P0420 on a 2017 Ford Explorer

P0420 means the downstream oxygen sensor pattern suggests the bank 1 catalytic converter is not storing oxygen properly.

Not your vehicle? See general P0420 info.

Most common causes on the 2017 Ford Explorer

Ranked from 1,669 NHTSA owner complaints filed for this vehicle.

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1
Oil/coolant contamination and physical damage to the catalytic converter from internal water pump failure
High severity
The 3.5L Cyclone/Duratec's internal, chain-driven water pump is a widely documented design defect (subject of a federal class action, Roe v. Ford) that leaks coolant into the cylinders/crankcase, producing white exhaust smoke and stored P0300-series misfire codes -- exactly the kind of contamination and unburned-fuel exposure that kills a catalyst.
Reported in 16 NHTSA complaints
Parts:water pump catalytic converter spark plugs
2
Turbocharger oil seal failure contaminating the O2 sensors and catalytic converter
High severity
One owner had both turbos and all O2 sensors replaced after oil entered the exhaust and produced white smoke -- textbook oil poisoning of the catalyst and its monitoring sensors.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:turbocharger oxygen sensor catalytic converter
3
VVT/cam-phaser fracture disrupting valve timing
Medium severity
A fractured timing-phaser component (independently reported on this model year) can produce timing-related misfires that foul the catalyst over time.
Reported in 1 NHTSA complaint
Parts:variable valve timing phaser
4
Worn/degraded catalytic converter (age/mileage)
Medium severity
Normal substrate wear over time and mileage until efficiency drops below the OBD-II threshold.
Common cause
Parts:catalytic converter
5
Failing downstream O2 sensor
Low severity
A sluggish or contaminated downstream sensor can report a false efficiency failure even with a healthy converter.
Common cause
Parts:oxygen sensor
6
Exhaust leak upstream of the downstream sensor
Medium severity
Outside air entering ahead of the rear sensor skews the efficiency comparison used to set the code.
Common cause

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These causes are aggregated from NHTSA owner complaints and general repair knowledge — this is not a diagnosis. P0420 on your car still needs shop confirmation before any repair.

Common symptoms

Check engine light
Usually no drivability issue
Failed emissions test
Sulfur smell in some cases
Reduced power if converter is clogged

What to check before replacing parts

Check for misfire and fuel trim codes first

Look for: Any active or recent misfire, or lean/rich trim codes, means raw fuel or an off mixture has likely already damaged or is currently overworking the converter — fix those before touching the catalyst.

Inspect for exhaust leaks ahead of the converter

Look for: A leak before the converter (cracked manifold, loose flange, blown gasket) lets in outside air that confuses the downstream O2 sensor into reading as if the catalyst isn't working, even when it is.

Compare upstream and downstream O2 sensor activity

Look for: A healthy converter makes the downstream sensor read flat and steady while the upstream sensor swings actively. If the downstream sensor switches nearly as fast as the upstream one, the converter isn't storing oxygen properly and is likely worn out.

Check converter temperature and performance

Look for: A converter outlet noticeably cooler than expected relative to its inlet under load suggests little catalytic reaction is happening inside — supports a genuinely failed converter rather than a false reading.

Hold off on replacing the converter until root causes are ruled out

Look for: If misfires, exhaust leaks, or fuel trim issues caused this code, a new converter will fail again quickly — confirm those are clean first.

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Matching symptoms

Check Engine Light