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...
What about the Lexus NX 300’s catalytic converter?
The exhaust system on your 2020 Lexus NX300 includes a catalytic converter. The carbon monoxide produced during combustion is converted into carbon dioxide by the catalytic converter.
Is there a catalytic converter in the Lexus NX?
The exhaust system on your 2015 Lexus NX 200t includes a catalytic converter. The function of the catalytic converter is to convert carbon monoxide produced during combustion into carbon dioxide.
Is it simple to steal a Lexus’ catalytic converter?
Because catalytic converters are simple to steal and its components can be sold for high prices, they are frequently stolen.
To accelerate the chemical reactions in catalytic converters, priceless metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium are used.
Catalytic converters are targets for thieves who profit by selling the parts to scrapyards or metal recycling facilities because they contain valuable elements. A regular catalytic converter can be stolen for anywhere between $25 and $300, and hybrid car ones can fetch up to $1,400.
Additionally, it’s not too difficult to reach these components from underneath the car. In general, catalytic converters dangle lower from the vehicle than other parts, making them simple targets for thieves to slide beneath the vehicle and cut them off.
A catalytic converterdoes a Lexus hybrid have one?
A modern car’s exhaust system includes catalytic converters, which are installed to lessen harmful emissions. They are stolen because of the palladium, platinum, and rhodium that they contain.
Particularly impacted are hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius, Honda Jazz Hybrid, and Lexus RX. Greater concentrations of these metalsup to seven gramsare found in the “cats” installed to hybrids, making them worth several hundred pounds on the illegal market.
“According to Laura Connelly, head of claims at Admiral insurance, criminals who take advantage of the situation frequently steal catalytic converters as they move between neighborhoods.
“However, there are instances where this isn’t the case, and there is evidence to support the notion that criminal gangs are responsible for these kinds of robberies. Profits from the sales of the precious metals used in catalytic converters might be used to finance even more serious crimes, not only in the UK but also internationally.
Here’s what you need to know, including how to lessen the likelihood that your car’s catalytic converter may be stolen.
How do Lexus catalytic converters appear?
Before they exit the car’s exhaust system, a catalytic converter changes the engine’s toxic exhaust gases into less dangerous ones.
The catalytic converter resembles a muffler in appearance. The standard housing is made of stainless steel and contains a ceramic honeycomb that is rich in platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These components assist in cleaning up dangerous exhaust gases that would otherwise be released through the tail pipe.
Are Lexus catalytic converters a target for theft?
Any vehicle with an exhaust system catalytic converter may be at danger. In the instance of Lexus, we are aware that the Lexus CT 200h and second-generation RX 400h models (2005-2008) have been targeted by thieves.
What is the price of a Lexus catalytic converter?
Catalytic converters are unfortunately expensive and easy to steal since they contain valuable metals. A Lexus IS 250 catalytic converter replacement might run you between $1,000 and $1,300.
The final cost to replace a Lexus IS 250 catalytic converter will depend on both the cost of the parts and the cost of labor in your location.
Fortunately, comprehensive insurance will cover loss of your catalytic converter as well as any extra damage to your car that may have occurred as a result of the theft. If you have this coverage, you are only liable for the deductible.
The Jerry app can be useful if, following this adventure, you decide that your auto insurance also needs to be replaced. Ideally, your insurance company will be helpful in this regard.
Jerry is a fantastic software for insurance comparison that collects information from your previous insurer, so you don’t have to fill out any lengthy forms or make any phone calls.
Jerry customers save an average of **$800+ every year88 on auto insurance and getting started takes less than a minute.
How much does a Lexus catalytic converter replacement cost?
Your ability to pass an emissions test will undoubtedly be impacted by a missing catalytic converter. A new catalytic converter for a Lexus RX 350 might cost between $1,000 and $2,200.
Unfortunately, catalytic converters are frequently stolen since they are made of pricey metals. The final cost to replace a catalytic converter on a Lexus RX 350 will depend on both the cost of the parts and the cost of labor in your location.
Fortunately, if you have comprehensive coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, catalytic converter theft is protected. Only the deductible is your responsibility.
Hopefully your insurance provider is helpful in this situation, however if you determine after this experience that your auto insurance needs to be replaced, download the Jerry app. Jerry is the top-rated insurance super app in America, saving users more than $800 year on vehicle insurance.
Starting up only takes 45 seconds, and Jerry will begin comparing dozens of comparative bids from the leading insurance providers in the country to find you the best offers available.
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: 19892020.
- Jeep Patriot, 20072017.
- Ford Econoline vans from 1990 to 222.
- Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks from 1999 to 2021.
- Chevy Equinox, model years 200521.
- Honda CR-V, which is available from 1997 until 2020.
- Toyota Camry, 19872019.
What can I do to keep my catalytic converter from being stolen?
Use a locked garage, regularly shift your car’s place, or park in well-lit areas close to exits for the general public. Install a theft prevention device. Install motion-sensitive lighting and cameras in your parking area. Some local police departments even provide free painting programs to dissuade purchasers by painting your catalytic converter.
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.
When are catalytic converters stolen from cars?
