Recall 18V750 affects 62 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst buses for brake caliper guide pin bolt breakage. Repair is free at any franchised Proterra dealer.
Proterra is recalling 62 2016-2017 Catalyst transit buses because surface roughness on a radial brake caliper guide pin can cause the brake carriage guide pin support bolt to break. That failure can cause loss of braking ability or tire pressure, which increases crash risk; Proterra dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst uses air disc brake calipers on the affected axles. A brake caliper holds the brake pads and presses them against the rotor when the driver brakes. The guide pin helps the caliper carriage slide smoothly so the pads apply and release evenly.
On these buses, the guide pin surface is too rough because of a supplier change at Knorr-Bremse. That rough surface reduces sliding at the caliper pin bearing. The bearing can stick, chatter, or seize, which puts extra load on the brake carriage guide pin support bolt. Under that load, the bolt can break and brake function can drop.
Before brake function decreases, the driver can hear excessive noise during braking. That noise is the warning sign to report when calling the Proterra dealer or service provider.
Who's affected?
Covers Catalyst buses from two model years, with both years tied to the same brake system component.
| 2017 Proterra Catalyst | brake system |
|---|---|
| 2016 Proterra Catalyst | brake system |
| Units affected | 62 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included.
What's the safety risk?
Guide pin breakage can cause loss of braking ability or tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash. Excessive noise during braking is the warning sign before decreased brake function, so treat new brake noise as a reason to schedule the repair soon and call Proterra. Repair is free at any franchised Proterra dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Proterra dealer to schedule the free brake-caliper replacement that addresses the guide-pin bolt breakage behind the braking and tire-pressure risk.
- Bring the recall notice if Proterra mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V750 when you call.
- Limit bus operation until the repair is complete and leave extra stopping distance.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Proterra technician replaces the radial air disk brake calipers on the affected axles. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. The replacement addresses the guide pin surface issue that can break the brake carriage guide pin support bolt. Proterra has a general reimbursement plan on file for this campaign, so documented out-of-pocket caliper or brake repairs tied to this recall can be submitted through Proterra customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 23, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| October 23, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 11, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V750?
Recall 18V750 covers 62 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst transit buses equipped with radial air disc brake axles. A rough guide pin surface in the brake caliper can break the guide pin support bolt, causing loss of braking ability or tire pressure. Proterra will replace the affected calipers for free.
What should I do if my 2016-2017 Proterra Catalyst is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 18V750. If it is, contact Proterra or a Proterra service location to arrange the caliper replacement on the affected axles. Reference recall number 18V750 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Proterra's remedy for recall 18V750 is replacement of the calipers on the affected axles free of charge. Owners can contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000.
What is the safety risk in recall 18V750?
The safety risk is reduced braking or tire pressure loss. Recall 18V750 states that breakage of the brake carriage guide pin support bolt can cause loss of braking ability or loss of tire pressure, increasing crash risk. Confirm the VIN and arrange the free caliper replacement.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V750000 |
|---|---|
| Proterra customer service | 1-864-438-0000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V750 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V750000 |
Source documents
-
Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF) - Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →