Top Makes and Models with DTC P0420

Code P0420—Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) is a drivable condition but requires near-term repairs to avoid engine damage and other problems. Toyota, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan, and Subaru models have the highest number of P0420-related incidents, but other vehicles are vulnerable

David Goldberg
August 14, 2024

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Top 10 Most Affected Makes

Rank	Make	Low	Moderate	High
1	Toyota	N/A	Highlander, RAV4, Tundra, Sequoia, Avalon	Corolla, Camry, Prius, Sienna, Tacoma, 4Runner
2	Ford	F-350	Escape, Fiesta, Expedition, F-250, Mustang, Explorer, Ranger	F-150, Edge, Focus, Fusion, Taurus
3	Chevrolet	Cobalt, Avalanche, Colorado, Tahoe, Silverado 2500, Trailblazer	Cruze, Sonic, Suburban	Equinox, Silverado 1500, Impala, Traverse, Camaro, Malibu
4	Nissan	N/A	Murano, Xterra, Maxima, Titan	Altima, Pathfinder, Sentra, Frontier, Versa, Rogue
5	Subaru	N/A	Legacy	Forester, Impreza, Outback
6	Dodge	Durango, Dakota	Charger, Ram 150	Grand Caravan
7	GMC	N/A	Terrain, Sierra, Envoy, Yukon	Acadia
8	Honda	N/A	N/A	Pilot
9	Chrysler	N/A	Town & Country	N/A
10	Audi	N/A	A4	N/A

Code P0420-related issues impact vehicles from a wide array of manufacturers—SUVs, trucks, and passenger cars are all vulnerable. FIXD sensor data reveal that vehicles most likely to experience a P0420 code are:

Below is an expanded look at how a P0420 code impacts numerous makes and models. This breakdown covers occurrence rates by model year (2000-2023) and separates the frequency into low, moderate, or high levels. The worst of the worst are the nine vehicles listed above.

What is the P0420 Code?

A mechanic using an OBD2 Scanner to fix a car — *This AI-generated image may not accurately represent all aspects of the intended subjects whether a person or object.*

A P0420: Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) code usually indicates a catalytic converter has lost its ability to effectively reduce harmful pollutants from engine Bank 1 emissions. While a failing catalytic converter is the most common culprit, the code can also be triggered by exhaust system leaks, spark plug problems, or malfunctioning oxygen sensors.

Read the complete article on P0420 Engine Code | Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1) to discover the trouble areas to consider. This resource also offers tips on diagnosing the problem and what a DIYer can do to tackle a P0420 code independently (and when not to).

Top Models for P0420 Codes

Here’s a look at the makes and models most likely to have P0420 codes, according to FIXD sensor data. The absence of a model year ranking indicates no P0420 code was detected among the analyzed years, insufficient data, or the model wasn’t in production.

Acura MDX

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Acura MDX	2000, 2001, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022	2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008	2007

Audi A4

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Audi A4	2001, 2002, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2014	2005, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013

BMW

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
BMW 325i	2006	N/A	N/A
BMW X5	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019	2006, 2007, 2009, 2010	2008

Buick

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Buick Enclave	2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	N/A	2009, 2010, 2011
Buick LaCrosse	2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017	2007, 2008, 2009	2010
Buick LeSabre	2000, 2001, 2002	2004	2003, 2005

Cadillac

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Cadillac Escalade	2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016	2003, 2004, 2009	2007, 2008
Cadillac CTS	2003, 2011, 2012, 2014	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009	2010
Cadillac DeVille	2002	2000, 2001, 2003, 2005	2004
Cadillac SRX	2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016	2009, 2010	2006, 2011
Cadillac STS	2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011	2006	2005

Chevrolet

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Chevrolet Avalanche	2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013	N/A	2007, 2008
Chevrolet Camaro	2000, 2001, 2002, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2010	2011
Chevrolet Cobalt	2005, 2008	2007, 2009, 2010	2006
Chevrolet Colorado	2014, 2015, 2017, 2019	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2018	2008
Chevrolet Cruze	2008, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2011, 2012, 2013, 2015	2014
Chevrolet Equinox	2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2010, 2012, 2013, 2014	2011
Chevrolet Impala	2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2003, 2008, 2015	2006, 2013
Chevrolet Malibu	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2007, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015	2009
Chevrolet Silverado 1500	2000, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	2001, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2014	2003, 2004
Chevrolet Silverado 2500	2001, 2004	N/A	N/A
Chevrolet Sonic	2012, 2018, 2019, 2020	2014, 2016, 2017	2013, 2015
Chevrolet Suburban	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022	2007, 2009, 2016, 2017	2015
Chevrolet Tahoe	2001, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2019	2005, 2007, 2008, 2016	2003, 2004, 2015
Chevrolet Trailblazer	2004, 2005, 2006	N/A	2002, 2003
Chevrolet Traverse	2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2010	2009, 2011

Chrysler

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Chrysler Town & Country	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2016	2008, 2012, 2013, 2014	2010

