The worst 2020 Proterra Catalyst problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
Recalls 8
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 24V655000 · Recall details
Electrical system
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 23V697000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 23V078000 · Recall details
Parking brake
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 22V855000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 22V114000 · Recall details
Electrical system: software
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 21V268000 · Recall details
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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 contact Proterra customer service at 1‑864‑438‑0000. Proterra's number for this recall is SC-20-154.
Recall number 20V664000 · Recall details
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 20V621000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Proterra Catalyst 110
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Repair instructions for PP1 valve to prevent the parking brake from engaging while the vehicle is kneeling...
- Software update for the 800vRRs Vehicle and Body Software to reduce the radiator fan current draw to 80%....
- The procedure describes the process of updating the Customer CAN Gateway to improve data retrieval on...
- This procedure adds improved caps to the coolant system for 800V buses.
- This procedure describes the process for updating the 800VvRR DuoPower Vehicle, Powertrain, Body...
- This procedure describes the process for updating the 800VRR Prodrive Vehicle, Powertrain, Body...
- Service Bulletin for Transit Vehicles to reduce the gearboxes PMI interval due to failing filters.
- Repair instruction to inspect heavy duty transit vehicles for humidity in the battery pack and perform...
- This procedure describes the process for updating the Vehicle and Body Controller software to the latest...
- Bulletin instructions for rotating the ambient temp sensor 180deg on transit buses to reduce road debris...
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Questions about the 2020 Proterra Catalyst
Is the 2020 Proterra Catalyst reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2020 Proterra Catalyst.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Proterra Catalyst?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2020 Proterra Catalyst have?
8 recalls, covering electrical system, visibility and parking brake.
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