Recall 23V697 covers 238 2019-2022 Proterra Catalyst and ZX5 buses for inverter overheating. Repair will be free at any franchised Proterra dealer once available.
Proterra is recalling 238 2019-2022 Catalyst and ZX5 transit buses because a transistor inside the inverter can overheat and fail, causing loss of power steering or drive power. That failure increases crash risk, and the Proterra dealer repair will be free once Proterra makes it available.
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What's wrong?
The PP250 inverter on 2019-2022 Proterra Catalyst and ZX5 transit buses is part of the 800V ProDrive 1.0 electric drive system. It converts battery power into controlled electrical power for the traction motor, and it supports systems that depend on stable drive power.
Inside the inverter, an IGBT is a high-power transistor that handles heavy electrical loads and creates heat while it works. These inverters were built with defective thermal paste, the material that helps move heat away from the transistor and into the cooling surface. When that paste does not transfer heat properly, the transistor overheats and fails. A failed inverter can cause loss of power steering and drive power.
Before failure, warning lights appear on the driver's dash display when abnormal temperature or an erratic rise in temperature is detected in or around the IGBT. Operators can use Proterra diagnostic tools or telemetry systems to read the related codes and remove the bus from service for inspection.
Who's affected?
Covers both Catalyst and ZX5 buses across 2019-2022, tied to the same inverter in the electrical system.
| 2020 Proterra Catalyst | electrical system |
|---|---|
| 2019 Proterra Catalyst | electrical system |
| 2020 Proterra ZX5 | electrical system |
| 2021 Proterra ZX5 | electrical system |
| 2021 Proterra Catalyst | electrical system |
| 2022 Proterra ZX5 | electrical system |
| 2019 Proterra ZX5 | electrical system |
| 2022 Proterra Catalyst | electrical system |
| Units affected | 238 |
| 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 this recall applies to your specific bus.
What's the safety risk?
Loss of power steering or drive power increases the risk of a crash. If a warning light appears in the dash display, take the vehicle out of service and have the inverter inspected. Repair will be free at any franchised Proterra dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2022 Proterra Catalyst or ZX5 is included in this recall.
- Call Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000 for the current repair timing and interim driving guidance.
- Ask when Proterra will open the free inverter replacement that fixes the overheating transistor tied to power-steering and drive-power loss.
- Reference recall number 23V697 when you call Proterra or speak with a franchised Proterra dealer.
- Avoid regular service if the bus shows steering-assist loss or drive-power loss, and get repair guidance before moving it.
What happens at the repair
The final dealer repair is still under development. Once Proterra opens it, a Proterra technician will replace the inverter, with parts and labor covered under the recall. The repair focuses on replacing the inverter rather than adjusting the transistor inside it. If your fleet already paid for an inverter repair tied to this recall, Proterra's General Reimbursement Plan covers affected owners. Bring repair invoices or other documentation to Proterra customer service when requesting reimbursement.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 17, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| November 7, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| November 7, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| December 16, 2024 | Owner notification mailed |
| March 31, 2025 | Dealer notification ended |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V697?
Recall 23V697 covers 238 2019-2022 Proterra Catalyst and ZX5 800V transit buses equipped with ProDrive 1.0. A transistor inside the inverter can overheat and fail, causing loss of power steering or drive power. Proterra dealers will replace the inverter for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2022 Proterra Catalyst or ZX5 is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific bus is included in recall 23V697. If it is, contact a Proterra dealer or Proterra customer service at 1-864-438-0000 and reference recall 23V697. Ask when the inverter replacement is available. The repair is free once it opens.
Is the Proterra recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. For recall 23V697, Proterra dealers will replace the affected inverter free of charge once the repair is available for your specific bus.
What is the safety risk in recall 23V697?
The risk is loss of power steering or drive power. Proterra reported that an inverter transistor can overheat and fail, which increases crash risk. If a bus shows loss of steering assist or drive power, remove it from service and contact Proterra for repair guidance.
When were owners notified about recall 23V697?
Proterra mailed owner notification letters on December 16, 2023. If you manage or operate a 2019-2022 Catalyst or ZX5 bus and never received a letter, check your VIN and reference recall 23V697 when contacting Proterra or a Proterra dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V697000 |
|---|---|
| Proterra customer service | 1-864-438-0000 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V697 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V697000 |
Source documents
-
Download Quarterly Report (PDF) - Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- 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 →