Fault Code Lookup › Powertrain codes › P0420

P0420 Powertrain · generic OBD-II

Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold

P0420 is a standard code covering engine, transmission, fuel and emissions. It names the system that logged the fault, not the part that failed. Below: which cars owners reported it on, what happened, and recalls on those cars, from 95 complaints filed with NHTSA. Updated November 3, 2026.

  • 95owner reports
  • 37car models
  • 1mention a crash
  • 0mention a fire
  • 2012–2022model years

Which cars get code P0420?

Every model whose owners mentioned P0420 in a complaint, most reports first. Each year opens that car's full problem report. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Where does P0420 show up?

By brand

  • Ford34
  • Chevrolet33
  • Dodge8
  • Jeep7
  • GMC6
  • Chrysler5
  • BMW1
  • Volkswagen1

Component the owner filed it under

  1. Engine56 (58.9%)
  2. Fuel/Propulsion System32 (33.7%)
  3. Power Train21 (22.1%)
  4. Electrical System15 (15.8%)
  5. Engine And Engine Cooling8 (8.4%)
  6. Electronic Stability Control (ESC)3 (3.2%)

Is there a recall for P0420?

The others concern the component owners file this code under (Engine) on the same cars; they may or may not relate to the code. Recall repairs are free; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2021-2023 Corsair, and 2022-2023 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines that were repaired incorrectly under recall 23V380. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine… NHTSA campaign 25V345000 · May 23, 2025 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, and Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles equipped with a 6.2L V8 gas engine. The connecting rod and/or crankshaft engine components may have manufacturing… NHTSA campaign 25V274000 · April 24, 2025 · Affected cars

2021 Chevrolet Silverado, 2022 Chevrolet Tahoe. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Cooling System: Pump BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive, 328xi Gran Turismo, 2013-2017 X3 sDrive28i, X3 xDrive28i, 2015-2018 X4 xDrive28i… NHTSA campaign 24V608000 · August 13, 2024 · Affected cars

2015 BMW 3 Series. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Oil/Lubrication: Pump Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Ford Focus and 2018-2022 Ford EcoSport vehicles. The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. NHTSA campaign 23V905000 · December 22, 2023 · Affected cars

2016 Ford Focus, 2017 Ford Focus, 2018 Ford Ecosport. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Escape, 2022-2023 Maverick, and 2021-2023 Corsair vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources… NHTSA campaign 23V380000 · May 26, 2023 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape, 2021-2022 Lincoln Corsair, and 2022 Maverick vehicles equipped with 2.5L HEV or PHEV engines. In the event of an engine failure, engine oil and fuel vapor may be released into the engine compartment and accumulate near ignition sources… NHTSA campaign 22V484000 · July 7, 2022 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine And Engine Cooling: Engine: Oil/Lubrication Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Escape and 2021-2022 Bronco Sport vehicles equipped with 1.5L engines. The engine oil separator housing may crack and develop an oil leak. NHTSA campaign 22V191000 · March 25, 2022 · Affected cars

2020 Ford Escape. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

Engine General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Chevrolet Silverado 4500, 5500 and 6500 vehicles and 2017-2019 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and 3500 vehicles and GMC Sierra 2500 and 3500 vehicles equipped with Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engines and an optional engine-block heater. The engine block… NHTSA campaign 19V328000 · April 25, 2019 · Affected cars

2019 GMC Sierra. Full risk and remedy on each car's report.

What happened when owners saw P0420?

10 of the 95 reports, spread across the models above, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.

