The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·22V855000·Announced 2022-11-18

Proterra transit buses recalled for unintended parking brake engagement risk

Proterra is recalling 2019-2022 ZX5 and 2020-2021 Catalyst transit buses due to a defect that may cause the parking brake to engage while driving, increasing crash risk.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: This defect affects a critical vehicle safety system and increases crash risk, but no injuries or deaths have been reported. Per the rubric, this qualifies as a risk-of-harm product without reported injury, scoring High (3).

Plain-English summary

Proterra Operating Company, Inc. is recalling certain 2019-2022 Proterra ZX5 and 2020-2021 Proterra Catalyst transit buses. The recall affects 386 vehicles.

A defect in the pneumatic air circuit system can create back pressure in the shared air exhaust, which controls the ride height system and parking brake. This back pressure may cause the parking brake to engage unexpectedly while the bus is in motion, increasing the risk of a crash.

Owners have been notified and should contact Proterra's customer service at 1-864-438-0000 to schedule the free repair. Proterra will install a redesigned air circuit at no cost. For more information, owners can also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov.

The recalled product

Product
2021 PROTERRA ZX5
Brand
PROTERRA
Manufacturer
Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Transit Bus
Hazard
  • unintended-brake-engagement
  • crash-risk
Affected units
386

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (2)

  • ZX5
  • CATALYST

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same brand · PROTERRA

Same category