- Element Honda 20032011
- Forester Subaru, 1998-2020
- Ford Econoline 19902022
- 1999-2021 a Chevy Silverado
- Honda Accord 19892020
- 2001present Toyota Prius
- Subaru Outback, 200720
- Ford F-Series from 1985 to 2021
- Jeep Patriot, 20072017
- Toyota Tacoma, 19952021
Hondas and vehicles with a higher ground clearance are being targeted. The Sacramento State Police Department noted in a statement that these thefts have mainly occurred near Hornet Commons, Parking Lot 10, Parking Structure 5, and Folsom Hall.
A catalytic converter is standard equipment in all automobiles created after 1974. Criminals frequently use a jack and an angle grinder to quickly steal catalytic converters in order to get their hands on and sell the highly sought-after metals they contain.
Step 1: Contact the Authorities
You need to notify the authorities right away if you discover that your catalytic converter is missing. To determine if they can assist in the capture of the individual who took your converter, they will investigate nearby surveillance cameras. A police report can also be necessary for your insurance coverage.
Step 2: Contact Your Insurance Company
Your car insurance can pay for the replacement of your catalytic converter depending on your coverage. To find out your alternatives and whether you are insured, get in touch with your insurance representative.
Step 3: Visit a Mechanic
Finally, you ought to take your car to a mechanic for repairs. An professional can advise you on your repair alternatives and stop you from operating a vehicle without a catalytic converter.
Why are hybrid catalytic converters stolen?
The majority, if not all, of the products we offer here come from partners who pay us. This could affect the goods we write about, as well as where and how they appear on a page. However, this has little impact on how we evaluate things. We each have our own beliefs. Here is a list of our partners, along with information on how we get paid.
Theft of catalytic converters is on the rise everywhere. This anti-pollution gadget may be stolen in a matter of minutes, and thieves can sell it for several hundred dollars to scrap metal merchants in exchange for the precious metals it contains.
State Farm, a major insurer, reports that it handled more than ten times as many catalytic converter theft claims in 2021 as it did in 2020.
For the frequently targeted Toyota Prius, a replacement catalytic converter can cost up to $3,000, according to Colby Sandman, owner of Muffler Tech in Sacramento, California, who noticed an increase in thefts as the lockdowns took hold. These days, 15 to 20 stolen catalytic converters are replaced each day in his shop.
Sandman claims that since this type of theft is a “crime of opportunity,” closing that door will encourage the would-be thieves to target simpler targets.
Here are the best advice from mechanics and law enforcement organizations on how to prevent a frustrating situation and an expensive repair.
Get quick, nerdy advice on how to speed up the car-buying process before you even enter the showroom.
Are catalytic converters stolen from hybrid cars a common crime?
Your catalytic converters are in high demand from thieves. According to the most recent data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau as reported by Carfax, claims of catalytic converter theft increased by more than 1,200% between 2019 and 2021.
Compared to 3,969 thefts in 2019, there were 52,206 reported catalytic converter thefts in 2021. Since owners might not report the theft to their insurance provider, the figure could be larger. In any case, the startling increase implies that both new and used cars are at risk, and owners may be responsible for repairs and replacements that cost between $1,000 and $3,000, according to the NICB.
The pollution-controlling device, which has been required for the majority of passenger cars since 1975, resembles a little muffler and is installed in the middle of the exhaust system between the two axles. Thieves can easily gain access to it because it is beneath the car by sliding underneath it and cutting the exhaust pipe at either end.
Other than the fact that they are good for the environment, what makes catalytic converters so special? the priceless metals need to create them.
The sharp increase in catalytic converter thefts is a result of the soaring prices of platinum, palladium, and rhodium. According to Carfax, thieves may earn anything from $300 on regular cats to $1,400 on hybrid ones.
The number of thefts of these gadgets increases along with the price of precious metals, according to a statement from the NICB. Crisis situations, a lack of resources, and disruptions in the supply chain are all clearly related to these thefts.
Compared to other vehicles, some are superior targets. Given how common the models are in driveways and on streets, it should come as no surprise that the most popular automobiles are those that are most negatively impacted. Carfax analyzed service data from more than 60,000 service facilities across the US to determine the most prevalent thefts both nationally and by area.
The Toyota Prius hybrid had more thefts in the west region, proving that location matters, even if the most popular Ford F-150 had the largest number of cat thefts worldwide and in three of the four regions.
It did not specify the precise number of models impacted, but it did rank the vehicles according to volume:
What causes the theft of hybrid catalytic converters?
The catalytic converter of a hybrid car contains precious metals like palladium and platinum, which draw thieves who resell them for a profit.
Due to the fact that hybrid cars are typically battery-powered, their catalytic converters have a higher concentration of precious metals and are frequently less corroded. These metals are also extremely valuable to thieves.
Currently, platinum is worth almost two-thirds as much as gold, while palladium is even more valuable than gold. Therefore, it is not unexpected that criminals appear to be particularly interested in palladium.
We calculate that the average cost of a claim for a stolen catalytic converter is roughly $1,500 as these thefts become more frequent.