Honda Pilot Catalytic Converter Location
A Honda Pilot has three catalytic converters. Two are located in the engine bay close to the intake manifold, the third is underneath the vehicle floor.
Written by Mary Cahill
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The Honda Pilot is a three-row crossover SUV with three catalytic converters. Two of the catalytic converters are located in the engine bay of the Pilot, close to the intake manifold while the third is located underneath the vehicle floor.
A catalytic converter located under a vehicle—especially one with higher ground clearance—is vulnerable to theft. A disturbing rise in catalytic converter theft made waves in the media in 2021, and sadly the situation doesn’t appear to be improving.
This crucial and pricy vehicle component contains precious metals whose high resell price attracts thieves. Drivers need to know where their vehicle’s catalytic converter(s) are located and what measures can be taken to better protect them, including with your
car insurance
policy.Where is the catalytic converter on a Honda CR-V?
A larger SUV like the Honda Pilot contains not one but three catalytic converters, and they all have a specific location in the vehicle. The rear warm-up three-way catalytic converter (WU-TWC) is located in the engine bay near the intake manifold in bank 1. The front warm-up three-way catalytic converter (WU-TWC) is also within the engine bay, in bank 2.
Lastly, there’s an under-floor three-way catalytic converter (TWC) located beneath the Pilot’s floorboard. It’s affixed to the exhaust pipe and positioned ahead of the muffler.
Catalytic converters located within the engine bay aren’t an easy grab for thieves, but the one under the floorboard sure is. In as little as 30 seconds, a skilled thief can shimmy underneath a vehicle and use a reciprocating saw to cut the catalytic converter out of the exhaust line.
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What are the benefits of a catalytic converter on a Honda Pilot?
The role of the catalytic converter is to filter toxins from the exhaust gases created by the engine before they leave through the tailpipe. Emitting harmful pollutants from your Honda Pilots' exhaust pipe is not just detrimental to your engine—it’s really bad for the environment, too. A malfunctioning catalytic converter can cause a slew of engine problems and result in a failed EPA emissions test.
Let’s face it, car thieves aren’t nabbing catalytic converters because of what they do, but rather—what they contain. Precious metals like Platinum, palladium, and rhodium are found within the catalytic converter. Selling a stolen Honda catalytic converter on the black market can command a price upwards of $1,650.
Catalytic converter replacement costs come at an even higher price range. With consideration of parts and labor, RepairPal estimates that the cost of having a new catalytic converter installed in your Honda Pilot is between $2,096 and $2,137.
How to protect the catalytic converter on your Honda Pilot
Honda vehicles have been targeted by catalytic converter thieves for a couple of reasons. One is that the catalytic converter on older-model Hondas like the
CR-V
and Accord
is an easily accessible fixture on the exhaust line that runs down the underbody of the vehicle, so it isn’t difficult to make off with one—especially under the cover of night. Another reason is that Honda has many hybrid models. A catalytic converter on a hybrid vehicle requires a higher concentration of palladium than a regular gasoline-powered car. These days, palladium sells for an eye-popping $2,000 an ounce—an ounce of rhodium sells for $14,800.
There is a catalytic converter located underneath the Pilot, but that doesn't mean it has to be a sitting duck for thieves. Here are some ways you can safeguard it:
- Garage your Pilot or park in a well-lit area. If you don’t have the luxury of tucking your Pilot in a garage at night, make an effort to park in as well-lit of an area as possible. Install a motion-sensitive flood lamp near your driveway or make a habit of parking under a streetlight to deter thieves.
- Etch your VIN on the catalytic converter. Although a thief might not notice the etching until after they’ve cut out your catalytic converter, a VIN carved into a stolen part makes it much harder to unload on the black market.
While these are all valuable precautions, another effective way to protect your catalytic converter is to purchase
comprehensive coverage
for your Pilot. Comprehensive coverage reimburses drivers for vehicle damage that isn’t from a car accident. If you have this type of coverage when your catalytic converter gets stolen, you can file a claim
to help cover the hefty replacement costs. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen
If you realize your Pilot’s catalytic converter has been stolen, try to stay calm. There are a few steps you’ll need to take right away to help remedy the situation:
- Take photos of your exhaust line that show the catalytic converter has been removed.
- File a police report. Be sure to request a copy of the report from the responding officer.
- Put in an insurance claim with your provider if you’re carrying comprehensive coverage.
- Look into having an aftermarket catalytic converter installed to lower replacement costs and reduce the risk of repeat theft.
- Consider investing in anti-theft devices to keep thieves from choosing your Pilot as the object of their destruction.
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When to replace the catalytic converter on a Honda Pilot
Your Honda Pilot’s emissions warranty covers faulty catalytic converters for up to 10 years or 150,000 miles but these numbers can vary depending on the state where you live and the vehicle you drive. You must bring your Pilot to a participating Honda dealership for service within 30 days of the problem occurring so the warranty can be honored.
Other times, a catalytic converter simply wears out after about 10 years and needs to be replaced. These are some telltale signs that your catalytic converter may have run its course:
- Reduced or sluggish engine performance
- Rotten egg smell emitting from the exhaust system
- Check engine light goes on
- Underbody of the vehicle is overheating
- Failed emissions test
If you notice these warning signs, run a scan on your Pilot using an onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner. You may see the OBDII code P0420 pop up—this code stands for “catalyst system efficiency below threshold (bank 1)”. Occasionally this code can be triggered by a faulty O2 sensor, but if your Pilot is displaying any of the maintenance issues listed above, it’s likely the catalytic converter.
How to replace a catalytic converter
Mechanical skill is non-negotiable when replacing a catalytic converter, so unless you’ve got welding experience and an impressive set of tools at home it’s best to leave this repair to a professional.
Before you bring your Pilot in, it’s wise to look up the part number and get an idea of how much the specific catalytic converter is going for online. OEM-grade parts are best, but a quality aftermarket replacement can be a good investment as well—plus it could ward off future theft.
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