-22-158 · Owners notified December 21, 2022
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 Gearbox May Loosen
NHTSA #22V114000 · Steering — Gear Box (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION) · NHTSA notice
Reported February 28, 2022 · Proterra, Inc.
Potentially affected: 724 vehicles
Repair completion: 84.81% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)
Proterra campaign SC-22-040 · Owners notified October 7, 2022
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.
Other Proterra Catalyst model years
Check your 2021 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.
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