2020 Proterra Catalyst Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2020 Proterra Catalyst has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 2,108 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 24V655000 2024-09-06 483 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23V697000 2023-10-17 238 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

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

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.

VISIBILITY 23V078000 2023-02-13 252 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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

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.

PARKING BRAKE 22V855000 2022-11-18 386 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

STEERING 22V114000 2022-02-28 724 affected
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…

Consequence

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 21V268000 2021-04-19 12 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

STEERING 20V664000 2020-10-28 5 affected
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.

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.

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…

STEERING 20V621000 2020-10-07 8 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

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

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.

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2020 Proterra Catalyst as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.