The worst 2019 Proterra ZX5 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 3
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
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2019 Proterra ZX5 65
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Software update for the 800vRRs Vehicle and Body Software to reduce the radiator fan current draw to 80%....
- Relocation of the air compressors intake as well as adding a preliminary filter at the top of the air intake.
- This procedure describes the process for updating the 800VvRR DuoPower 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...
- Bulletin instructions for rotating the ambient temp sensor 180deg on transit buses to reduce road debris...
- Replaces DuoPower Drive Motor when a failure occurs on the streetside electric motor.
- The procedure describes the process of replacing the overhead bracket and brackets between hat bracket...
- The procedure describes the process of updating the gearboxes from a dual turn to a single turn snap ring...
- This procedure describes the process for updating the 800V DuoPower Body, Vehicle and Powertrain...
Compare the 2019 Proterra ZX5
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Questions about the 2019 Proterra ZX5
Is the 2019 Proterra ZX5 reliable?
Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2019 Proterra ZX5.
What is the most common problem with the 2019 Proterra ZX5?
There are not enough complaints to tell.
How many recalls does the 2019 Proterra ZX5 have?
3 recalls, covering electrical system, parking brake and steering.
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