RoadVitals

2019 Proterra ZX5

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.
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Latest Oct 17, 2023
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 2019 Proterra ZX5. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 65 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

3 campaigns cover this model year

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
23V697000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Oct 17, 2023
238 units potentially affected
The 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 drive power.
The risk: A loss of power steering and/or drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Proterra Operating Company, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov
22V855000

PARKING BRAKE

Nov 18, 2022
386 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: Unintentional engagement of the parking brake increases the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Proterra Operating Company, Inc.Manufacturer number SC-22-158View 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

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.

SC-24-009

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

Software update for the 800vRRs Vehicle and Body Software to reduce the radiator fan current draw to 80%. Additionally corrects a bug to properly route ESM faults away from the coolant light icon.

SC-23-054

SERVICE BRAKES; SUSPENSION

Relocation of the air compressors intake as well as adding a preliminary filter at the top of the air intake.

SC-23-136

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; POWER TRAIN

This procedure describes the process for updating the 800VvRR DuoPower Vehicle, Powertrain, Body Controller, ESM and Charge Controller software to BuSCoM 2.0.

IB-23-124

POWER TRAIN

Service Bulletin for Transit Vehicles to reduce the gearboxes PMI interval due to failing filters.

FC-23-003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Repair instruction to inspect heavy duty transit vehicles for humidity in the battery pack and perform preventative maintenance.

SC-22-044

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Bulletin instructions for rotating the ambient temp sensor 180deg on transit buses to reduce road debris from accumulating on the temp sensor.

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 ZX5 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2023000—
2022060—
2021060—
2020060—
2019Viewing030—
2016010—
2015010—

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.