Sandman advises contacting a reputable neighborhood muffler shop and finding out whose vehicles have been targeted in your neighborhood. I called a business, and sure enough, they listed other nearby impacted vehicles that had frequently been seen in the shop for a catalytic converter replacement, including Ford pickups, Honda Elements, and Jeep Cherokees.
According to Sandman, the Prius is the most frequently stolen cat in the Sacramento region. The Prius is an ultra low emission vehicle with a catalytic converter that has a higher concentration of the metals rhodium, palladium, and platinum that neutralize pollutants.
Thieves frequently target trucks and SUVs because it is simple to slide under the car rather than jack it up. The catalytic converter may occasionally be unbolted by thieves, but more frequently, they simply use a battery-powered saw to cut the connecting pipes.
In This Article...
What year are the stolen Prius catalytic converters from?
The most popular vehicles in the West that catalytic converter thieves target are: 200121 Prius from Toyota Ford F-Series, 19852021 Honda Accord: 19892020.
How much are catalytic converters for Toyota Prius vehicles worth?
Replacement catalytic converters for Toyota Prius models typically cost between $2,142 and $2,174. While parts are priced between $2,036 and $2,040, labor costs are predicted to range between $106 and $134. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
What motivates criminals to steal Prius catalytic converters?
According to a recent study by the Highway Loss Data Institute, theft claim frequency for Toyota Prius cars from 2004 to 2009 was astonishingly 40 times greater in 2020 than in 2016 because of the valuable metals included in its catalytic converter (HLDI).
Thefts of catalytic converters have been rising across the country, going from about 100 per month in 2018 to more than 1,200 per month in 2020. This is due to the fact that recyclers are now willing to pay thieves more for the platinum, rhodium, palladium, and other metals found in the components.
Due to decreased mining output in recent years, which was a trend that was worsened by the epidemic, metal prices have skyrocketed.
Prius is currently being targeted because hybrid vehicles’ catalytic converters require more precious metals to function correctly because they don’t heat up as much as those found on traditional automobiles because their combustion engines only operate occasionally. To put it another way, Prius models provide burglars with a larger haul of precious metals.
Prius fleet owners should be aware of some specific statistics from the HLDI report.
The increase in claim frequency is notable, to begin with. In 2020, there were 58.1 theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years for Toyota Prius cars from 2004 to 2009, up from 1.4 claims in 2016. A more than 45-fold rise from $3 in 2016 to approximately $137 per insured vehicle per year in total stolen losses for those Prius vehicles in 2020. In comparison, the frequency of theft claims for all other 20042009 automobiles barely changed between 2016 and 2020, and total losses stayed around $7.
The analysis looks into pricing as well. Older Prius catalytic converters fetch a pretty price, and thieves appear to be aware of this and taking advantage of the trend.
Now compare those figures to the converter employed from 1999 to 2006 in General Motors automobiles like the Chevrolet Impala and Pontiac Grand Am. The converter used in the 2007 Ford F-150 FX4 was only $143, but they were valued at $269.
The bottom line: Compared to newer Prius models and practically any other vehicles on the market, older Prius models command top pay when it comes to selling catalytic converters to recyclers who reprocess them.
Catalytic converter theft is a persistent problem. 1,298 thefts of catalytic converters were reported in 2018, while 3,389 thefts were reported in 2019. The National Insurance Crime Bureau reports that reported catalytic converter thefts increased significantly to 14,433 in 2020.
What do thieves demand in exchange for a Prius catalytic converter?
Platinum, rhodium, palladium, and other precious metals with rising prices can be found in Prii’s catalytic converters. Due to the heat requirements of the hybrid engine, a hybrid’s catalytic converter requires more valuable metals.
Because of recent declines in mining output and the epidemic, prices for precious metals have risen. The necessity for more precious metals in catalytic converters has also increased as a result of recent improvements in fuel economy standards.
