How the price estimate was built
What it shows: Our default range is $1,417 to $3,342; 2 of 2 published ranges overlap it.
What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($2,068)MiddleHigher-cost states ($2,634)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $2,634 and AR the lowest at $2,068, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 50,000-100,000 (41%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 50,000: 16% against 60%.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 6-9 years (51%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 3 years old: 10% against 40%.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
1,459 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
Which trouble codes do owners report?
P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold leads at 64.
Trouble codes owners quote in complaints about this part. P0420 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold: 64; P0430 Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold: 23.
The code owners quote most is P0420. Read your own code from a scan and give the shop the exact code, not only "the light is on".
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 1,459 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say engine damage followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Engine damage: 71 (5%); Loss of power: 40 (3%); Stalled while driving: 6 (0%).
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as engine damage.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 1,459 owner complaints naming this part, oxygen sensor is named in 6% of them, more than any other part.
| Other part | Complaints naming both | Share of this part's complaints |
|---|---|---|
| oxygen sensor | 81 | 6% |
| spark plug | 85 | 6% |
| exhaust pipe | 69 | 5% |
| fuel injector | 75 | 5% |
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 42 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $2,709 or less; one in ten wrote more than $6,000.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 46%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 1,459 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 88, followed by Fire reported at 30; the smallest shown is Crash reported at 6.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 1,459 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2016 is the largest at 402 (28%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 3 (0%).
Is this repair covered by an emissions warranty?
Federal rules require carmakers to cover the catalytic converter, the emissions computer and the onboard diagnostic system for 8 years or 80,000 miles, and any part whose failure fails an emissions test for 2 years or 24,000 miles; California requires 3 years or 50,000 miles on every emission part.
| Warranty | Covers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| California, all emission parts | All emissions-related parts | 3 years or 50,000 miles |
| California, high-cost parts | Specific high-cost emission parts listed in the owner manual | 7 years or 70,000 miles |
| Federal, basic | Any part that causes an emissions failure | 2 years or 24,000 miles |
| Federal, extended | Catalytic converters, electronic emissions control unit (ECU), onboard emissions diagnostic device or computer (OBD) | 8 years or 80,000 miles |
Which engine sizes show up most in complaints about this part?
Among 1,441 owner complaints about this part where the VIN identifies the vehicle, 52% involve engines of 1.6 to 2.0 L, against 24% of complaints about all the parts we track.
What it shows: 1.6 to 2.0 L is the largest at 52%, followed by 2.1 to 3.0 L at 18%; the smallest shown is over 5.0 L at 4%.
What do emissions repairs cost?
Among 46,033 California vehicles repaired to pass a Smog Check in 2025, 39.1% cost over $650 to fix and the average bill was $757.
What it shows: Over $650 is the largest at 39.1%, followed by $1 to $100 at 13.1%; the smallest shown is $501 to $650 at 8.4%.
Do catalytic converter replacement problems track on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents across states?
A weak hint, not a firm finding: across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about catalytic converter replacement run higher where on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents (epa nei 2020); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents (epa nei 2020).
What it shows: States with more on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents (epa nei 2020) tend to sit higher on the chart across 33 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents (Oklahoma, Oregon, Kansas, Missouri, Alabama, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Wisconsin, South Carolina): reports of this repair run 23% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 7 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, Maryland, Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, Florida, Virginia): 1% below, and 5 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Oklahoma, Arkansas and Tennessee are among the highest in on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents but report below expected; Illinois (28% above expected) and Delaware (88% above expected) are among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents runs 1% above what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 10% above, and the third with the most 20% above. It steps up steadily.
- For on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 4. The on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents pattern leans on New York: without it, it weakens.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar share of residents living in non-metro counties and the pattern keeps about 0% of its strength, so part of it may come from share of residents living in non-metro counties instead of on-road nitrogen oxide emissions, tons per year per 1,000 residents.
Where the on-road fleet puts out more nitrogen oxide per resident, emission-control parts are working harder and the places are more likely to enforce emission rules.
If my car fails smog, how much of this repair must I pay, and does California help?
