RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2021 Proterra Catalyst recalls
8 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2021 Proterra Catalyst with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 03
- U.S. recalls
- 05
- Total campaigns
- 08
Transport Canada recalls
03- Electrical#2024508
90 units affected
Issue: Under certain conditions, the connectors and wiring for the radiator fan could overheat and melt. Note: This problem could cause warnings to display on the instrument cluster. Safety Risk: Wiring that overheats and melts can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Phoenix Motor Inc. will notify owners by email and provide you with instructions for how to update the vehicle controller software.
- Visual System#2023204
22 units affected
Issue: On certain transit buses, the windshield wiper motor could fail. If this happens, the windshield wipers could suddenly stop working. Safety Risk: Windshield wipers that don't work could affect a driver's visibility and increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Proterra will notify owners by email and provide you with a new windshield wiper motor.
- Brakes#2022677
64 units affected
Issue: On certain buses, a check valve leak could cause air from the ride height system to apply the parking brake suddenly while driving. Note: This recall only affects buses built with a Parker ride height system. Safety Risk: A parking brake that self-applies while driving could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Proterra will notify owners by mail and provide a free remedy to separate the ride height exhaust line from the parking brake exhaust line.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
05- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM#24V655000
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.
Risk: 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
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.
Risk: 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:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR#23V078000
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."
Risk: 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
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.
Risk: 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:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)#22V114000
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.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2021 Proterra Catalyst VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.