Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost

Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost

The average cost to replace a Toyota Prius catalytic converter is 1,800 to 2,000.

You may not know this if you own a Prius, but having your catalytic converter replaced is very expensive. At first you may not even realize you need a new one, until you crank up your car. Your normally quiet hybrid will gradually sound more and more like a large diesel engine the more you press the gas if your catalytic converter is malfunctioning or missing.

While the catalytic converter is not necessary to drive the car in the basic sense, it is necessary to control emissions. In a Prius must have a catalytic converter in California to pass the smog inspection. Since the car is a hybrid, it still uses some traditional fuel, which means standards emissions regulations. The catalytic converters helps to purify the exhaust of your vehicle and reduce pollution.

Catalytic converters can and do malfunction and once they do, you’re looking at a bill in the range of $2,000. That’s just for parts and labor to replace the converter, if there are any other underlying issues, you could be looking at thousands more. The fact is, most converters do not fail on their own. The failure is often caused by other issues in the engine and combustion chamber. Not only that, catalytic converters fetch a lot of money on the scrap market, making them a prime target for theft, especially from Prius cars.

How To Go About Getting A Replacement

Given the cost of a Toyota Prius catalytic converter replacement it is important to consider all your options and all the ways you might find a replacement. Here are a few of the options you have for finding a replacement catalytic converter:

• Finding a replacement part in a junk yard or scrap yard
• Using after market parts dealers and websites
• Ordering a converter directly from the manufacturer
• Check with your local dealership

The thing about catalytic converters is that even if you find a cheaper part, it still costs money to replace. This makes the option of getting an aftermarket or used part from a junkyard a bit risky. This leaves you with the option of going to the manufacturer, which is still pricey but may save you a bit of money over going to the dealership, though once you have the part you still need to find someone to install it or do the job yourself. Going with the dealership or a full fledged mechanic is the most sure fire way to get a replacement but also the most expensive. The base cost of a converter replacement is around $2,000 without considering taxes, fees, location, or any other necessary repairs.

The problem that most Prius owners face is that they have to have the converter installed in order to legally drive their car. While the function of the car doesn’t change much, apart from the noise, it is necessary to meet emissions standards. This leaves drivers with the choice of driving illegally or shelling out thousands of dollars in Prius catalytic converter costs.

Is It Worth The Cost?

That question really comes down to the value of your vehicle and how much you need that particular car. A brand new Prius that has its converter stolen is probably worth the expense of a new catalytic converter since it’s still new and has most of it’s value. If you’re a frequent driver of your Prius you might also consider going ahead with the replacement.

One of the things to consider is that this may not be a one time replacement. If the problem with the converter is not in the converter itself (which is likely) and you don’t fix THAT problem, then you risk having to replace the converter again later. Furthermore, since catalytic converters are a hot target for theft, you risk replacing a stolen converter only to have it get stolen again shortly thereafter.

If you’re driving an older model Prius then the cost may not be worth it in the first place. Once the vehicle has lost most of its value, spending thousands of dollars replacing a part can seem like a waste of money. Even if the Prius you’re driving is newer, if it has ever been in a wreck or been damaged in some other way that might compromise the vehicle, it may not be worth the extra cost to replace the catalytic converter along with all the other problems.