Catalytic converter thefts increased from 100 reported cases per month in 2018 to 1,200 reported incidents per month in 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
The HLDI database does not contain specific car parts that have been reported stolen, although extrapolations can be made based on average claims’ cost amounts. The data indicates an increase in claims between $2,501 and $3,000 for the 20192020 year, which is typically the cost of replacing a catalytic converter and exhaust system after deducting the deductible.
As prices have increased, businesses that buy scrap metal in bulk and have the tools to separate the metals from components have flourished. The majority of states have payment caps and demand that buyers record some sort of identification from the seller.
Catalytic converters are not stamped with vehicle identification numbers, making it challenging to identify stolen parts that are sold for scrap.
How can you park a Prius to prevent the theft of the catalytic converter?
By engraving the license plate number on your vehicle, parking in well-lit places, and installing an anti-theft device, you can assist prevent catalytic converter theft.
How can I tell whether the catalytic converter in my Prius was stolen?
Here are the main signs that your catalytic converter has been removed, to sum up:
- As you accelerate, the car makes a loud roar that gets louder.
- Increased exhaust emissions or strange exhaust odors
- missing components under the car leading to the exhaust.
- Lack of exhaust regulation causes uneven or sputtering acceleration.
Which automobiles are most susceptible to having their catalytic converters stolen?
Vehicles are equipped with converters to assist reduce air pollution. On the majority of automobiles, they have been mandated by the federal government since 1975.
Because the component contains valuable metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, thieves steal it. They either sell the stolen part for a high price or melt the metal.
According to a new list from CARFAX, the type of vehicle you drive may raise your risk of becoming a victim of theft.
According to the business that analyzes car history, these are the ten models that catalytic converter thieves in the U.S. target the most.
- Ford F-Series pickup trucks from 1985 to 2021
- Honda Accord 19892020
- Jeep Patriot, 20072017
- Ford Econoline vans from 1990 to 22
- Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks from 1999 to 2021
- Chevrolet Equinox 2005present
- Honda CR-V, 1997-2020
- Toyota Camry, 19872019
- Chrysler 200, 201117
- 2001present Toyota Prius
Models who are simple to crawl beneath undoubtedly make up a large portion of the list. According to CARFAX, hybrid vehicles use more precious metals in their catalytic converters, which increases their value. Vehicles like the Prius are on the list because of this.
How much is a used catalytic converter for a Toyota Prius worth?
When sold as scrap, Toyota catalytic converters can fetch between $75 and $700. Depending on the brand and model of the car, a catalytic converter’s price can change. The Toyota Prius has some of the most expensive catalytic converters.
Are stolen catalytic converters covered by insurance?
Is insurance coverage available for a stolen catalytic converter? Theft of a catalytic converter is normally covered if you have comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. Catalytic converter replacement and related damage repair are frequently covered under comprehensive insurance.
Toyota Prius: Are they simple to steal?
Older Prius catalytic converters fetch significant values on the scrap market.
According to a recent research from the Highway Loss Data Institute, a rise in the price of precious metals has rendered Toyota Prius vehicles that are more than ten years old a less likely target for thieves.
For Prius vehicles from 2004 to 2009, the incidence of theft claims increased by more than 40 times between 2016 and 2020, according to HLDI analysts. The Prius is being targeted since it is a hybrid vehicle and has valuable metals in its catalytic converter. Due to the fact that hybrids’ combustion engines only operate seldom, their catalytic converters require more precious metals to function properly because they don’t become as hot as those found on traditional automobiles.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts increased from around 100 per month in 2018 to more than 1,200 per month in 2020 as a result of greater pricing for platinum, rhodium, palladium, and other metals present in the components. Even though thieves target different types of automobiles, the catalytic converters from some models fetch greater prices from the recyclers that process them because they include more of the expensive metals.
