Toyota Camry Catalytic Converter Location
Most older Toyota Camrys have a single catalytic converter on their undersides, but newer models carry a second under their hoods.
Written by Jasmine Kanter
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
Depending on the year, your Toyota Camry could have one or two catalytic converters. Older models have one on the underside of the front of the vehicle while newer models carry a second one under the hood.
A catalytic converter is an unassuming component of your car's exhaust system. It looks like a muffler, but instead of trapping noise, it converts hazardous engine by-products into the relatively less harmful exhaust. It’s also packed with precious metals, like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. The prices of these metals have skyrocketed, resulting in a
325% increase in catalytic converter thefts
in 2020.We’ve put together a guide on the Toyota Camry’s catalytic converter location. We’ll also talk about how to protect it from thieves.
Toyota Camry catalytic converter location
Your Toyota Camry could have one or two catalytic converters, depending on its model year and powertrain.
In older cars, the catalytic converter is located on the underside of the front of the vehicle. You can remove it by dismantling the exhaust pipe or cutting it out. Newer models feature a second converter under the hood. You can only access it after removing several parts and the bolts that connect it to the engine block.
In the past, catalytic converters resembled squat cylinders with metal ribs. Modern, eighth-generation Camrys feature a front catalytic converter that looks like a wonky tube with several outlets.
Meanwhile, the engine-attached catalytic converter has been combined with several other parts, resulting in a catalytic converter with an integrated exhaust manifold.
Visit the
official Toyota Parts Store
and enter your car’s details to find out which one(s) your Camry has. Search for “catalytic converter” and the results will tell you whether you have one on the underside, under the hood, or both.Don't get ripped off!
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Can you drive without a catalytic converter?
Avoid driving for long (or at all) without a catalytic converter, whether it was stolen, damaged, worn out, or intentionally removed.
Call for a tow if you find your converter’s been cut out. It’s better to pay the
average tow cost
than damage your car even further by driving with a loosened exhaust line. If your converter simply needs to be replaced, try to do it ASAP. Your fuel mileage will suffer as your car struggles to regulate its gasses without the benefits of a filter. And if your exhaust line becomes completely blocked by grime, you'll lose power altogether.
Some car owners deliberately remove or tamper with their catalytic converters to boost horsepower, but believe it or not, it’s as illegal as stealing someone else’s car parts. Not only will your car probably fail to pass emissions testing, but you could break state and federal laws.
California's catalytic converter laws
, for instance, could fine you up to $10,000.How to protect the catalytic converter on your Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry takes eighth place on Car & Driver's list of
the top 10 cars most targeted by catalytic converter thieves
. Unfortunately, its parts are both easy to access and rewarding to steal. You now know where to find your car’s cat con, so let's show you how to protect it.No matter what model year your Camry is, here are some tips to keep it safe:
- Location, location, location: Private garages are a great place to keep your car. If you don’t have one, a motion-sensing flood lamp or well-placed street lamp helps to discourage criminals.
- Hello, my name is ______: Just as VIN-etched windows are traceable and thus less attractive to thieves, you can etch a number on your catalytic converter. New York’s recentanti-catalytic-converter-theft lawsrequire dealerships to sell VIN-etching kits at cost and salvagers to record every catalytic converter sale.
What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen
If despite your best efforts, the worst comes to pass and your converter is stolen, we’ve got you. Here’s what to do:
- Document the theft by taking pictures of your exhaust pipe and the missing converter
- File a police report
- Consider installing an aftermarket catalytic converter to lower costs and reduce the odds of future thefts
- Review your parking options and, if you can, install an anti-theft device in the future
When to replace the catalytic converter on a Toyota Camry
Your catalytic converter should last 10 years or more if all goes well. You can prolong its life by choosing
the best gasoline or fuel for your car
and limiting Toyota Camry off-road
excursions (which can damage the underside of your car). However, as a filter for some of the most hazardous gasses your car can produce, you'll eventually have to replace it.Here are all the signs your cat-con isn’t long for this world:
- Reduced vehicle acceleration
- Sluggish engine response
- Dark orfoul-smelling exhaust smoke(keep an eye—or nose—out for an exhaust pipe that smells like rotten eggs)
- Overheating on the underside of your car
- Failed emissions test
- Check engine light warning
If you notice these signs, take your car to a mechanic for a check-up. The average cost to replace a Camry’s catalytic converter is $1,500. That’s about $1,000 for the part ($955 for an official Toyota
front catalytic converter
and $844 for a catalytic converter with integrated exhaust manifold
) and a few hundred for labor and taxes. You might also have to pay to repair or replace related components—like the heat shield or oxygen sensors—at the same time.
If your car is brand new, Toyota's emission defect warranty covers either type of converter for three years or 60,000 miles. If you're past that point, you should consider an OEM replacement (and installation at an authorized Toyota dealership). For your troubles, you'll get a one-year/unlimited-mile warranty.
How to replace a catalytic converter
You shouldn't replace your Camry's catalytic converter yourself unless you're confident in your mechanical skills and toolbox. For a converter mounted on the exhaust line, you'll need a pipe cutter, torch, gasket cleaner, and more.
Catalytic converters under the hood are easier to deal with since they only require a few bolts. Just be sure to choose the correct video tutorial (and replacement part) for your Camry’s model year!
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