Proterra Transit Buses Recalled for Inverter Power Loss Risk
Proterra is recalling 2019-2022 ZX5 and Catalyst 800V transit buses due to inverter transistor overheating risk. A transistor failure can cause loss of power steering and drive power, increasing crash risk.
What this means for you
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.
Our severity reasoning: This is a structural vehicle defect affecting critical power systems (inverter transistor failure). Loss of power steering and drive power on a transit bus presents significant crash risk, meeting the Severe criterion despite no reported injuries or deaths.
Plain-English summary
Proterra Operating Company, Inc. is recalling certain 2019-2022 ZX5 and Catalyst 800V transit buses equipped with ProDrive 1.0 inverters. A transistor inside the inverter may overheat and fail, resulting in loss of power steering and drive power.
Loss of power steering and drive power increases the risk of a crash. The recall affects 238 transit buses total, including both 40-foot and 35-foot models spanning model years 2019 through 2022.
Owners should contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000 to arrange free inverter replacement. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2023. For more information, 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
- PROTERRA ZX5, CATALYST
- Brand
- PROTERRA
- Manufacturer
- Proterra Operating Company, Inc.
- Category
- Vehicle — Transit Bus
- Affected units
- 238
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.
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