Recall 19V460 affects 21 2018-2019 Proterra Catalyst buses because the glass roof hatch can shatter onto passengers. Repair is free at Proterra.
Proterra is recalling 21 of its 2018-2019 Catalyst buses under recall 19V460 because the tempered glass roof hatch can shatter under temperature and vibration stress. Falling glass fragments can injure passengers, and Proterra dealers will replace the affected hatches free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The roof emergency escape hatch on the 2018-2019 Proterra Catalyst bus is a panel built into the ceiling that passengers and the driver use to get out if the main doors are blocked. On affected buses, that hatch uses an optional tempered glass panel supplied by Specialty Manufacturing under the Transpec name. The glass is meant to stay intact through years of road vibration and temperature swings, then break cleanly into small pieces only when the hatch is used in an emergency.
On the recalled hatches, the edge of the glass was not finished correctly during production. That unfinished edge leaves a weak point. As the bus heats up, cools down, and vibrates over normal routes, stress builds at the flaw and the tempered glass can shatter on its own while the bus is in service. Falling shards can land on passengers seated below the hatch and cause injury.
There is no warning sign before failure. The hatches in question carry part number T287X with a label date between August 1, 2018 and February 22, 2019.
Who's affected?
Covers the 2018 and 2019 model years of the Catalyst transit bus, all built between September 18, 2018 and June 5, 2019.
| 2018 Proterra Catalyst | body or structural component |
|---|---|
| 2019 Proterra Catalyst | body or structural component |
| Units affected | 21 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific bus is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
A shattered tempered glass roof hatch can drop glass fragments onto passengers and cause injury. There is no warning sign before the hatch fails, so schedule the repair soon and ask the dealer about interim guidance if the bus stays in service. Repair is free at any franchised Proterra dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018-2019 Proterra Catalyst bus is included in this recall.
- Contact Proterra to schedule the free replacement of the tempered glass roof hatch that can shatter and drop fragments onto passengers.
- Reference recall number 19V460 (Proterra recall SC-19-79) when you call so the service team can pull the correct parts.
- Keep passengers clear of the area directly under the roof hatch until the replacement hatch lid is installed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Proterra technician replaces the tempered glass roof hatch lid with a new unit supplied by the hatch manufacturer. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. If you previously paid out of pocket to replace a shattered roof hatch, Specialty Manufacturing will supply a replacement glass lid at no cost and reimburse up to $25 in labor costs. Bring your receipts and any related repair paperwork to the service desk so the claim can be processed. Contact Proterra at 1-864-438-0000 and reference recall number SC-19-79 to schedule the work.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| June 14, 2019 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| July 8, 2019 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| July 8, 2019 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| August 13, 2019 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 19V460?
Recall 19V460 covers 21 2018-2019 Proterra Catalyst buses equipped with a specific batch of glass roof hatches. Temperature and vibration stresses can cause the tempered glass to shatter, and falling glass fragments can injure passengers. The hatch manufacturer will provide replacement hatch lids free of charge.
What should I do if my 2018-2019 Proterra Catalyst is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 19V460. If it is, contact Proterra at 1-864-438-0000 to arrange the free hatch-lid replacement. Reference Proterra's internal recall number SC-19-79 when you call. The recall repair began August 13, 2019.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost to the owner. The glass hatch manufacturer will provide replacement hatch lids free of charge through Proterra, regardless of where the bus was originally purchased or how many owners it has had.
What is the safety risk of the Catalyst roof hatch defect?
If the tempered glass roof hatch shatters, glass fragments can fall onto passengers seated below, increasing the risk of injury. The shatter is driven by temperature and vibration stresses on the affected batch of hatches, so the risk is present during normal bus operation until the hatch lid is replaced.
What warning signs should I watch for before the roof hatch shatters?
The recall notice does not identify a specific warning sign before the hatch shatters. Operators and owners should treat the recall as the warning and schedule the free hatch-lid replacement with Proterra. Reference recall 19V460 or Proterra's number SC-19-79 when you call 1-864-438-0000.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/19V460000 |
|---|---|
| Proterra customer service | 1-864-438-0000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 19V460 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 19V460000 |
Source documents
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 →