# Catalytic converter & O2 sensors **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [August 1, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545 "2008-08-01T18:03:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tbaker21k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/58956e/32.png) [@tbaker21k](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tbaker21k)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/1 "2008-08-01T18:03:00Z")
I have a problem with my 2002 Saturn VUE, dealership states I need catalytic convertor and 02 sensor, but they told me it was hard to find converter for 2002 VUE. Anyone have any ideas where I can search online and price one? Dealership estimated $200 for O2 sensor and 650 for converter. I live in Kansas City area. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/2 "2008-08-01T18:05:54Z")
Aren’t those still covered under the emissions warranty? ---
**Author:** ![tbaker21k](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/58956e/32.png) [@tbaker21k](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tbaker21k)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:23pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/3 "2008-08-01T18:23:59Z")
Not really sure about emissions warranty, my auto is no longer under the standard warranty - It is a 2002, w/91,000 miles ---
**Author:** ![Beadsandbeads](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c57346/32.png) [@Beadsandbeads](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Beadsandbeads)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/4 "2008-08-01T18:44:21Z")
Don’t take this as Gospel, but I think that cat is covered for 8/80 so Tbaker21k is out of luck on that. I think that the O2 sensor is not covered with the other "major components’. Run away from the dealer and find an indy shop that will put on an after market converter. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 6:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/5 "2008-08-01T18:48:04Z")
Why would it be under emissions warranty. My 2005 4runner is WAY PAST emissions warranty…a 2002 probably is too. As for the Cat…I’d first replace the o2 sensors. Many times a dealer/mechanic gets the error code which tells them the cat is bad…but in reality it’s just the o2’s are bad. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/6 "2008-08-01T20:50:31Z")
Looks like years are OK, but mileage is too high - are you over 80k on your '05? Here’s the EPA description of what is covered 8/80. It includes the cat. > **[Vehicles and Engines | US EPA](https://www.epa.gov/vehicles-and-engines)** > > On this page you will find links to information about nonroad engines and highway vehicles. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 9:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/7 "2008-08-01T21:08:44Z")
Just passed the 100k mark. The OP has a car that’s 6 years old. According the AAA the average person drives 25k miles/year…So if he/she’s an average driver then they should be over too. ---
**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/8 "2008-08-01T21:20:21Z")
A DTC code never says there is a defective part, sensor, or component. Never. The DTC code says there is a problem detected in a certain CIRCUIT. It uses the name of the part to identify the affected CIRCUIT. This may be difficult to understand; but, that’s the way it is. In other words, there is no code which tells that the catalytic converter (or, even the oxygen sensors) are bad, and have to be replaced. I don’t know if so many mechanics are ignorant, or just after the quick buck (Change a part. Make a buck.). ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 9:45pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/9 "2008-08-01T21:45:54Z")
Not sure where the 25k/year number comes from, AAA uses 15k/year when calculating costs, etc, and the feds report average passenger vehicle travels a little over 12k/year. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2008, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/10 "2008-08-01T22:28:35Z")
AAA’s TV ads TODAY are saying that the average US driver drives 25k miles/yr. I don’t doubt that one bit. I average over 40k. My wife who has a short commute averages 23k. I’ve NEVER heard ny Feds report on mileage. I’ve heard several Insurance companies and Insurance bureaus report a 12k miles…but never anything official from the feds. ---
**Author:** ![texases](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/texases/32/862_2.png) [@texases](https://community.cartalk.com/u/texases)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2008, 1:29am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/catalytic-converter-o2-sensors/17545/11 "2008-08-02T01:29:41Z")
Really don’t know where you get this stuff. Here’s the history of miles/year, now around 11k/12k cars/light trucks. 25k is very high. [http://msl1.mit.edu/Mar2Lecture/Use\_Safety3.htm](http://msl1.mit.edu/Mar2Lecture/Use_Safety3.htm) here’s another, 231 miles/week = about 12,000 miles per year: [http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/rtecs/chapter3.html](http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/rtecs/chapter3.html)