The catalytic converter is often found in the exhaust system on the underbelly of an automobile or truck, between the engine and the muffler. It resembles another muffler in certain ways.
In This Article...
Is it simple to steal a Honda Accord’s catalytic converter?
Honda automobile catalytic converters will sell for greater money when resold. They are quite simple to steal for thieves who use jacks and angle grinders to remove them.
How can I tell if the catalytic converter in my Honda Accord is stolen?
When you start the engine, you’ll be able to detect that your catalytic converter was stolen even though you can’t tell by looking at your automobile. Your car will produce a loud roaring sound when the catalytic converter has been removed, and the sound will increase louder as you press the gas pedal.
How much is a catalytic converter for a Honda Accord worth?
Catalytic converter replacement cost estimation for the Honda Accord. Replacement catalytic converters for Honda Accords typically cost between $2,319 and $2,466. The cost of labor is expected to be between $97 and $122, while the cost of parts is between $2,222 and $2,344.
The theft of Honda catalytic converters: why?
Considering how valuable they are to scrap metal dealers, catalytic converters are frequently stolen. Rhodium and platinum, two precious metals, are present in these converters. Depending on the size of the converter and the current prices for that specific metal during the selling period, these kinds of metals can be purchased in scrap yards for anywhere between $150 and $200 per unit.
All automobiles produced after 1974 are required to have catalytic converters. Cars of higher value to thieves than others. For instance, SUVs are more appealing targets because they are simpler to slip beneath. The likelihood of theft increases as your car becomes higher.
Chicago ranked first in converter theft in 2016. 980 converter thefts occurred in Chicago between 2008 and 2016, which is 15% greater than the 850 thefts that occurred in Sacramento, California.
A catalytic converter is not required for an automobile to operate.
The catalytic converter works as a component of an automobile’s exhaust system to lessen air pollution. Driving without a catalytic converter won’t in any way harm your engine or your vehicle.
Which automobiles are most susceptible to having their catalytic converters stolen?
These are the vehicles that need catalytic converters the most.
- Ford F-Series pickup trucks from 1985 to 2021 (F-150, F-250, etc.)
- Honda Accord: 1989–2020.
- Jeep Patriot, 2007–2017.
- Ford Econoline vans from 1990 to 222.
- Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks from 1999 to 2021.
- Chevy Equinox, model years 2005–21.
- Honda CR-V, which is available from 1997 until 2020.
- Toyota Camry, 1987–2019.
How should a catalytic converter be parked to prevent theft?
Anti-theft tools can be expensive, but they are frequently less expensive than buying a new catalytic converter. Discreet parking If possible, leave your car in a locked garage or an enclosed, well-lit lot the night before. If you park in a driveway, you might want to think about getting motion sensor lights.
How can I keep thieves away from my catalytic converter?
Three measures to prevent the theft of catalytic converters
- 1) Write the number from your license plate onto the catalytic converter.
- 2) Park in locations that are well-lit.
- 3) Set up a theft prevention system.
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
Which automobiles are most susceptible to having their catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters fitted in the engine compartment of vehicles are far less likely to be stolen. Less valuable catalysts are common in many American and some Asian automaker brands. A catalytic converter is not required to be installed when purchasing an electric, diesel, or older vehicle.
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.
How quickly can a catalytic converter be stolen?
How Are They Taken By Thieves? Unfortunately, it’s fairly simple to steal a catalytic converter. Typically, thieves use a reciprocating saw powered by a battery to slide underneath a car and cut the exhaust line directly. It takes around two to three minutes and generates the same amount of noise as any power tool.
How does the Honda Accord deter the theft of catalytic converters?
View our recently created Cat Shield for the 2.4L 2003–2007 Honda Accord. For the Honda Accord vehicles from 2003 to 2007, we have now created a Cat Shield. Visit the following link to get yours right away! For tips on how to keep your Accord safe from theft, keep reading. Get a Cat Shield for your Honda Accord.
Honda Accords have quickly risen on the thieves most wanted list of vehicles to target
Here are some explanations:
- Thieves will try to steal your converter if you have one of the “rarer” Accords out there, but they will steal practically any Accord converter. A Honda Accord with a SULEV sticker is sought after by thieves. Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle is referred to as SULEV. To achieve the lowest feasible emissions level, SULEV Accords were built with more precious metals than other Accords. On the black market, the value of these converters is among the greatest. There aren’t many of them, but if you encounter one, check to see if it has a SULEV sticker on the rear driver-side quarter panel window. If you have this sticker, remove it so that thieves won’t be aware of your converter unicorn.
