Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost Calculator

The Kia Soul has more catalytic converter complaints than the next five models combined. Most are on 2015-2017 models, at a median of 105,000 miles. Soul owners who gave a figure reported a median of $1,500, which falls inside the calculator's default range.

Hyundai Tucson owners reported a median of $4,000, well above the calculator's default top figure of $1,995. One Tucson owner described the converter as an add-on to a job already underway: "Then we were called and told sorry you need a catalytic converter also additional $600."

The Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Traverse complaints cluster on 2018-2020 models at a median of 80,000 miles. Those model years can still fall inside the federal 8-year/80,000-mile emissions warranty that the calculator flags.

With two converters selected, the calculator gives $1,644–$3,918, compared with $846–$1,995 for one. A 2015 Kia Soul owner told NHTSA: "Has car towed to mechanic close by, they said both catalytic converter would have to be replaced $4,700." If your quote is near that figure, first confirm whether it covers one converter or two.

Changing the part type moves the estimate the most: an EPA aftermarket converter runs $450–$1,005 in the calculator, and a CARB-compliant one runs $599–$1,376. Where your state requires CARB parts, the EPA figure is not an option.

Owners named an oxygen sensor in 104 catalytic converter complaints, 55.1 times more often than expected by chance. That is the strongest pairing of any part. The exhaust pipe is next, at 17.2 times expected. Spark plugs and fuel injectors each appear in about 6% of complaints but with much weaker lift, which fits misfires that overheat the converter.

In practice, a converter quote that leaves out the sensor, or leaves a misfire unfixed, can lead to a second visit.

The median speed when a failure was reported was 45 mph, and parked incidents barely register at 1%. Loss of power was reported in 153 complaints and stalling while driving in 31. Only 7% of owners needed a tow, so most cars could still be driven to a shop.

Owners filed 38 fire reports, 12 crash reports and 28 injury reports. A 2015 Jeep Compass owner wrote: "I seen on the internet there was a recall on my Jeep make and model for catalytic converter problems...I just had to spend a little over $4,000 in repairs because my vehicle caught on fire."

Recall 18V636000 covers certain 2017-2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2018 Stelvio models with 2.0L engines, where misfires can overheat the catalytic converter and create a fire risk. BMW recall 23V294000 covers 2023 X7 M60i and XM models whose exhaust-to-converter fasteners may not have been tightened correctly.

GM special coverage bulletin N232404810 addresses fractures in the left inlet pipe of the catalytic converter on the 2019 Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana. Bulletin A232398131 is a voluntary emission campaign for the 2023 Chevrolet Trailblazer and Buick Encore GX with the 1.2L engine, which may have been built with the wrong converter part. Mercedes-Benz bulletin ELW-M278Catalyst extends warranty coverage for the converter system on certain SL550, E550 and CLS 550 models. If you own one of these models, run your VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup before you pay.

Nearly half of owners first noticed a warning light, and 23% reported stalling or loss of power. Another 18% said the dealer could not fix the problem or had to repeat the repair. Dealers were named in 1,015 complaints, compared with 213 for independent shops.

Engine damage came up in 176 reports, so a converter failure on these vehicles is often part of a larger engine problem rather than a standalone exhaust repair.