Security is a major concern for any vehicle owner and making sure that your car is protected is crucial. Thieves will target your car, truck, or SUV for any number of reasons but some components are worth more than others. 

Catalytic converter thefts have risen exponentially in the last few years with an uptick of over 1,000 percent in the last four years, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau. This means that it is more important than ever to understand why catalytic converter thieves do what they do and how you can protect yourself and your vehicle. 

Thieves steal catalytic converters by cutting them out of the exhaust system using a reciprocating saw or other cutting tool. Generally, this is done in parking lots or other places where cars sit for extended periods without security cameras or other security measures in place. 

By knowing how thieves target cars and what they do with stolen catalytic converters once they have them, you can do what you can as a car owner to prevent theft and keep your vehicle safe. 

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### Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen So Often? 

The theft of catalytic converters has risen astronomically, especially in the last few years. While there are a few different reasons for this uptick, the main motivation is scarcity. 

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the supply chain for precious metals became backed up. Due to labor shortages and restrictions, the metals in catalytic converters could not be mined, which caused their value to skyrocket. Catalytic converter theft rings have become incredibly common because of this increased value and many people are getting theirs stolen, even in broad daylight. 

Stolen catalytic converters are not usually offered for sale as-is but there are plenty of opportunities to sell them on the black market. Many unscrupulous scrap yards will buy them and sell them to companies that specialize in scrap metals. 

The precious metals in the housing are then stripped and refined for resale. Most stolen catalytic converters can see a return of anywhere between $150 to $1500, depending on the type and the market at any given time. 

Some states are taking steps to reduce catalytic converter theft. In California, SB 1087 and AB 1740 require recycling companies to keep records of all catalytic converters and only allow their purchase from registered and approved dealers. Laws like these can be helpful but thefts will still occur, so it is best to protect yourself whenever possible. 

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### Vehicles Targeted the Most:

While any vehicle is susceptible to catalytic converter theft, some are more prone to it than others. Thieves are smart and they are well aware of which vehicles will be most likely to have higher-value catalytic converters. Knowing what cars are most susceptible can help you take precautions if you have one of them. 

#### 1. Hybrids 

![2021-toyota-prius-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/6HJ3BEOzXknF4HpxVWfC5y/ce6519d84ccf14a67430937424c355c5/2021-toyota-prius-ext.jpg)

Hybrids are like catnip to catalytic converter thieves and they are constantly targeted no matter where they are parked. This is because hybrids have such low emissions that even if they are older, their catalytic converters will still be in excellent shape. 

Catalytic converters are activated by heat and hybrid engines are not constantly running like they are with traditional vehicles. The 2001-2021 Toyota Prius is one of the most commonly-targeted vehicles of all time, despite its low ground clearance. This means that hybrid owners should be extremely wary about where they park their vehicles and for how long.  

#### 2. Pickup Trucks 

![2021-ford-f150-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/3baVMqiwuRWL4SDuY4vLGT/34d95dfee7f83de9b8cf55967bcf28a8/2021-ford-f150-ext.jpg)

Pickup trucks are routinely targeted by catalytic converter thieves due to their higher ground clearance, which makes it very easy to cut them away from the exhaust system. According to the NICB, the 1985-2021 Ford F-Series and 1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado are both very commonly targeted by thieves for their catalytic converters. 

While this could partially be due to the fact that these are incredibly common vehicles everywhere in the country, it is also because of how high they are off the ground. The faster a thief can get under the vehicle and get the auto part cut out, the more likely they will be to target that specific vehicle. 

#### 3. SUVs

![2021-chevrolet-equinox-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/qLysN6fExQy1xMjakRcxd/fd26681ec3a98230f3f204387697d8d8/2021-chevrolet-equinox-ext.jpg)

SUVs are becoming more and more popular with individuals and families of all kinds. Unfortunately, because of this popularity, and their high ground clearance, they are also more commonly targeted by catalytic converter thieves. The 2007-2017 Jeep Patriot, 2005-2021 Chevrolet Equinox, and 1997-2020 Honda CR-V are all on the NICB’s list of susceptible vehicles for converter theft. If you own one of these vehicles, it is a good idea to exercise caution whenever you park and leave your vehicle for any period of time. 

#### 4. Cars

![2020-honda-accord-ext](https://www.autolist.com/6tuem73u73an/46BLtxFfTRyrfkcmQng6Oh/f6859e896abe2f71218fbe5c21fa0f85/2020-honda-accord-ext.jpg)

While cars are lower to the ground and don’t have the same easy access to the catalytic converter that trucks and SUVs have, they are still a prime target for thieves. This is most likely because cars tend to have lower emissions than big, powerful trucks and SUVs, which means their catalytic converters will be cleaner and therefore worth more to recyclers and dealers. According to the NICB, the 1989-2020 Honda Accord and the 1987-2019 Toyota Camry are two cars with the highest rates of catalytic converter theft in the country. 