The vehicle is subject to NHTSA Safety Recall Campaign 18V-735 (Ford Recall 18S32) regarding a defective Canister Purge Valve (CPV) that causes fuel vapor saturation, excessive fuel tank vacuum, fuel tank deformation, and engine stalling.The vehicle presented with an active check engine light for diagnostic trouble code P0420 (Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold). Ford technical service instructions under Recall 18S32 explicitly link code P0420 to a stuck-open CPV dumping unmetered fuel vapors into the exhaust stream. The franchised dealership initially performed only a software calibration without replacing the mechanical valve.Upon return, the dealership confirmed the defect and…
2016 Ford FocusPower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11770880 · Oct 13, 2026
The welding that holds the exhaust together has failed. They offer a Special Warranty to cover only the passenger side, however it has failed and exhaust is super loud. Also reading 4 codes from check engine alert. All are P0420 (cat convertor). The smell of exhaust and cat convertor is super disgusting
2021 Chevrolet TraverseEngineNHTSA complaint 11757809 · Aug 18, 2026
Keep having the engine light on. First time it was my Catalyst and now my engine light is on again with code P0420 and keeps leaving from the coolant
2016 Chevrolet CruzeEngine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11506601 · Feb 10, 2023
I own a 2018 Dodge Journey Crossroad V6. I am submitting this complaint because I have experienced multiple serious and recurring problems with the vehicle. The vehicle has had multiple transmission repairs/replacements. I have spent a significant amount of money addressing transmission problems, yet I continue to have major mechanical issues with the vehicle. The vehicle is also experiencing catalytic-converter/emissions-system problems. The check-engine light is on and the vehicle has produced diagnostic trouble codes P0420 and P0430, indicating catalyst-system efficiency problems affecting both banks. I am concerned about the reliability and safety of continuing to operate the vehicle…
2018 Dodge JourneyBack Over PreventionNHTSA complaint 11769027 · Oct 5, 2026
Where to begin. I bought the vehicle brand new with 29 miles on it in April of 2017, January of 2019 I started having issues. My check engine light kept coming on and it affected my gas mileage and speed. I had stopped at a chevy dealership in Forest Lake Minnesota and had them scan the vehicle to see what was going on and made an appointment to bring it back in for a full diagnostics. I get there and they asked me if I had another vehicle with me because it would take about a week of it being there. First off, I hadn't agreed to anything yet, I still did not even know what was wrong with it yet. They ended up doing what they said was a full diagnostic on the vehicle (which cost me almost…
2017 Chevrolet TraxPower Train, Electrical System, EngineNHTSA complaint 11637572 · Jan 22, 2025
Brought my 2020 Ford F150 2.7L EcoBoost in for mandatory emissions recall 24E12. Vehicle had zero dashboard lights or performance issues prior. Immediately upon completion of the PCM flash, the check engine light activated. When the truck was scanned I am now receiving a P0420 and P0430 catalytic converter efficiency codes. The dealership is now requiring $6000 for replacement of qty 2 catalytic converters caused by the recall parameters. This is a predatory compliance software update designed to shift manufacturing component failures onto the consumer after the 80k mile warranty window (truck has 105k). I have filed a complaint with Ford and asked for a P01 Financial Review for…
2020 Ford F-150EngineNHTSA complaint 11766891 · Sep 25, 2026
Car uses excessive amount of oil! We have had the timing replaced and now it’s stating the P0420 catalyst system efficiency below threshold bank 1.
2015 Chevrolet EquinoxEngineNHTSA complaint 11725242 · Mar 18, 2026
Statement for NHTSA Subject: Safety Complaint – 2021 Chevrolet Silverado Unexpected Jerking/Harsh Transmission Engagement I am submitting this complaint regarding my 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 2.7L Turbo with approximately 128,000 miles. My vehicle has developed a recurring problem involving harsh/jerking transmission engagement, hesitation, shuddering and abnormal shifting. The truck can jerk when engaging or changing gears and has also experienced a hard engagement when shifting from Reverse into Drive. During normal driving, the vehicle can hesitate or feel as though it is repeatedly fluttering/shifting instead of providing smooth and predictable acceleration. The vehicle has produced…
2021 Chevrolet SilveradoStructure, EngineNHTSA complaint 11763481 · Sep 10, 2026
Intermittently my van will lose power, all dash lights will pop up, active parksense unavailable, service required , blind spot alert temporarily unavailable , service shifter, fcw unavailable service required, service electronic stability control will pop up on the dash and in the message center. Code p0420 has popped up on a reader. Several trips to the dealership purchased at, and they cannot figure out the issues. I have 2 kids, this is a major safety concern. I had it shutdown on a highway 3 weeks ago with my 9 month old in the van. Recall list says everything was repaired, but it seems there needs to be more recalls. These vans are not safe. Recall them all. Chrysler is going to end up…
2017 Chrysler PacificaElectrical System, Engine, Forward Collision AvoidanceNHTSA complaint 11615791 · Sep 21, 2024
The primary component that failed is the turbocharger system, which has malfunctioned five times since October 2024. Additional failures include the catalytic converter, and there is now suspected motor damage. These components are currently in possession of the dealership and are available for inspection upon request. The safety of myself and my children was repeatedly put at risk. The first turbocharger failure left us stranded in early morning traffic, with no engine power and limited ability to exit the roadway safely. Subsequent failures occurred within 24 hours of service completion. These breakdowns created dangerous roadside conditions, especially during high-traffic hours and in…
2020 Ford EscapePower Train, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion SystemNHTSA complaint 11688277 · Sep 19, 2025

P0420: questions drivers ask

What does code P0420 mean?

P0420 is a generic OBD-II powertrain code. Its standard definition is "Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold". The code tells you which system set the fault, not which part failed; the owner reports on this page show what it meant in practice for 37 car models.

Which cars get code P0420 most often?

In NHTSA owner complaints, P0420 is mentioned most for the Ford Focus (18), Chevrolet Traverse (8), Chevrolet Cruze (7), across 37 models and model years 2012 to 2022. Popular models collect more reports because more of them are on the road.

Is there a recall for code P0420?

No NHTSA recall text names P0420 directly. 8 recalls on the cars that report this code concern the same component owners name most (Engine); they may or may not relate to the code. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What should I do if my car shows P0420?

Write down when the code appeared and what the car did (warning lights, loss of power, noises, speed, weather). Check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls, ask a dealer or independent workshop to read the stored freeze-frame data before anyone clears the code, and keep the repair order. If the car loses power in traffic, stop driving it. CarHooq does not diagnose: these are owner reports and official recall notices, not repair advice.

How this page was made

CarHooq read the text of every owner complaint filed with NHTSA for 19 US and European brands (model years 2012 onwards) and picked out the diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote down. This page lists every mention of P0420. The definition is the generic SAE J2012 wording; a carmaker may use the code slightly differently. Nothing here is a diagnosis. Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (public domain), retrieved November 3, 2026. How CarHooq reports are made.

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