I'm financing a 2020 kia forte LXS (2.0L engine) with about 136,000 miles. My check engine light came on a couple weeks ago with a P0420 code. I was told by the mechanic at Express Oil that my catalytic converter is failing. Back pressure is "within spec but not great", and my front o2 sensor is burned up. The quote for an OEM replacement for everything was $3,600. Ridiculous and not affordable for the average driver.

I drive 50 miles each way to work (300+ miles a week) and now have to worry about my car breaking down on the highway. There are no recalls or extended warranties for this issue on my model year, but I've seen complaints and recalls for other Kia/Hyundai vehicles with the exact same problem. This looks like a widespread defect in Kia's catalytic converters and/or engine design.

A part this critical should not fail this early in a car's life. Kia needs to take responsibility instead of pushing $3,000+ repairs on customers. At the very least, there should be a recall or extended warranty for catalytic converter failure on the 2020 forte models.

Until I can get it fixed (via aftermarket & non-OEM parts and labor at independent mechanics, which is really just a band-aid until maybe I can trade it in and get rid of this car totally) I'm keeping my RPM as long as possible and babying the car.