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### How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

While catalytic converter thefts are going up all the time, that doesn’t mean that you have to accept that yours will be stolen. There are things you can do to lower the chances that you will be the victim of this crime and ways that you can keep your vehicle safe. By knowing some of the most effective methods for preventing catalytic converter theft, you can save yourself a lot of money and keep your car in good working order. 

#### Park Smart 

The best thing you can do for yourself to protect your car from thieves is to be smart about when and where you are parking your car. Choosing well-lit areas and parking lots that have security teams on-site are your best options when it comes to keeping your catalytic converter intact. 

This is especially true in cities and urban centers that are known for vehicle vandalism and break-ins. Not only will this help you hold onto your catalytic converter but it will also prevent theft of other components or the entire vehicle. 

This is especially important if you need to leave your car for an extended period and want to be sure that someone will be keeping their eye on it during that time. 

#### Use Anti-Theft Devices 

There are several anti-theft devices available on the market for your catalytic converter. Some people use alarm systems that are triggered when there is a vibration on the catalytic converter. While this won’t stop thieves from carrying out the theft, it can be a startling deterrent and may attract unwanted attention, which can be effective in crowded places. 

You can also use cables and straps to keep the catalytic converter in place. These systems use a complex series of straps and clamps around the catalytic converter that can be an excellent deterrent for thieves. Some people go so far as to use welded metal cages that are very difficult to cut through. Any time you can present a deterrent or barrier to your catalytic converter, thieves will be less likely to take the time to try and get around it and will simply move on. 

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#### Stamp Your Catalytic Converter 

Many new catalytic converters come with the vehicle identification number of the car stamped on them. If you like, you can go even further and stamp your license plate number on the converter just to be sure. This way, if law enforcement agencies make a bust of a theft ring, they can return the converter to you if it is still intact. Making sure that you have the proper documentation to create a paper trail to the missing component can be a big help during an investigation and can even help take some of the thieves off the street. 

#### Make Sure Your Catalytic Converter is Insured 

If you want to protect yourself from financial liability in the event that your catalytic converter is stolen, having comprehensive coverage with your insurance company is a great backup plan. Many car insurance companies offer catalytic converter coverage as an add-on or with their bumper-to-bumper insurance policies. While this won’t prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen, it can save you a lot of money on replacement costs if it happens. 

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### What is a Catalytic Converter? 

A catalytic converter is an emission control device that sits in the exhaust system between the exhaust manifold and the muffler. Its purpose is to clean up the emissions using a redox reaction and keep as many harmful hydrocarbons out of the environment as possible. Catalytic converters use precious metals to neutralize emissions and make your vehicle run cleanly. 

These precious metals are what make a new catalytic converter so expensive. On average, you can expect to pay between $2,152 and $2,234 to replace one. Since 1975, most new vehicles are equipped with catalytic converters and most states require them as part of their vehicle emissions tests. 

### What Does a Catalytic Converter Do? 

Catalytic converters work by creating two different catalysts as your engine’s emissions pass through them. Using the precious metals platinum, rhodium, and palladium, the converter separates the molecules of the emissions from the internal combustion engine into nitrogen and oxygen. 

The nitrogen stays in the converter while the oxygen is emitted through the car’s exhaust. After that, the hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide in the emissions are burned on the heated catalyst, which reduces harmful emissions in the environment, makes your car greener, and reduces pollution in the air. 

### Where is the Catalytic Converter on My Car? 

For most vehicles, the catalytic converter is located between the engine and the muffler. The closer to the engine the converter is, the better, because there is less of a chance for the harmful emissions to dissipate before getting to the catalyst. 

In some cases, cars will have a smaller catalytic converter called a pre-cat. Pre-cats are usually located right after the exhaust manifold and get the most direct flow of emissions from the engine. If you have a very new car, the odds are good that it has both a pre-cat and a standard catalytic converter. 

### Final Thoughts 

Catalytic converter theft isn’t new but the skyrocketing value of them on the black market has certainly made it a more common phenomenon. While police departments are doing their best to crack down on thieves, it is still your responsibility to protect yourself and your vehicle. 

By knowing which cars are most commonly targeted and what you can do to prevent these thefts, you can keep your vehicle intact and save yourself a lot of money and trouble.

Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed in recent years, due to the high cost of the precious metals in them. Find out if your vehicle is among the most targeted by thieves, what a new catalytic converter costs, and how to help prevent yours from being stolen. 

Catalytic Converter Theft: Cars Targeted & How to Prevent It

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