RoadVitals

2016 Proterra Catalyst

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
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Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
6
Latest Feb 28, 2022
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
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Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
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Overview

Our database contains no NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Proterra Catalyst. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 15 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Safety recalls

6 campaigns cover this model year

View all 6

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
22V114000

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

Feb 28, 2022
724 units potentially affected
The 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 secure the steering gearbox to loosen.
The risk: A loose steering gearbox can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Proterra, Inc.Manufacturer number SC-22-040View on NHTSA.gov
19V283000

SERVICE BRAKES

Apr 9, 2019
39 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A build up of air pressure can cause the brakes to drag and possibly overheat, increasing the risk of fire.
The 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.
Proterra Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
19V062000

SUSPENSION:FRONT; TIRES

Jan 30, 2019
310 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An overloaded front tire may fail unexpectedly, increasing the risk of crash.
The 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.
Proterra Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

No owner complaints recorded for this model year

Either none have been filed with NHTSA, or this vehicle is too new for reports to have accumulated.

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

FC-23-006

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Repair instructions for the telemetry system on the heavy duty transit buses if the system is not reporting.

SC-22-155

STRUCTURE:BODY

Repair instructions for transit buses that are not TPI bodies to replace the gearbox fasteners with locking fasteners.

SC-20-076

STRUCTURE:BODY

Transit bus repair to the electrical cabinet behind the drivers area. This bulletin updates the bracketry to be more robust in this area.

SC-22-097

STRUCTURE:BODY

Repair instructions for ADA ramp brackets that have come debonded due to water intrusion.

SC-21-042

SERVICE BRAKES

Transit bus update to the air in take of the air compressor to support the compressor getting clean air into the unit to increase reliability.

FC-22-046

STEERING

Transit bus quality check on bus bodies not produced by TPI. Inspecting the steering gear bolts to ensure torque strips are intact.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Proterra Catalyst by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2022030—
2021150—
2020080—
2019091—
2018091—
2017081—
2016Viewing060—
2015040—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.