In 2020, there were 58.1 theft claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years for Toyota Prius cars from 2004 to 2009, up from 1.4 claims in 2016. Overall theft losses for those Prius cars rose from $3 in 2016 to around $137 per insured vehicle year in 2020, according to HLDI, a more than 45-fold increase. In comparison, the frequency of theft claims for all other 20042009 automobiles barely changed between 2016 and 2020, and total losses stayed at around $7. (An insured vehicle year is a common industry measurement; it equals one insured vehicle for a year, two insured cars for six months, and so on.)
“According to Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI, auto thieves are aware of their market. “They appear to be aware of which catalytic converters, such those on the older Priuses, command the greatest prices because there is a high demand for them.
The HLDI database does not contain data on the particular component that was reported stolen in insurance claims, although the average claim’s monetary amount offers some hints. There was an increase in claims in the $2,501 to $3,000 range during the high-theft years of 201920. (about the amount needed to replace the catalytic converter and exhaust system, minus the deductible). Most claims for the calendar years 201617 were for losses under $500 or between $1,501 and $2,500.
Only marginal increases in claim frequency and overall theft losses were observed in newer Prius vehicles from 2010 to 2015. Only 1.3 claims per 1,000 covered vehicle years were made for 20102015 models in calendar year 2020, up from 0.8 in 2016. Similarly, overall theft losses for 201015 models in 2020 were $5, up from $3 in 2016.
Catalytic converters must be processed using complex machinery, however with the rise in the price of some metals, bulk scrap purchasers have exploded. Most states forbid cash purchases over a particular amount, and all but a few require buyers to record the seller’s driver’s license number or other legal identification. However, once stolen parts have been sold as scrap, it might be difficult to identify them because catalytic converters are not stamped with vehicle identifying numbers.
Due to decreased mining output in recent years, which was a trend that was worsened by the epidemic, metal prices have skyrocketed. The most modern catalytic converters need more of the pricey metals due to the recently tightened pollution rules.
What vehicles have the lowest risk of having their catalytic converters stolen?
The likelihood of a catalytic converter being stolen from a car is far lower if it is installed in the engine compartment. Catalysts are often less valuable for many American and some Asian auto companies. You can also purchase a car that is older, electric, diesel, or without a catalytic converter.
Certain Brand Cars
Due to the lower value of their catalytic converters, American brands like Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler are less likely to be stolen. This group includes several Nissan, Hyundai, Mazda, and Subaru cars.
Many brands employed cat-inspired designs that constrained the amount of precious metals present. The majority of thieves conduct adequate research to know to avoid using these brands.
Cars with Converters in the Engine Compartment
Instead of being further back on the vehicle’s exhaust system, the catalytic converter is often positioned in the engine compartment of some vehicles. It is significantly more challenging for a burglar to take it because of this design.
Theft will move on to a different model since no one wants to put in the extra effort to get to these kitties. This category includes numerous automobiles, including those made by Audi, BMW, Honda, and Volkswagen.
Cars Built Before 1974
You don’t have to be concerned about catalytic converter theft if your car was made before 1974. None of these cars are equipped with catalytic converters.
Following that, the authorities started cleaning up the pollution. Therefore, having a catalytic converter was required for all automobiles.
Electric Cars
Catalytic converters reduce the emissions from gasoline or diesel fuel. As a result, vehicles that run on electricity do not have catalytic converters.
There is nothing to clean because the car isn’t generating gaseous waste. There will be no use of gas or diesel power while the battery is charged by plugging into a power source. Popular options include the Tesla Model S, Volkswagen e-gold, and Audi E-Tron.
Diesel Vehicles
Compared to gasoline-powered automobiles, diesel vehicles employ a different kind of catalytic converter. The majority of converter burglars are aware that these aren’t as valuable as gas catalytic converters.
In most cases, rhodium, palladium, or platinum are not used in the construction of diesel converters or so-called particle filters. Thieves frequently abandon the diesel vehicle because they are after these rich metals instead.