P0432 means the main catalytic converter on Bank 2 has dropped below the efficiency threshold the ECU expects. Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder 1, so P0432 only applies to V6, V8, V10, V12, or certain flat engine layouts. It is the Bank 2 equivalent of P0422.
P0432 means the main catalytic converter on Bank 2 has dropped below the efficiency threshold the ECU expects. Bank 2 is the cylinder bank that does not contain cylinder 1, so P0432 only applies to V6, V8, V10, V12, or certain flat engine layouts. It is the Bank 2 equivalent of P0422.
P0432 is a emissions-related diagnostic trouble code classified as moderate severity. When your vehicle's ECU detects this condition, it stores P0432 and illuminates the check engine light.
If your vehicle has triggered P0432, you may notice one or more of these symptoms:
Here are the most common causes of P0432, ranked by how likely they are to be the culprit:
Generally yes, for short-term driving. Safe for normal driving. The check engine light will prevent emissions or periodic technical inspection passage. If rattling appears from under the floor on the Bank 2 side, the converter substrate may be breaking apart and replacement should be prioritised.
Follow these steps to pinpoint the root cause of P0432:
Repair costs for P0432 vary depending on the root cause and your vehicle. Here are typical estimates:
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
P0432 behaves differently depending on your vehicle. Select your car below for model-specific causes, known issues, and adjusted cost estimates:
2007-2013
P0432 on the 3 Series applies to V8 variants like the E90 and E92 M3 (S65 V8) and earlier V8 sport models. The Bank 2 main cat on the S65 sits in the underfloor section ahead of the secondary muffler and is more accessible than the manifold-integrated pre-cat. Always check Bank 2 fuel-trim history because S65 individual throttle body sync issues commonly cause Bank 2 to run slightly richer.
Estimated costs for BMW 3 Series ownersadjusted higher than average due to BMW-specific parts pricing
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
2005-2024
The VW Touareg with 3.6 VR6 FSI, 3.0 TFSI V6, and 4.2 V8 FSI petrol engines sets P0432 around 180,000 to 220,000 km on the Bank 2 main cat. On the Touareg V8, the Bank 2 main cat is bolted directly to the front subframe area, making removal awkward and labour-intensive. Diesel V6 and V8 TDI Touaregs use a particulate filter system instead and rarely set P0432.
Estimated costs for Volkswagen Touareg ownersadjusted higher than average due to Volkswagen-specific parts pricing
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
2005-2024
On the Audi A6 3.0 TFSI (EA837) and 3.0 TDI V6, P0432 typically appears at 180,000 km on the Bank 2 main cat. The Bank 2 main cat on the EA837 supercharged V6 is accessible from below without dropping the subframe, which keeps labour reasonable. On 3.0 TDI variants check for soot loading from a stuck EGR valve before condemning the cat itself.
Estimated costs for Audi A6 ownersadjusted higher than average due to Audi-specific parts pricing
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
2009-2024
On W212 and W213 E-Class with M276 V6 or M278 V8 engines, P0432 commonly appears at 180,000 km on the Bank 2 main cat. The M278 V8 (E550 and E63) has very tight underbody packaging on Bank 2, raising the labour estimate. Always check for M276 or M278 balance-shaft and chain wear, since both engine families have known rough-running issues that accelerate cat aging on either bank.
Estimated costs for Mercedes-Benz E-Class ownersadjusted higher than average due to Mercedes-Benz-specific parts pricing
Prices estimated as of March 2026. Costs vary by region, vehicle, and shop.
These codes are often seen alongside P0432 or indicate related issues:
Both are Bank 2 catalyst efficiency codes. P0430 is the generic OBD-II code used by most manufacturers. P0432 is used by some manufacturers (commonly Chrysler-Jeep and some European brands) to specifically label the main catalyst when the exhaust has a separate warm-up pre-cat and main cat per bank. The diagnostic approach is essentially identical.
Yes, if Bank 1 shows no efficiency codes and the downstream O2 sensor traces look healthy. However, on engines past 180,000 km, the Bank 1 main cat is often within a year of triggering its own efficiency code, and many owners replace both at the same time to save on overlapping labour.
Asymmetric wear is common. Causes include intake manifold geometry that delivers a slightly different air-fuel ratio per bank, exhaust packaging that traps more heat on one side, or a single failing injector or coil that has been quietly causing partial misfires on Bank 2 for months.
Quality OEM-equivalent aftermarket cats from reputable European brands generally pass emissions and periodic technical inspection. Very cheap universal cats often do not meet the OEM oxygen storage spec and will trigger P0432 again within weeks. Always buy a cat with the correct certification (E-mark or equivalent for the EU market).
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