The Lemon IndexThe catalytic converter on bank 1 isn't cleaning the exhaust as well as it should. Full P0420 page
16 owner complaints · the #5 code Ford Focus owners name · 5% of Ford Focus complaints that name a code (every car: 2.3%)
2012–2017 Ford Focus · most: 2013 (4), 2012 (4), 2014 (3)
Ford Focus owners named P0420 in 16 complaints to the U.S. government (NHTSA), most often on the 2013, 2012 and 2014 model years. The part they name most is the EVAP purge or vent valve (7 complaints). Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Ford Focus model years that report P0420
Owner complaints naming P0420, by model year. Raw counts: years that sold more get more complaints, so this is each model year's record, not a failure rate.
What owners say caused it or fixed it
The most-named part is the EVAP purge or vent valve, in 7 of the 16 complaints (44%). 3 of those mention it being replaced or repaired. Next: catalytic converter (5), fuel pump (3) and engine software (a reflash) (2).
- EVAP part (purge valve, vent valve, canister)7 complaints3 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford Focus owners paid
- Catalytic converter5 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement · what owners paid
- Fuel pump3 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement · what Ford Focus owners paid
- Software update (reflash)2 complaints2 mention a repair or replacement
7 complaints mention a recall and 4 mention a warranty.
Counted from the owners' own words: a part counts when a sentence names it with a cause or repair word. What owners wrote, not a diagnosis. A shop should confirm the cause before replacing parts.
Symptoms owners describe with P0420
69% of these complaints say the check engine light came on.
- Stalls or shuts off44%7 of 16 complaints
- Loses power or goes into limp mode12%2 of 16 complaints
- Shakes, runs rough or misfires12%2 of 16 complaints
Share of the complaints naming P0420 whose text also describes each problem. A complaint can describe more than one.
Codes owners report with it
P1450 6 P0456 3 P0460 2 P0452 2 P2196 2 P0443 2
Other codes named in the same Ford Focus complaints, and in how many.
Repair costs
Ford Focus EVAP system repair cost · Ford Focus fuel pump replacement cost
Recalls on these Ford Focus years
- Fuel system, gasoline · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 · issued 2026
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, causing the engine to stall unexpectedly while driving. NHTSA 26V369000 - Engine · 2016, 2017 · issued 2023
The oil pump drive belt or drive belt tensioner may fail, resulting in a loss of engine oil pressure. NHTSA 23V905000 - Fuel system, gasoline · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017 · issued 2019
The affected vehicles did not have the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) updated as intended. NHTSA 19V515000 - Fuel system, gasoline · 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 · issued 2018
The Canister Purge Valve (CPV) may malfunction, possibly causing excessive vacuum in fuel vapor management system. NHTSA 18V735000 - Fuel system, gasoline · 2014 · issued 2015
On April 30, 2015, Ford expanded the recall to cover an additional 45,505 vehicles, including certain model year 2014-2015 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured November 11, 2013, to August 29, 2014, 2014-2015 Ford … NHTSA 15V005000
6 recalls for the same systems (engine and fuel) on the Ford Focus model years above. A recall for the same system isn't proof it's behind P0420. Recall work is free at any dealer: check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with our VIN check.
Keep going
- P0420: meaning, causes and every car that reports it
- Ford Focus reliability by year
- 2013 Ford Focus problems and recalls
Other codes Ford Focus owners report
P0420 on other cars
Kia Soul (80) · Nissan Altima (19) · Hyundai Tucson (12) · Honda Odyssey (11) · Ford F-Series (10) · Honda Pilot (10)
The details
How we count
We read every owner complaint in the NHTSA file whose text names this trouble code, and count the ones filed about this model (matched by the make, model and model year on the complaint). Mileage is what the owner entered on the form.
Parts: a complaint counts for a part when one of the owner's own sentences names that part together with a cause word (failed, bad, diagnosed, caused by, leaking ...) or a repair word (replaced, repaired, new, reprogrammed ...). "Came back" means the same complaint also says the problem returned or the repair didn't fix it. These are counts of what owners wrote, not a diagnosis, and one complaint can name several parts.
Complaints are reports, not proof of a defect, and most owners never file one. Popular models get more complaints, so the counts are not a failure rate. The code meaning is the standard SAE J2012 definition in our own words, or the carmaker's meaning where we verified it for that make.
What P0420 means
The catalytic converter on bank 1 isn't cleaning the exhaust as well as it should. The car usually drives normally, but it can fail an emissions test.
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
- Worn-out catalytic converter
- Faulty downstream O2 sensor
- Exhaust leak
- Misfires or oil burning that damaged the converter
Check the complaints yourself
NHTSA complaint numbers (search them at nhtsa.gov): 11770880, 11748702, 11742139, 11658562, 11637488, 11583587, 11576173, 11531982, 11485071, 11443669, 11434399, 11427851 and 4 more.
Quick answers
What does P0420 mean on a Ford Focus?
Catalyst System Efficiency Below Threshold (Bank 1). The catalytic converter on bank 1 isn't cleaning the exhaust as well as it should. The car usually drives normally, but it can fail an emissions test.
Which Ford Focus years have the most P0420 complaints?
In complaints to NHTSA, owners of the 2013 (4), 2012 (4), 2014 (3) Ford Focus named P0420 most (16 complaints in all, 2012–2017). Raw counts, not a failure rate.
What fixes P0420 on a Ford Focus?
Owners most often name the EVAP purge or vent valve (7 of 16 complaints), then catalytic converter and fuel pump. That's what owners wrote, not a diagnosis: have a shop confirm the cause with a scan and tests before replacing parts.
Can I drive my Ford Focus with P0420?
Drive on, get it checked. You can usually keep driving. Have the code read at your next service or within a few weeks.
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints that name P0420 on the Ford Focus, counted by The Lemon Index; NHTSA recalls; repair bills owners named. Meanings: SAE J2012 in our own words. Owner reports, not a diagnosis or repair advice for your car.