NHTSA opens recall query into 2017–2019 Proterra Catalyst: Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 22V887
On June 27, 2025, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ25001) into 2017–2019 Proterra Catalyst, concerning the electrical system. A Recall Query examines an earlier recall, for example whether its repair works or whether it covers every affected vehicle. As of NHTSA’s latest data it is still open.
- Action
- RQ25001 (Recall Query)
- Status
- Open
- Component
- Electrical System: Propulsion System: Traction Battery
- Listed
- 3 make/model/year entries in NHTSA’s file
Vehicles under investigation
| Make | Proterra |
|---|---|
| Model | Catalyst |
| Model years | 2017–2019 |
As listed in NHTSA’s investigation file. Not every vehicle of a listed model is necessarily affected.
What ODI says
In November 2022, Proterra Operating Company, Inc. (Proterra) filed a safety recall (NHTSA recall 22V887) covering nineteen 2017-2019 Proterra Catalyst transit buses to address the potential of liquid accumulation in the 400-volt battery packs, increasing the risk of a fire. On December 16, 2022, Proterra mailed an interim owner notification letter stating that Proterra would physically inspect and analyze each recalled battery pack. In October 2023, Proterra amended their filing to now cover 300 vehicles, with a final remedy plan of updating the battery monitoring software. According to the final remedy documents from Proterra, should liquid be detected within the battery pack, the updated software would illuminate a warning light in the driver's dash display, prevent the batteries from being charged, and reduce the maximum speed of the buses. As of the most recent recall completion rate report, 109 of the 300 buses (36.3%) have received the software update. In August 2023, Proterra declared bankruptcy, with its the three major business areas going to three separate companies. Phoenix Motorcars assumed liability for recall 22V887. On June 5, 2025, a fire occurred at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) decommissioning lot. Local officials stated that the fire initiated in a battery pack of one of the Proterra buses. The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to evaluate the remedy effectiveness of recall 22V887 and to further understand the effects of nearly two-thirds of the affected population having not yet received the recall remedy.
Official summary by NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation for RQ25001, quoted in full (U.S. government work, public domain).
What owners have reported
Owners filed 0 complaints with NHTSA about the model years in this investigation. These are all complaints on file for those vehicles, about any problem, not only this one; complaints are unverified owner reports.
| Vehicle | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Catalyst | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 Catalyst | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 Catalyst | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recalls and problems for these vehicles
Timeline
- ODI opens recall query RQ25001
- OpenNo closing date yet
What this means for owners
- An investigation is not a recall. NHTSA has not made a defect finding here, and owners are not asked to do anything yet. If a safety defect is confirmed, the manufacturer recalls the vehicles and the repair is free.
- Check your vehicle for open recalls with a free VIN recall check.
- Had this problem? File a complaint with NHTSA. Owner complaints are the evidence ODI uses to open and expand investigations.
Official record: search RQ25001 or your vehicle at NHTSA.gov/recalls, which lists investigations alongside recalls. Data: NHTSA ODI investigations file, updated daily. All NHTSA investigations.