- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Electrical circuits that overheat increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
2020 Proterra Catalyst Problems, complaints & recalls
No owner complaints about the 2020 Proterra Catalyst have been filed with NHTSA. It is covered by 8 recalls, the latest in September 2024 for the electrical system.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Catalyst year, for its age
- Complaints
- 0
- Recalls
- 8
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
2020 Proterra Catalyst recalls 8
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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."
- The risk
- Inoperative windshield wipers can reduce visibility in certain driving conditions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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 fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The rear door may open without the driver's awareness, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The fix
- 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.
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A power steering fluid leak can increase the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners say
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No complaints about the 2020 Proterra Catalyst yet
No owner has filed a complaint about this vehicle with NHTSA. If yours has a problem, share it here and report it to NHTSA.
Proterra Catalyst: every year compared
All Catalyst yearsQuestions about the 2020 Proterra Catalyst
Does the 2020 Proterra Catalyst have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2020 Proterra Catalyst: electrical system (September 2024); electrical system (October 2023); motor (February 2023); parking brake (November 2022) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
How many complaints has the 2020 Proterra Catalyst had?
None have been filed with NHTSA so far.
Is the 2020 Proterra Catalyst a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 39 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Proterra Catalyst year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
What should I do if my 2020 Proterra Catalyst has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data