California caps required Smog Check repair spending at $650 through a repair cost waiver and its Consumer Assistance Program pays up to $1,450 of repairs for qualifying owners of 1996 and newer cars, so on a typical $2,380 catalytic converter replacement the program would pay $1,450 and the owner $930.
| Rule | Amount | What it means at $2,380 |
|---|---|---|
| CAP repair assistance, model year 1976 to 1995 | up to $1,100 | you pay 20% up to $1,375 of repairs, then everything above $1,100 |
| CAP repair assistance, model year 1996 or newer | up to $1,450 | On a catalytic converter replacement at $2,380 the program pays $1,450 and you pay $930 |
| CAP vehicle retirement | up to $2,000 | paid instead of repair when you retire the car |
| Repair cost waiver line (every Smog Check failure) | $650 | A catalytic converter replacement at $2,380 is $1,730 over the line |
| Roadside re-failure within a year, model years 2000 to 2006 | 17% after passing, 35% after failing first | 7,886 cars checked in CY 2017-2018 |
Can I install any aftermarket catalytic converter, or only an approved one?
California allows an aftermarket catalytic converter to be sold and installed only with a CARB executive order, and CARB's lists show 355 order numbers granted from 2008 to 2026 and 52 rescinded or withdrawn, so a converter must match both the car and a current order.
| What CARB publishes | Count or rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| A converter sold after its order was rescinded | not legal to use or install in California | CARB rescinded list (PDF) |
| Executive orders listed under the 2009 rules | 355 order numbers, dated 2008 to 2026 | CARB exemption list (PDF) |
| Legal to sell and install in California | only with a CARB executive order (an exemption from the anti-tampering law) | CARB, Aftermarket Catalytic Converters |
| Orders rescinded or withdrawn | 52 order numbers (list last revised 06/02/20) | CARB rescinded list (PDF) |
How much of a repair bill is labor and how much is parts?
In the 2017 Economic Census, exhaust system repair shops took 50.6% of their repair revenue from labor charges and 49.4% from parts installed, close to the 51.0% labor share of all auto repair shops (U.S. Census Bureau, national, 1,585 shops).
| Shop type (NAICS) | Labor charges | Parts installed | All revenue of the shop type | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive repair and maintenance (all shop types) | 51.0% | 49.0% | $115.3 billion | 162,185 |
| Automotive exhaust system repair | 50.6% | 49.4% | $0.6 billion | 1,585 |
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 50.6% | 49.4% | $43.0 billion | 41,542 |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 50.4% | 49.6% | $54.9 billion | 92,088 |
After a failed emissions test, who can repair it, and what do repairs cost?
Maryland lists 135 certified emissions repair facilities and New Jersey 332, while Texas inspectors logged about 21,000 emissions repairs costing $3.7 million across its two inspection areas in 2024 and 2025, with a median repair cost of $25 to $299 by category after dropping zero and over-$2,000 entries.
| Program | What the public record shows | Count or figure |
|---|---|---|
| Maryland certified emissions repair facilities | 13 counties; most in Baltimore 31, Montgomery 24, Anne Arundel 17 | 135 facilities |
| New Jersey emission repair facilities | 218 also run private inspections | 332 facilities |
| Texas program evaluation, repair records | repairs logged by inspectors, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas, 2024 and 2025 | about 21,000 repairs, $3.7 million |
| Texas repair cost per repair (median and mean ranges) | by repair category, after dropping zero entries and costs above $2,000 | median $25 to $299, mean $82 to $415 |
| Texas repair records logged at zero cost | inspectors enter the cost by hand; the report warns of entry errors | 68.1% of records |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 4 foreign recall campaigns that name catalytic converter with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Jaguar Land Rover North America in 2021-04.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-07 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) | 139 | 573.6(c)(3) Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 95 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: Certain vehicles were manufactured with an exhaust pipe that had one catalyzer stamp covering two catalytic converters whereas the regulatory intent was to have a. |
| 2021-04 | Jaguar Land Rover | 085 | Sincerely, jacob azria digitally signed by jacob azria date: 2021.04.08 11:29:45 -04'00' jacob azria jaguar land rover north america, llc attachment -1- attachment global recall process report of field action manufacturer jaguar land rover limited type of. |
| 2019-03 | Mercedes-Benz | 067 | Sandy Springs, GA, 30328 Phone: (770) 705-0600 Fax: (770) 705-0117 MBUSA.com Mercedes-Benz are a registered trademarks of Daimler AG, Stuttgart, Germany March 20, 2019 Jeff Giuseppe Page 2 Description of Issue DAG, the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles. |
| 2019-01 | Hyundai Motor America | 002 | During installation of the engine, the front right-hand brake tube could have been routed incorrectly making direct contact with the catalytic converter cover. |
Does my county fall under federal smog rules or breathe unhealthy air?
EPA's Green Book lists 203 counties as currently nonattainment for ozone or fine particles, home to 39.6% of U.S. residents; the shares run highest in DC, NJ and CA (100.0%, 100.0%, 94.9%).
| State | Share of residents | Nonattainment counties |
|---|---|---|
| DC | 100.0% | 1 |
| NJ | 100.0% | 21 |
| CA | 94.9% | 38 |
| MD | 88.4% | 12 |
| DE | 81.6% | 2 |
| UT | 79.4% | 7 |
| NV | 73.0% | 1 |
| IL | 71.7% | 11 |
| AZ | 68.5% | 3 |
| CO | 68.0% | 9 |
| Median state | 0.0% |
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for parts matched to a catalytic converter replacement since model year 2015, covering about 413,329 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a catalytic converter replacement since model year 2015 | 3 recall campaigns covering about 413,329 vehicles |
Which emission standard was my car certified to?
EPA's certification records show 100.0% of model year 2014 light-duty carlines certified to the older Tier 2 exhaust standard and 79.1% of model year 2026 carlines certified to Tier 3 Bin 50 or cleaner, so the catalytic converter and sensors a car needs depend on its model year (one count per carline, not per car sold).
| Model year | Tier 2 (older standard) | Tier 3 Bin 70 to 160 | Tier 3 Bin 20 to 50 (cleaner) | Tier 3 Bin 0 (zero emission) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 100.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2016 | 95.6% | 3.1% | 1.2% | 0.1% |
| 2018 | 3.1% | 82.4% | 12.8% | 1.8% |
| 2020 | 2.4% | 69.8% | 24.7% | 3.1% |
| 2022 | 0.2% | 53.2% | 38.3% | 8.3% |
| 2024 | 0.3% | 34.5% | 43.5% | 21.7% |
| 2026 | 0.1% | 20.7% | 48.1% | 31.0% |
How often does this part fail a real inspection, by car age?
In 2,102,125 New Jersey initial inspections in 2025, 14.3% of cars aged 16+ years failed the emissions test against 2.8% of cars under 3 years, about 5 times as often (record counts, not a sample).
What it shows: 16+ is the largest at 14.3%, followed by <3 at 2.8%; the smallest shown is 3-4 at 2.6%.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-120 | KIA Soul 2015–2016 | 378,967 | Piston damage may result in an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V-636 | Alfa Romeo Giulia 2017–2018; Alfa Romeo Stelvio 2018 | 34,357 | Heat damage to the engine compartment wiring or components can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V-294 | BMW X7 2023; BMW XM 2023 | 5 | A loose connection between the exhaust system and catalytic converter increases the risk of a fire. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | X5 2026 | B180126 | Aug 14, 2026 | An exhaust gas sealing ring between thelower catalytic converter and upper catalyticconverter may be missing (1). |
| Jeep | Patriot 2015–2016; Compass 2015–2016 | U67 Combo Rev11 | Jun 18, 2026 | Emissions recall U67 - catalytic converter efficiency - dealer notification (revision. |
| Chevrolet | Silverado 1500 2019 | N262548050 | Apr 23, 2026 | Certain vehicles, may have a condition that could cause the Catalytic Converter to fail. |
| KIA | Soul 2015–2016 | SC176Y_TSB_R1 | Mar 24, 2026 | Technical service bulletin: Subsequent repair action: Catalytic converter replacement and engine inspection/REPLACEMENT (SC176Y) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. |
| Subaru | WRX 2017; Forester 2017 | SubaruNet Announcement | Aug 4, 2025 | This announcement is in regard to WRA-25 recalled catalytic converters require additional handling prior to return. |
| Ford | Explorer 2020 | 24M01 S2 | Jun 3, 2025 | 2020 model year explorer and explorer police interceptor - utility equipped with a 3.3L engine replace front catalytic converters if required and inspect wire harness for runs rough/misfire. |
58 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (5)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | Compass 2023–2025 | Nov 5, 2025 | 11-003 | Catalytic converter blockage causing limp. |
| Chevrolet | Express 2019 | Jul 27, 2023 | N232404810 | Catalytic converter left inlet pipe. |
| Volkswagen | Touareg 2013–2014 | Dec 3, 2018 | VWP-18 | Catalytic converter support bracket. |
| Chevrolet | Equinox 2010–2011 | Dec 22, 2017 | GCUS-9-2602 | Catalytic converter thermal damage or face. |
| GMC | Terrain 2010–2011 | Dec 22, 2017 | GCUS-9-2602 | Catalytic converter thermal damage or face. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Per Nissan warranty process, "Warranty repairs will be made at no charge for parts and/or labor, including diagnosis and tax." Now they say the catalytic converter is damaged and needs to be replaced with costs in excess of $15,000.
Dealer stated that I needed a Catalytic converter and NOX Sensor cost $2800 The land keep assist, lane departure warning and front facing camera are all inoperative.
I had to replaced the catalytic converter with the Hyundia dealership, which cost me $2600.
Catalytic converter needed to be replaced at 98,914 miles in my 2016 2.0 L ( Cost me $3,144.78 since out of warranty).
Check your car
A catalytic converter replacement runs $1,417–$3,342 in our estimate: one OEM main catalyst, 1.0–1.5 hours of labor at $120/hr. The part grade, the number of converters and the kind of vehicle move that range far more than the shop's hourly rate does.
What does the estimate cover, and what does it leave out?
It covers one main catalyst, the part, and 1.0–1.5 hours of labor. It leaves out new oxygen sensors, exhaust pipe or flange repairs, and the diagnostic fee. Our estimate also carries a reminder to check the federal 8-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty first, because a covered converter costs you nothing.
Ask the shop to list the converter, any sensors and any pipe work as separate lines so you can see which are optional.
How much do part grade, converter count and shop type change the price?
Part grade moves the price most. Converter count comes next, and the shop's hourly rate matters least.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Aftermarket, EPA compliant | $754–$1,683 |
| Aftermarket, CARB compliant | $1,003–$2,305 |
| OEM (default) | $1,417–$3,342 |
| 2 converters (both banks) | $2,754–$6,563 |
| Pre-catalyst / front pipe | $1,518–$3,543 |
| Main plus pre-cat | $1,719–$3,844 |
| Independent shop (~$100/hr) | $1,384–$3,291 |
| Dealership (~$175/hr) | $1,509–$3,481 |
The CARB row matters if you live in California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington or another CARB state, where an EPA-only part may fail inspection. Check which standard your car was certified to before you buy.
Is a failed converter or a bad sensor the problem?
A P0420 or P0430 code means the converter's efficiency is below the threshold. It does not prove the converter is dead; an oxygen sensor or an exhaust leak can set the same code. A sluggish car, a rotten-egg smell or a rattle under the floor point more toward the converter itself.
Ask the shop what test showed the converter, not the sensor, has failed. A converter that dies early usually has a cause upstream, such as a misfire or burning oil, and a new part will fail the same way if that stays unfixed.
How urgent is it?
Don't sit on the warning light. Owners told NHTSA about engine damage and lost power after converter trouble (see the owner reports above), so book the diagnosis this week. Ask the shop to read the stored code and the sensor data before any part is ordered.
How do I get a fair quote?
Ask each shop for the part grade, the number of converters and the labor hours in writing. Then enter those same choices in the calculator above and compare.
Frequently asked questions
Is an aftermarket converter worth it?
Often yes outside CARB states: the EPA-compliant estimate is $754–$1,683, against OEM at the default. Check that it meets your state's standard first.
Does a dealership cost much more?
Not for this job. The dealership estimate is $1,509–$3,481 against $1,384–$3,291 at an independent shop, because the part dominates.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, 40 CFR 85.2103, and the California Air Resources Board warranty fact sheet file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA owner complaint files with VINs decoded by NHTSA vPIC data from 2025
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair, Smog Check Executive Summary Report 2025 data from 2025
- EPA 2020 National Emissions Inventory, on-road, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- California Bureau of Automotive Repair: Smog Check Reference Guide, Consumer Assistance Program repair assistance page, and 2019 Smog Check Performance Report data from 2025
- California Air Resources Board: Aftermarket Catalytic Converters; exemption and rescinded executive order lists data from 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 Economic Census, Other Services, revenue from labor charges and parts installed (EC1781LABOR) file downloaded 2017 data, published 2021
- Maryland Department of the Environment (opendata.maryland.gov 7gas-4kz4), State of New Jersey open data (9qpt-bnm4), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Evaluation of the Texas Vehicle Emissions Inspection and Maintenance Program (2026) data from 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- EPA Green Book, Currently and previously designated nonattainment areas by county; county population from the 2020 Census file downloaded 2026-09 (EPA export 2026-09-30)
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- U.S. EPA, Annual Certification Data for Vehicles, light-duty vehicle models 2014-present (exhaust standard of every certified carline) file downloaded 2026-10
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection Data file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against 2 established price guides on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 0% below the middle of RepairPal's range ($2,280–$2,480). Methodology