How can i stop someone from stealing my catalytic converter

Letting the Cat Out of the Bag

What you need to know about catalytic converter theft and how to keep yours safe.

Published:

December 15, 2021

With catalytic converter thefts becoming more prevalent in recent years, it leaves many drivers concerned they can fall victim to these crimes. According to State Farm claims data, catalytic converter theft increased by almost 300% from 2020 to 2021. As of June 2021, approximately 18,000 catalytic converter theft claims had been reported to State Farm, which likely represents only a fraction of the total catalytic converter thefts.

Whether you’ve been directly affected by catalytic converter theft, you have more than likely seen the aftermath. Have you ever stood outside or sat in your car at a stoplight, only to see a Toyota Prius casually drive by, followed by a deafening roar? No, someone didn’t stuff a big block V8 engine under the hood, but rather the catalytic converter has likely been removed from the vehicle due to theft. As a result, this allows unsilenced, raw exhaust gases to escape from the engine.

While nobody wants to think that the catalytic converter can be stolen off their vehicle, the unfortunate reality of the matter is that it can happen to just about anybody (except electric vehicle drivers, they’re off the hook on this one). In this article, we’ll go over what you need to know about catalytic converters and how to protect your investment:

1. Why would someone steal a catalytic converter?
2. What is a catalytic converter and how does it work?
3. Types of vehicles that may run a higher risk of catalytic converter theft
4. How to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen

Why Would Someone Steal My Car’s Catalytic Converter?

Stealing a catalytic converter (or cat) off a vehicle’s exhaust system may seem like a strange crime, but the precious metals—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—that make up the converter are quite valuable. Unfortunately, thieves are well aware of this fact, which motivates them to sell stolen catalytic converters to places such as less-than-honorable recyclers. The stolen cats are then melted down to extract and sell the precious metals.

Another issue with catalytic converter theft is the cost of replacement for the vehicle owner. A factory replacement catalytic converter can easily cost $1,500 or more to replace, and that’s assuming the thieves didn’t cause any other damage to the vehicle during the “removal” process.

If you do end up needing to replace your vehicle’s catalytic converter, there are aftermarket alternatives available for less than a factory replacement. However, quality and longevity may not always equal that of the factory converter. Another thing to take into consideration is that certain states (often California) require specific catalytic converters in order for a vehicle to be emissions-compliant, in case you notice a price discrepancy between similar parts.

What Exactly Is a Catalytic Converter & How Does it Work?

Since their widespread adoption in the 1970s, catalytic converters are emissions devices used on gasoline engines to convert toxic exhaust pollutants into less harmful emissions. Raw exhaust gases from a vehicle’s engine are fed directly into the catalytic converter, which is often shaped like a canister or a small muffler, to help remove toxic pollutants before the exhaust exits the vehicle’s tailpipe. This process occurs through a chemical reaction with metals such as platinum, which in turn converts harmful gases such as carbon monoxide into less harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, as well as water and nitrogen.

So how effective are catalytic converters? To put this into perspective, a catalytic converter removes upwards of 90% of harmful gases caused by internal combustion. While not perfect, they are a significant contributor to better air quality in urban areas. Ever seen those pictures from the 1960s and 1970s of the smog-filled skies of Los Angeles? Catalytic converters help to keep air pollution from reaching such extreme levels.

The catalytic converter on most vehicles is generally located between the exhaust manifold (where exhaust gases initially exit the engine during combustion) and the muffler (the device located at the tailpipe which reduces excessive and unwanted engine noise). Depending on your vehicle’s engine configuration, it may have more than one catalytic converter, such as a V8 engine with a dual-pipe exhaust system. However, each vehicle application is different, so catalytic converter location within the exhaust system and quantity can vary.

Which Types of Vehicles Are Prone to Catalytic Converter Theft?

By now you’re probably wondering if your catalytic converter is at risk of being stolen. While converter theft can happen to anyone, some vehicles are targeted more closely by thieves. Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, are often victims of catalytic converter theft because they are designed to be more emissions friendly than a standard gasoline car. In turn, hybrid vehicles generally come equipped with higher-quality catalytic converters, meaning they contain more valuable precious metals.

The other common targets for converter theft are pickup trucks and SUVs. Since they have additional ground clearance over a car, thieves can quickly slide under the vehicle and remove the cat(s) without having to jack up the vehicle for access. Depending on the vehicle, some catalytic converters aren’t even welded in and are simply attached with bolts, which do not require electric cutting tools for removal.

Thankfully, in recent years, automakers have caught on to this trend and made converter theft more difficult. Examples include placing cats in less accessible locations, like the engine compartment, or integrating them into other engine components such as manifolds. It’s not foolproof, but any improvement helps.

What Can I Do to Keep My Catalytic Converter Secure?

If you suspect your vehicle is at risk for catalytic converter theft, here are some ways you can minimize the likelihood of it happening:

1. Park Carefully: Not everyone has a private, locked garage to park their vehicle in, so the next best thing to deter thieves from stealing your catalytic converter is to carefully park your vehicle. This can mean parking in a driveway, under a street lamp, within range of a video surveillance camera, or in a busier street/open area that would make it difficult for thieves to hide from witnesses.
2. Add Identifying Marks: Since a lot of catalytic converters look very similar, it can be difficult to try and prove the vehicle it was stolen from. Adding identifying marks such as etched license plate numbers, or painting the converters with bright colors, can deter thieves since it will be hard to sell a converter that can be easily identified as stolen.
3. Install a Dashcam: Dashcams are great in the event of a traffic accident, as the footage can prove who is at fault, especially for police reports and insurance claims. They can also be used while a vehicle is parked. The camera may capture footage of the thief or their getaway vehicle, which can be used to identify or track the thief in the event of a catalytic converter being stolen.
4. Install a Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Device: With catalytic converter thefts on the rise, many aftermarket companies have developed products for vehicle owners to help prevent their vehicles from falling victim to theft. A popular option is to install a metal shield designed to cover the catalytic converter; it features anti-tamper hardware that makes removal difficult and time-consuming for thieves. Another choice is to install a catalytic converter “lock” or “clamp” on your vehicle. Using specialized clamps, a heavy-duty cable is routed through the clamps to encase the catalytic converter, making removal a very time-consuming process before the converter itself can be exposed.

Nobody wants their catalytic converter stolen, but hopefully this article has shed some additional light on the subject. And should you run the risk of catalytic converter theft, you can take some preventative measures to avoid the inconvenience and costly replacement. For more content on new and used vehicles, electric vehicles, as well as vehicle ownership, be sure to check out the TrueCar blog for updates.

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