Cost to Replace a Catalytic Converter

What is a catalytic converter?

A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system that “cleans” exhaust by converting harmful emissions into safer ones before being released. Without it, your car would emit far more pollutants and fail its annual inspection.

Types of catalytic converters

There are three types of catalytic converters currently on the road today:

• Two-way catalytic converters: These older converters work to break down two types of emissions — hydrocarbons (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO). After passing through the converter, these get released as carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
• Three-way catalytic converters: Newer cars feature these components, which deal with nitrogen oxide (NO) in addition to HC and CO. After going through the conversion process, these get released as CO2, H2O, nitrogen (N2) and oxygen (O2).
• Diesel oxidation catalysts (DOC): Like two-ways, converters for diesel engines break down HC and CO. They can process NO — but not quite as effectively as three-way converters can.

How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?

According to RepairPal data, the average replacement cost for a catalytic converter ranges from $936 (for a 2019 Ford F-150) to $5,460 (for a 2019 Dodge Charger).

This aligns with the results of our most recent study, which showed a range of $933 to $4,414. We received estimates from five different mechanics across the country — the estimates below are based on three different car models.

Of our sample vehicles, the Honda Civic, which is generally affordable in terms of repair and maintenance, had by far the highest catalytic converter replacement costs. Meanwhile, the BMW 740i had the lowest average parts cost but a much higher labor cost. The Ford F-150, one of the most popular vehicles in America, had the lowest average replacement costs by far.

How much does it cost to repair a catalytic converter?

When people talk about repairing a catalytic converter, they’re usually referring to the process of cleaning it, which can technically be done with $20 to $30 of cleaning supplies. However, most mechanics advise against even attempting to “repair” your cat yourself — and few are likely to take the job on.

“Cleaning a cat may seem like a good idea to save a few bucks, but most of the time it ends up costing about as much to replace it with a new one,” Jay Jindal of Jindal-Andre Automotive Services in Washington, D.C., explained. “Granted, some vehicles, like Toyota and Honda, have a much more expensive catalytic converter than brands like Ford. It’s best to weigh out the options.”

Even if you can improve your catalytic converter’s functions by cleaning it, it isn’t likely to save you much money in the long term. Most cats only get significantly dirty after many years (around 10 to 15, in most cases) of use, and they’re likely to need replacing soon after this point, if not at the same time. After you spend the time and money to clean your converter, it probably won’t be long until you need to fork over the money to replace it.

If there is damage to your catalytic converter beyond just clogging, then repair is generally not practical, and your cat should be replaced.

Plus, it’s hard to predict whether a cleaning will actually save you money since cat repairs are billed by the hour at local labor rates. Getting an estimate ahead of time is difficult because a shop doesn’t know how dirty your catalytic converter is until it’s out of your vehicle.

As a result, you may have to spend more money figuring out why your catalytic converter clogged up in the first place.

» MORE: Most expensive car repairs

What if you have a warranty or insurance?

Under some circumstances, your insurance company or warranty provider may cover the cost of replacing your catalytic converter. Below, we’ve outlined two scenarios in which you may not have to pay as much — or at all — for a new cat.

• If your catalytic converter was stolen, you’ll want to check with your car insurance provider to see if you’re covered. Comprehensive car insurance should cover the cost of a catalytic converter replacement in this case. Just keep in mind that you may still need to pay your deductible, and some comprehensive policies come with high out-of-pocket costs.
• If your catalytic converter failed and your vehicle is under warranty, you may not need to pay to have it repaired or replaced. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mandates that automakers provide special warranties for emissions components, including catalytic converters. Under these warranties, major emissions components are covered for eight years or 80,000 miles, whichever happens first.

» MORE: Car warranty vs. car insurance

Extended warranty coverage

The catalytic converter is often covered under a vehicle’s factory warranty. That’s usually not the case for extended warranties.

If your vehicle hasn’t been maintained properly, your warranty coverage will likely be denied.

However, an extended warranty can still be helpful in the event of a failed catalytic converter. While these warranties don’t cover the parts themselves, many cover mechanical issues that result in catalytic converter failure.

For example, a blown head gasket can allow coolant to burn off in your engine, and that coolant can gunk up the catalytic converter. An extended warranty may not cover the cat, but it will help you fix that pesky leaking head gasket to stop the issue from recurring.

A reviewer from Ohio felt that their extended warranty was still worth it even after they had to pay out of pocket for their catalytic converter replacement: “After not receiving a discount on my catalytic converter failure, I was hesitant when my mechanic submitted the list of items that needed repaired on my Jeep. … CarShield covered items that I didn't expect them to cover, including the rental car, front and back brakes, water pump assembly with everything that was associated, and saved me thousands of dollars.”

» MORE: Best extended car warranties