Recall 22V887 covers 300 2017-2019 Proterra Catalyst transit buses for liquid buildup inside battery packs. Repair will be free at franchised Proterra dealers once available.
Proterra is recalling 300 2017-2019 Catalyst transit buses because one or more battery packs can let liquid leak into the battery pack enclosure. Liquid buildup inside the enclosure increases the risk of a fire, and the Proterra dealer repair will be free once the remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The traction battery pack on a 2017-2019 Proterra Catalyst transit bus stores the high-voltage power used by the electric propulsion system. Its enclosure is supposed to keep liquid out while the battery management system watches for fault codes and other signals. That sealed space matters because the pack has to stay dry while it powers the bus.
On affected buses, liquid can leak into the battery pack enclosure and collect there over time. Proterra identified the issue through fault codes and vehicle data, then said the root cause had not been identified. If enough liquid accumulates inside the enclosure, the pack can experience a thermal event, meaning a dangerous high-heat battery incident.
A driver is not expected to diagnose the battery pack by sight. The warning sign is a malfunction indicator lamp in the driver display when a battery fault is detected.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Catalyst model years, all using the same Battery Spine for the high-voltage traction battery.
| 2017 Proterra Catalyst | high-voltage traction battery |
|---|---|
| 2018 Proterra Catalyst | high-voltage traction battery |
| 2019 Proterra Catalyst | high-voltage traction battery |
| Units affected | 300 |
| 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?
Liquid inside the battery pack enclosure raises the risk of a fire. If the malfunction indicator lamp lights in the driver display, treat it as a battery fault warning and contact Proterra or the servicing dealer before continuing normal use. Repair will be free at any franchised Proterra dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2017-2019 Proterra Catalyst is included in this recall.
- Contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000 for repair timing, since the remedy status is still listed as under development.
- Ask Proterra when the free software update, inspection, and battery-pack replacement for the liquid-intrusion fire risk will be available for your bus.
- Keep the November 6, 2023 owner letter with your service records, or reference recall number 22V887 when you call.
- Follow Proterra's interim service instructions until the free repair is completed.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Proterra technician will update the battery software, inspect the battery pack enclosure, and replace the battery pack if inspection shows replacement is needed. The final dealer repair will be free once available. If you already paid for a related battery pack repair before the recall notice, Proterra's standard reimbursement plan covers eligible documented expenses. Keep your repair invoice and payment proof for the service desk or Proterra customer service.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| November 30, 2022 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| January 29, 2023 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| November 6, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 22V887?
Recall 22V887 covers 300 2017-2019 Proterra Catalyst transit buses with a traction battery defect. Liquid can leak into the battery pack enclosure and collect there, increasing the risk of a fire. Proterra will update software, inspect the battery pack, and replace it for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2017-2019 Proterra Catalyst is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 22V887. If it is, contact Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000 and ask for the software update, battery inspection, and any battery pack replacement required under the recall.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to fix the recall defect at no cost. Proterra will perform the software update, battery inspection, and battery pack replacement free of charge for included 2017-2019 Catalyst buses.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is fire. Proterra reported that liquid can leak into the traction battery pack enclosure and accumulate there, which increases the risk of a fire. Use the VIN check first, then contact Proterra customer service with recall 22V887.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/22V887000 |
|---|---|
| Proterra customer service | 1-864-438-0000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 22V887 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 22V887000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
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Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
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Download Recall Report (PDF)
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
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Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
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Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →