- 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
2021 Proterra Catalyst Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1 complaint about the 2021 Proterra Catalyst with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system (1). It is covered by 5 recalls, the latest in September 2024 for the electrical system. For comparison, the 2020 has 0 and the 2022 has 0.
NHTSA data checked
CAbout as many problems as a typical Catalyst year, for its age
#371 most complained-about 2021 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 2021 Proterra Catalyst problems
Share of all 1 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2021 Proterra Catalyst recalls 5
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.
What owners say
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1 complaints about the 2021 Proterra Catalyst
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
The contact called on behalf of the University that owns several 2021 Proterra Catalyst Transit Bus. The University received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V697000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact stated that there...
Read the full complaint
was an unstated electrical failure with one of the buses, rendering the bus inoperable. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that there were seven additional buses included in the fleet. The failure mileage was 15,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Proterra Catalyst: every year compared
All Catalyst yearsQuestions about the 2021 Proterra Catalyst
Does the 2021 Proterra Catalyst have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 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.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Proterra Catalyst?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the electrical system (1).
How many complaints has the 2021 Proterra Catalyst had?
1 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on September 25, 2024 and the latest on September 25, 2024. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 2021 Proterra Catalyst a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 48 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as 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 2021 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