Catalytic Converter

A lot of us Classic owners have had the P0420 code, dead catalytic converter. We also had our jaws drop when we took it in to Toyota and were quoted $1200 for the part alone, with most of us then deciding to not make the repair....

Here's the scoop on it.

- The Prius has two catalytic converters. Only one of them, however, is monitored by the computer. This is the one closest to the engine.

- Toyota does not sell either catalytic converter separately for the Classic. Thus, when the catalytic converter goes out, Toyota replaces the entire exhaust assembly. This includes both catalytic converters, the resonator, the muffler, and all of the piping from the engine to the rear. This is why they charge so much for the part. (Though really they are still charging too much considering how they love to double or triple the labor hours).

- The 2nd catalytic converter is not replaceable with universal or 3rd party catalytic converters, but since it isn't monitored by the computer anyway, who cares?

- The 1st converter is replaceable with a universal catalytic converter, which means you can take it to any shop you want and get rid of that pesky P0420 code at a reasonable price.

On another note, other Toyota models that were manufactured in the same era as the Classic had a lot of P0420 codes, and the fix wasn't the converter, but the oxygen sensor. However, in my case, I am confident that it was the converter itself as I could smell exhaust on cold days.