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2017 Proterra Catalyst Recalls, Complaints & Specs

8 safety recalls list the 2017 Proterra Catalyst. Check your own VIN below.

8
safety recalls
0
owner complaints to NHTSA

8 safety recalls for the 2017 Proterra Catalyst

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Traction battery (electrical system)

    NHTSA 22V887000 Reported 300 vehicles potentially affected Proterra Operating Company, Inc.

    Proterra Operation Company, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Catalyst transit buses. One or more battery packs may allow liquid to leak into and accumulate in the battery pack enclosure.

    Remedy: Proterra will update software, inspect, and replace the battery pack, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed November 6, 2023. Owners may contact Proterra's customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

  2. Gear box (other than rack and pinion) (steering)

    NHTSA 22V114000 Reported 724 vehicles potentially affected Proterra, Inc.

    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…

    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…

  3. Check valve (service brakes)

    NHTSA 19V402000 Reported 147 vehicles potentially affected Proterra Inc.

    Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Catalyst buses. The vehicles are equipped with swivel valves that may insufficiently protect the air brake system from an air leak between the service reservoir and the source of air pressure. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…

    Remedy: Proterra will notify owners, and will replace the swivel valve with a check valve that is sufficient to protect the air brake system, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer…

  4. Service brakes

    NHTSA 19V283000 Reported 39 vehicles potentially affected Proterra Inc.

    Proterra, Inc. (Proterra) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40 buses equipped with an optional tow fitting and airline that allows a tow truck to operate the rear brakes on the vehicle. The mesh cap covering the airline for the tow fitting can be clogged with road debris in inclement weather, possibly resulting in a build up of…

    Remedy: Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will install an additional shield to the tow fitting that protects the mesh cap, free of charge. The recall began June 4, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at…

  5. Tires and suspension: front

    NHTSA 19V062000 Reported 310 vehicles potentially affected Proterra Inc.

    Proterra Inc., (Proterra) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40 and 35 transit buses. The affected vehicles are equipped with a four point height control system that may cause a load imbalance, overloading the front tires.

    Remedy: Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will convert the current four point ride height system into a three point system to prevent the front tires from being overloaded, free of charge. The recall began March 26,…

  6. Reservoir/tank (service brakes)

    NHTSA 19V061000 Reported 55 vehicles potentially affected Proterra Inc.

    Proterra Inc., (Proterra) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40 transit buses. The affected vehicles lack a Graham White air brake supply reservoir, possibly resulting in long term moisture build up in the air brake system. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 121,…

    Remedy: Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will install a supply reservoir with a drain between the air dryer and the air supply manifold, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 28, 2019. Owners may…

  7. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 19V034000 Reported 184 vehicles potentially affected Proterra Inc.

    Proterra, Inc is recalling certain 2015-2018 Catalyst 40, and Catalyst 35 buses. The certification label may list an incorrect gross front axle weight rating and/or incorrect tire pressures. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."

    Remedy: Proterra will notify owners, and dealers will replace the certification labels with correct information for all affected customers, free of charge. The recall began March 12, 2019. Owners may contact Proterra customer…

  8. Caliper (service brakes)

    NHTSA 18V750000 Reported 62 vehicles potentially affected Proterra

    Proterra is recalling certain 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst 40 transit buses equipped with axles with radial air disk brakes. Surface roughness of a guide pin in the radial brake calipers may cause the brake carriage guide pin support bolt to break.

    Remedy: Proterra will notify owners and have them replace the calipers on the affected axles, free of charge. Owners may contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.

No owner complaints on file

NHTSA has no owner complaints on file for the 2017 Proterra Catalyst. For context, the average model year in NHTSA's database has dozens; a zero can mean a reliable vehicle, a rare one, or both.

Compare Proterra Catalyst model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Proterra Catalyst model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2015 Proterra Catalyst40
2016 Proterra Catalyst60
2017 Proterra Catalyst80
2018 Proterra Catalyst90
2019 Proterra Catalyst90
2020 Proterra Catalyst80
2021 Proterra Catalyst51
2022 Proterra Catalyst30

Checking a specific 2017 Proterra Catalyst

How do I know if my 2017 Proterra Catalyst has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 8 campaigns currently list the 2017 Proterra Catalyst; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Proterra dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 18V750000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Proterra models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.