Which Cars are Most Likely to Have Catalytic Converter Stolen+  Prevention

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Last updated on June 23rd, 2023 at 09:35 am

If you are wondering which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen? or what the Easiest Catalytic Converters To Steal are, Why People steal catalytic converter from cars, and what cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft in the metal scrap market; then those and many more subjects are the topics we will discuss in this post. Also, read this on not so easy to steal the cat.

The theft of catalytic converters is increasing across the country. It is possible for thieves to steal the antipollution device from your vehicle in minutes but with catalytic converter protection device, you make it difficult if not impossible to steal. They can then sell it to scrap metal dealers and make several hundred dollars for the precious materials it contains. State Farm, an insurance giant, claims it has handled more catalytic converter theft cases in 2021 than in 2020. It also reported that it had sold it to scrap metal dealers for several hundred dollars for the precious metals it contained.

Colby Sandman, owner, and operator of Muffler Tech, Sacramento, California says that a replacement for a stolen catalytic convert can run as high as $3,000 for the Toyota Prius. He noticed an increase in thefts after the lockdowns. His shop now replaces between 15 and 20 stolen catalytic convertors every day. and this is why I am particularly kin to discuss this subject “which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen”? in this article.

You might also love to read, my guide on various 3 ways of fixing Catalytic Converter and the scrap worth of catalytic converter.

How To Stop Catalytic Converter Theft (Tips On Prius Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention)

No. 1. Find out if your car’s catalytic converter is targeted.

Knowing if your make and model are a target is one of the best ways to prevent catalytic converter theft. NerdWallet says that the prime targets are Ford trucks, the Honda Element, and the Toyota Prius. Because the Prius emits very little emissions, its catalytic converter has more precious metals, such as rhodium and palladium.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that your Honda Civic is less vulnerable to being tampered with. If your car isn’t the primary target, you may not have to be as concerned.  My next video will show you a detailed list of car brands that thieves are most interested in their catalytic converters.

No. 2. Install the Touch Sensor Alarm System in your car.

To prevent the theft of your catalytic converter, you should add a touch sensor to your car. It will sound an alarm when it is touched. You can stay alert and be able to spot thieves, knowing that your car’s owner may be able to turn the alarm off. see this one here on Amazon for cheap.

No. 3. Install an anti-theft for catalytic converter on your car.

An anti-theft device can be an investment if your car is a target for theft of catalytic converters. There are many options available on the market, and each one can be different in terms of its pricing and application. They all work well to keep thieves away from your catalytic convertor. These are some of the most popular protection devices:

catalytic converter protection device

•  The metal plate that covers the catalytic converter. The Cat Security Cat Shield is a popular option, and can be purchased for anywhere between $160 and $500 depending on your vehicle.    See theses here on Amazon
•  A steel and rebar cage that,  thieves can’t cut through.  
•  Set of stainless steel cables, which wrap around the catalytic convert and attach to the car’s frame.  

You can either install the device yourself or hire a professional to do it. The labor costs can vary.  In the description box, I will link to a place where you can buy any of these anti-theft catalytic converters.

No. 4. Paint the catalytic convertor.

NerdWallet suggests painting your car’s catalytic convertor a bright, fluorescent orange with high-temp paint. A can of high-temp paint can be purchased at your local hardware store. You can then inscribe your vehicle’s VIN onto the converter. This will allow you to trace the converter if it is stolen. This can help deter thieves.

No. 5. Your car alarm should be turned up.

You can also increase the sensitivity of your car’s alarm system to discourage theft. If a thief attempts to climb under your car, the alarm system will go off. You can also install a motion sensor camera on your dashboard to capture the thief.

No. 6. You should make sure you have full car insurance coverage.

I recommend that you have your car fully insured, even though your car insurance may not deter theft. Your insurance policy will cover automotive parts that are stolen.

What Cars Are Targeted for Catalytic Converter Theft.

As means to preserve and reduce air pollution, beginning in 1970s, all automobiles of all kinds were required to have a catalytic convertor which actually reduces the emission of air polluting gases like carbon monoxide. Various catalytic converters are built with different kinds of valuable metal that in high demand with little supply which is why thieves target to steal them.  However, some cars are more at risk because of how the car is constructed and the metal used in building the vehicles catalytic converter. 

So what cars are targeted for catalytic converter theft and why?

The American Automobile Association (AAA) states that cars with a lot of space from the ground are more susceptible to catalytic converter theft. These types of vehicles include; vans, trucks, SUVs, e.t.c. However, buses and delivery vehicles can also be at risk.

Beside those, the NICB stated that hybrids and Toyota Priuses are also a major target because their converters tend not to wear out easily as much as those of other conventional automobiles. It was also reported that because Toyota Prius catalytic converter, have higher amounts of precious metals in them than other models which makes it more susceptible to theft.

Additionally, thieves also target the catalytic converters that they can sell for higher price in scrap value. This is where, the Ferrari F430, Dodge Ram, Ford Mustang, and Ford F250 become highly susceptible to theft, because they are highly expensive.  I will link to my list of the scrap value for various cars and their price. 

Why People steal catalytic converter from cars?

There are many reasons why people steal and target the catalytic converter of a car more than other parts in a vehicle. And the most common ones are.:

No.  1. Accessibility. – Catalytic Converters are easy to reach under your car. A thief only needs to cut through the connections between your catalytic converter and your exhaust system. They can then walk off with your catalytic convertor in a matter of minutes like nothing happen. To them, this is a better option than stealing the entire car when they can be caught. Basically, you can say, that stealing a catalytic converter to the thieves, is a lesser risk, takes less time, and can pay the thieves more with multiple steals from different vehicles. You might want to read this article here on how to fix a bad catalytic converter.

Which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen

So Which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen? Well, when you talk of the catalytic converters that are easy to steal, the list will not be complete if I fail to mention Toyota Prius, and this is because there is so little protection for the Toyota Prius catalytic converter which makes it easy to cut out. Other easy-to-steal targeted catalytic converters car brands are Lexus SUVs, Tacoma, and also Accord is one of the most targeted cars for catalytic converter theft.  So, if you own any of these cars, make sure to protect your catalytic converter with an anti-theft device. 

Now lets move on to the second reason Why People steal catalytic converter from cars

No. 2. Presence of Valuable Metals.  –  Catalytic Converters contain precious rare metals and some of them are worth more than their contemporary like gold and silver. Catalytic converter parts are made with platinum, rhodium, and palladium. For a few hundred dollars, thieves can sell catalytic converters at a metal scrap dealer easily and move on to the next as if nothing happened. 

No. 3. Due to Economic Turbulence. -With the hardship going high, the unstable economy contributes to the reason why people steal catalytic converter from cars. High unemployment leads to higher crime rates and more people seeking quick cash. Additionally, more people are unemployed or work from home which means that more vehicles sit idle for extended periods of time.

I hope you find this post on which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen and the prevention measure to take to be helpful. please share if it helped you.

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