P0420 in California (Solution)

hello

I was wondering how you told dealer to fix under the ca emissions warranty? Did you tell them to look it up? I recently got the p1121 code, and saw other people on here have gotten it fixed under that warranty but they denied my request. Stealership is unfair.

 

Actually, that is incorrect. Aftermarket cats CAN be installed PROVIDED they have an E.O. certification from the California Air Resources Board (CARB). It is this certification requirement that is the reason for the higher price even though there isn't a physical or operational difference. It can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a CARB certification so the manufacturer needs to recoup that expense. Due to the probable low volume of demand, it is most likely that makers such as Magnaflow and Bosal decided to pass on making a CARB legal cat.

Now if CARB was REALLY concerned about what comes out of the tailpipe rather than how much money they can rake in, there wouldn't be these silly rules. Fortunately, the EPA is taking steps to eliminate having separate standards and going back to one national standard.

 

Really? Cat games for us NY-ers is a lot like Cali.

 

True, HOWEVER cats approved for by NY are still not legal in CA until CARB gets their cut. Walker and Magnaflow both make NY-approved cats:
https://www.autozone.com/emission-control-and-exhaust/catalytic-converter/walker-new-york-catalytic-converter/275896_89089_2149
https://www.autozone.com/emission-control-and-exhaust/catalytic-converter/magnaflow-catalytic-converter/544726_477835_5320
https://www.autozone.com/emission-control-and-exhaust/catalytic-converter/magnaflow-new-york-catalytic-converter/75441_943870_2149
but as you see, they are not to be put on CA-registered vehicles.

So there are at LEAST 3 versions of US Prius catalytic converters: California, NY, and 48 state (includes territories like DC, VI, PR, Guam, etc.)

 

You need to call Toyota USA and figure out what you are entitled to under the warranty.
Sometimes they will give you consideration even if you are over the warranty.
I never heard of a CARB rule that supersedes Toyota warranty, but sometimes Toyota covers.
Also important is if your car is CARB-certified by Toyota rules (orig registered in a CARB state)

 

I just pulled out the "Prius Owner's Warranty Information" booklet for my 2004 Prius. In the Table of Contents, under "Your Warranties in Detail" section are listed 5 warranties, of which the fourth one is "California Emission Control Warranty".
First, the warranty is for 15 years or 150,000 miles; second, the catalytic converter is specifically mentioned; third, "use of replacement parts not certified in accordance with aftermarket parts certification regulations" is specifically not covered; fourth, if the car fails a smog test, take the test results to a Toyota dealer and they have 30 days to fix it IF it qualifies for coverage.

So, it sounds like the dealer said it did not qualify, now the dispute procedure kicks in. Step 1 is to discuss the situation with the dealer service or customer service manager. If that fail to satisfy you, then Step 2 is to call Toyota Customer Assistance (800-331-4331in the booklet).
If Step 2 doesn't work, you go to Step 3 which is an arbitration program called "California Dispute Settlement Program"; the Toyota Customer Assistance can help you with that or you can call directly at 888-300-6237 (again from the booklet). Only after using Step 3, can you use court action under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

 

I agree...basically if you think you are covered you need to make your case.
Normally Toyota USA has been extremely cooperative (eg; on HV batteries) so we are not expecting Toyota USA to refuse a warranty issue that is legally covered. Of course dealership service depts have bad rep as far as giving the correct advice, so you want to find a good dealership or else work with Toyota USA yourself.

 

thanks for replying! Yes, my car is CARB-certified. I called Toyota USA, but the representative said he could not find a page on his computer that stated which CA Emissions warranty parts were covered or not, and said the dealership should have such list. Dealership is basically forcing me now to pay their diagnostic fee of $150 USD in order for them to tell me the error code–of which I already have and know what it consists of–so they can then go on their computer and check if that part is under CA Emissions Warranty or not.

 

Thanks for all the info! I will follow those steps. Yes, I took my Prius Owner's Warranty Information booklet too and pointed to that specific section you mentioned. The dealership manager unfortunately said no after speaking with whoever is up above him.I am thinking of getting a smog check so they can see it will fail because of this code. I'll also call the CDSP now that I have that info. I know three other people that got this part fixed under the emissions warranty so I know for a fact they should've done so too.

 

The CC’s are identical. Replace with the one you can afford. Smog guys are not crawling under your car

 

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/EXC83205 USE THE CARB CODE D-182-62

 

I’m afraid not: the Executive Order (PDF) with that number allows a specific aftermarket part to be installed only on vehicles of the makes and models listed in its appendix, none of which is a Toyota Prius car of any year. As the official Smog Check Manual (PDF) explains on page 50:

For OBDII Equipped Vehicles, inspectors shall use the EO number and corresponding part number to verify the part is approved for use on that specific vehicle configuration (e.g., year, make, model, engine, GVWR, fuel type, etc.). To conduct this verification, inspectors must check the ARB EO Aftermarket Catalytic Converter Database located on the ARB Web site. Each EO contains a catalog listing the applicable vehicles.
​

The database is accessible from ARB’s website, which also has a list of all of the Executive Orders. As far as I know, ARB has still not approved any aftermarket catalytic converters for Prius cars.

 

I solved the CARB problem by moving to Arizona.

 

HAHA

 

That probably wasn't the only problem that this fixed!

Thanks for your service BTW.
I've bumped into a few USAF kids over the years that wore black berets.
Good folks!

Fun Fact:
Squids in the Nam that rode PBRs (Patrol Boat Riverine) wore similar berets.
They used to 'modify' them after their first combat runs.
Not sure if the USAF does anything similar.

Congrats on tunneling out!

 

OMG! I LOVE YOU!
I'm at 222,000+ miles but you are RAD and appreciate your tenacity!
Thank you