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P0420 on TOYOTA TACOMA

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
2
Most Affected
2006, 2009

What P0420 Means on Your TOYOTA TACOMA

Real TOYOTA TACOMA Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"Toyota tacoma limited service campaign. i dropped my truck off in november 2015 for a frame inspection, i was then told i could not drive my truck off of the lot and had to have a loaner vehicle. i was in a loaner vehicle without my truck for 4 months until the beginning of march 2016."

— 2006 TOYOTA TACOMA owner • STRUCTURE • Filed 03/02/2016

"Check engine light: p0420 fault code. also, there is a rattling sound and exhaust back up to the pressure release mount where the exhaust connects to the engine. dealer diagnosis catalytic converter is failing, replacement required also the heat shield is ratting."

— 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA owner • ENGINE • Filed 01/28/2019

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P0420 on TOYOTA TACOMA

50%
50%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2006
1
2009
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P0420 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026