- The converters in the 2.4L 4 cylinder 2003–2007 Accords are simple to steal. One major converter is the only one that is totally exposed.
Unfortunately it is difficult to make a shield for Honda Accords for three reasons.
- The converter is totally exposed, and there are no features or mounting locations that may be used to create a shield. It will take time to try to engineer a design that will be efficient and not too expensive, but it doesn’t mean we won’t try.
- In comparison to OEM converters, there are several aftermarket converters for Accords that are less expensive (with the exception of the SULEV Accords). When weighed against the price of a replacement converter, the expense of a shield and installation might not be worthwhile.
- There aren’t many Accords with original equipment converters. We cannot guarantee fitment for aftermarket components because all of our shields are individually created and fitted for OEM converters. Our shields might not be compatible with Accords that have aftermarket converters because there are so many of them.
Here are some helpful tips that may save your catalytic converter
- If you have a SULEV sticker, remove it.
- Include a V6 emblem on your car. Due to the fact that the V6 Accord has three converters, two of which are situated close to the engine and are challenging to steal, these cars may be less likely to be stolen. A burglar might be aware of this and consider whether to try to take the converter by looking for a dual exhaust, which is a feature of V6 Accords, or the V6 insignia.
What is the scrap value of a catalytic converter from a Honda Accord?
A catalytic converter’s average scrap value ranges from $300 to $1,500. Because it is made of precious metals, this component is one of the most expensive ones in a car.
How much are catalytic converters worth to thieves?
Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the theft of catalytic converters, and law enforcement agencies around the nation are acting as a result.
In Los Angeles After noticing an increase in catalytic converter thefts since the start of the pandemic, U.S. law enforcement authorities are taking action.
“We’ve witnessed instances when they immediately grab the jacks, jack them up, shut them off, and keep an eye out for security, similar to NASCAR. The police typically purchase these products for $300 each, earning 10 to 20 per night “explained Detective Michael Ventura with the Los Angeles Police Department.
Tens of thousands of truck and car owners have suffered financial hardship as a result of the dramatic increase in catalytic converter thefts across the country, and the police have grown increasingly frustrated by the crime, which can be easily committed in a matter of minutes and is challenging to solve even if the parts are recovered.
The Phoenix Police Department recently seized more than 1,200 converters from a single storage unit in Arizona.
Since serial numbers are not inscribed on catalytic converters at the factory, stolen converters end up on the black market where they are cut open for the pricey metals they hold.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, an organization of the insurance industry that aims to combat insurance fraud and crime, replacing one can cost a driver between $1,000 and $3,000. According to the police, thieves might make between $100 and $150 each converter.
Just 3,969 reports of stolen catalytic converters were tallied by the insurance company in 2019, more than 17,000 in 2020, and more than 52,000 in 2017.
Which automobiles have catalytic converters worth the most money?
The Ferrari F430 reportedly had the most costly catalytic converter, with a whopping $3,770.00 price tag, according to data from 2020. In addition, the F430 required two of these, costing $7,540 before labor for a complete replacement.
Despite the fact that the converter for the Lamborghini Aventador is officially the third most expensive, at $3,120, we’re ranking it second since, like the F430, it needs two converters. The total cost of replacement now stands at $6,240. If you can buy a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, you can probably afford a catalytic converter at any price, it practically goes without saying.
Although it is not as unique as a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, the car with the second (or third) most expensive catalytic converter has a highly well-regarded vehicle line. The Ram 2500, which costs $3,460 for a catalytic converter, has that distinction.
The Ford F-250, which is the fourth most costly car, will cost drivers $2,804, which is a big discount from the top three. The Ford Mustang rounds out the top five with a comparatively low price tag of $1,500. Depending on the type and model of the car, the average catalytic converter costs between $800 and $1,200. In general, the converter costs more the bigger the engine.
Remember that only the cost of the converter unit is included in these costs. If you have a damaged converter, additional exhaust components and labor costs may increase the overall cost of repair.