Repair 7

EPA Regulations for Catalytic Converters

Catalytic converters were first used to scrub pollutants from automobile exhaust systems in the United States in 1975. Today converters are required equipment on most passenger cars and light trucks sold in the U.S., where they have helped reduce vehicle emission pollution by more than 90 percent, according to CatalyticConverter.org. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforces emission performance specifications and other requirements for new and reconditioned converters.

Warranties

For new light-duty cars and trucks, converter manufacturers must provide a performance warranty covering repair of converters that fail emission control system tests in two years or 24,000 miles. Repair of major emission system parts is covered for eight years or 80,000 miles. A separate design and defect warranty covers emission control system parts that malfunction during the first two years or 24,000 miles, and major emission system parts in the first eight years or 80,000 miles.

Illegal Tampering

Any modification that reduces the effectiveness of a vehicle emission control system is illegal. Removing catalytic converters, selling or installing less effective replacement converters, or manufacturing converters that do not comply with federal performance specifications are subject to $25,000 penalties per occurrence. Vehicle owners, repair technicians and repair facilities can all be held responsible for violations.

New Replacement Converters

New aftermarket converters can be installed on a wide variety of different vehicles. They must carry a 25,000-mile warranty to meet federal emission performance standards, and a five year or 50,000-mile warranty on the converter end pipes and shell.

Used Replacement Converters

Used, or reconditioned, converters can only be installed on the type of vehicle for which they were originally manufactured. They must meet minimum EPA performance standards at the time of the sale but are not required to carry a warranty.