Dodge

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Dodge Charger	2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016	2006, 2007
Dodge Dakota	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011	2004	2005, 2006
Dodge Durango	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2013	2012
Dodge Grand Caravan	2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2002, 2007	2003
Dodge Ram 1500^	2000, 2001	2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010	2004, 2005

Ford

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Ford Edge	2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2014	2013
Ford Escape	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022	2010, 2013, 2014, 2015	2011
Ford Expedition	2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020	2006, 2008, 2010, 2012	2003, 2005, 2007, 2017
Ford Explorer	2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021	2014	2013
Ford F-150	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2004, 2009, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016	2005, 2006, 2007, 2012, 2013
Ford F-250	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2020, 2021	2006, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019	2008
Ford F-350	2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2008, 2012, 2017	2014
Ford Fiesta	2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2012, 2013, 2014, 2015	2011
Ford Focus	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019	2009, 2013, 2016	2012
Ford Fusion	2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	2014	2013, 2015, 2016
Ford Mustang	2000, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2018, 2019, 2021	2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016	2014, 2017, 2020
Ford Ranger	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2019, 2020, 2021	2004, 2011	2006
Ford Taurus	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018	2014	2013

GMC

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
GMC Acadia	2007, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020	2009, 2010	2011
GMC Envoy	2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009	2004	2002
GMC Sierra	2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021	2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015	2008, 2014
GMC Terrain	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	2010, 2012, 2013, 2014	2011
GMC Yukon	2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018	2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2015	2004

Honda

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Honda Pilot	2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2010	2009, 2011

Infiniti

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Infiniti G35	2003	2004, 2006, 2008	2005, 2007

Jeep

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Jeep Grand Cherokee	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020	2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2015	2005, 2012
Jeep Liberty	2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013	2003, 2005, 2006, 2007	2004
Jeep Wrangler	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015	2007, 2008

Kia

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Kia Rondo	2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016	N/A	2007

Lexus IS

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Lexus IS 250	2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015	N/A	2007

Lincoln

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Lincoln Navigator	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021	2005, 2007, 2013	2017

Mercury Mountaineer

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Mercury Mountaineer	2002, 2005, 2007, 2008	2003	2006

Nissan

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Nissan Altima	2000, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014	2003, 2004
Nissan Frontier	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018	2005, 2008, 2012	2006
Nissan Maxima	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 2014,	2006
Nissan Murano	2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018	2010	2009
Nissan Pathfinder	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018	2005, 2006, 2008, 2011	2013, 2014
Nissan Rogue	2008, 2009, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2010, 2015	2011, 2012, 2013
Nissan Sentra	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2009, 2011, 2012	2008, 2010, 2014
Nissan Titan	2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2021	2005	2006
Nissan Versa	2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013	2007, 2012
Nissan Xterra	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015	2007, 2011, 2012	2005, 2008

Pontiac

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Pontiac G6	2005, 2010	2009	2006, 2007, 2008
Pontiac Grand Prix	2000, 2002, 2003,	2001	2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008

Ram

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Ram 1500^	2010, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2011, 2014, 2015, 2016	2012, 2013

Scion

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Scion tC	2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016	2006, 2007, 2008	2005

Subaru

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Subaru Forester	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2006, 2007, 2011, 2012	2009, 2010
Subaru Impreza	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2006, 2007, 2012, 2014	2008, 2009, 2010, 2013
Subaru Legacy	2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019	2008, 2009, 2010	2013
Subaru Outback	2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021	2004, 2007, 2010	2012

Toyota

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Toyota 4Runner	2003, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2020	2001, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008	2005
Toyota Avalon	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2021	N/A	2007
Toyota Camry	2000, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2001, 2004, 2005, 2009	2002, 2003, 2007
Toyota Corolla	2000, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2001, 2004, 2006, 2007	2003, 2005
Toyota Highlander	2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020	2004, 2007	2005, 2006
Toyota Prius	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2018	2008, 2011	2007
Toyota RAV4	2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021	2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2015	2005, 2008
Toyota Sequoia	2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016	2002, 2004, 2005	2001, 2003, 2006
Toyota Sienna	2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2021	2004, 2005, 2009	2006
Toyota Tacoma	2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2001, 2002, 2010	2005, 2006
Toyota Tundra	2001, 2002, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021	2003, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008	2006

Volkswagen

Make + Model	Low	Moderate	High
Volkswagen CC	2011, 2012, 2013, 2015	2009	2010
Volkswagen Jetta	2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2002, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015	2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
Volkswagen Passat	2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	2004, 2005, 2006, 2012, 2014, 2015	2007
Volkswagen Tiguan	2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018	N/A	2011

^ Beginning with the 2010 model year, Ram was spun off from Dodge and became a separate brand. Ram-branded trucks are often referred to as Dodges, although this is technically not correct

Source:

Data was collected from installed FIXD sensors in vehicles from the 2000-2023 model years.

David Goldberg

Dave Goldberg is an automotive journalist and lifelong car fanatic. He writes for numerous enthusiast and business outlets and is an ongoing contributor to HotCars.com, one of the most popular car culture websites. When he’s not writing or driving, Dave is either under a hood or asleep. His credentials include a BA in Journalism from The George Washington University.

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