Check engine light PO422

Well today on my moms way home from work her, check engine light came on... The code is PO422 which is the Main Catalyst Below Threshold (Bank1).. What the heck does that mean......?

She has a 2002 Beetle with the 2.0L engine non turbo... We just recently bought the car from a VW dealer, so i dont understand why the light came on....

If anyone knows what this means or how to fix it, that would be great. Thanks

You need a new catalytic converter. Its covered under federal emissions 8yr 80k warranty.

Thanks for the post.. I had the converter replaced underwarranty luckily, or that would have been 600 dollars.

Thanks again