I recently purchased a 2021 XLE. I’ll be honest: I don’t know a lot about cars. I have two inquiries.
First, given that the Prius has been the main target of the latest round of catalytic converter thefts, is the 2021 Highlander Hybrid’s catalytic converter similarly vulnerable? Is the catalytic converter equally accessible to service as the Prius, or is it somehow more protected?
Second, has anyone looked into possible safeguards? I’m aware that there are a few ways for securing or restraint the cat, but I’m curious whether anyone has first- or second-hand knowledge of these possibilities.
In This Article...
Are there catalytic converters in Toyota hybrids?
Why choose the Prius above other vehicles? Catalytic converters for hybrid vehicles must contain more precious metals than those for gasoline-only vehicles. According to the HLDI, a 2007 Prius converter is currently retailing for around $1,022, whereas a 2007 Ford F-150 converter costs just $143.
Exists a catalytic converter in the Toyota Highlander?
Catalytic converter replacement for a Toyota Highlander typically costs between $1,438 and $1,520. While parts are priced between $1,157 and $1,165, labor is predicted to cost between $282 and $355. Taxes and other fees are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or geographic area taken into account.
A catalytic converterdoes a 2021 Toyota Highlander have one?
The exhaust system on your 2021 Toyota Highlander includes the catalytic converter. The carbon monoxide produced during combustion is converted into carbon dioxide by the catalytic converter.
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.
Why are catalytic converters for Toyotas stolen?
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 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.
In a Toyota Highlander, where is the catalytic converter located?
The catalytic converter is often found in the exhaust system on the underbelly of an automobile or truck, between the engine and the muffler.
Is a catalytic converter present in a 2020 Highlander?
The exhaust system on your 2020 Toyota Highlander includes a catalytic converter. The carbon monoxide produced during combustion is converted into carbon dioxide by the catalytic converter.
A Toyota Highlander can be operated without a catalytic converter.
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.
How can the catalytic converter on a Toyota Highlander be safeguarded?
Utilizing security shields for catalytic converters is a further common method. These anti-theft security shields use solid materials and tamper-proof bolts to keep thieves from easily accessing the components. The removal of catalytic converters from vehicles is quite challenging due to these shields. They won’t waste time trying to gain access to your protected catalytic converters at the risk of being observed or even being caught by nearby people or the police because time is of the essence in such crimes. Instead, they will abandon the stolen plot and move on.
How much does a Toyota catalytic converter cost?
Depending on the car, you may require one or two brand-new Toyota catalytic converters, which cost roughly $2000.
At best, you can receive $1,000 for a Toyota cat converter, with Land Cruiser and Prius converters being the most desirable. Their scrap price is extremely high, but it’s still less than half of the original.
How much does a Ford catalytic converter cost?
Ford converters come in a range of prices but are often more affordable than other domestic models. Some catalytic converters from the late 1990s were laden with valuable metals and were worth more than $1000 as junk.
The majority of recent models, however, only have a few hundred dollars’ worth of scrap value whereas OEM prices range from $700 to $1,200.
How much does a GM catalytic converter cost?
Catalytic converters for General Motors are pricey, costing about $1,000 when new. They have a poor scrap value that ranges from $150 to $250.
- The cost of a GM AC/BL thin pipe catalytic converter is about $160.
- The cost of a GM AC/BL thick pipe catalytic converter is about $310.
- The cost of a GM medium 4Dot catalytic converter is approximately $216.
How much does a Jeep catalytic converter cost?
Catalytic converters cost between $1,300 and $1,400 from Jeep, and labor costs an additional $130 to $200. You shouldn’t expect to get more than $250300 for a Jeep catalytic converter if you want to sell it for scrap.
What catalytic converters bring the highest scrap price?
Because they typically include the most precious metals and are sought-after even as used parts, exotic cars command the greatest price.
Toyota Land Cruiser and Prius are the best-ranked common passenger cars. While Prius is a unique breed with two converters on a small-sized engine and can fetch a good price when sold all at once, Land Cruiser has enormous cat converters.
What is the best app to price catalytic converters?
Although RR Cats and Belanger Converter Recycling are two of the most well-liked apps, you may use any scrap yard company’s specialized app to request an estimate.
Try other companies and see who will give you the best pricing and delivery terms. To free up space and stop irritating notifications after the sale is over, just remove the apps.
How much is a catalytic converter worth on the black market?
Although a sizable portion of catalytic converters sold as junk are really stolen, technically there is no black market for them.
The challenge is establishing that a converter was taken, which is not the scrapyard’s fault. Any scrap yard will give you a reasonable offer if you want to trade in a converter that you obtained legally.
How much can I sell my catalytic converter for?
The sort of converter and where it came from determine the solution completely. While major domestic and foreign converters can bring in several hundred, if not thousands of dollars, an aftermarket converter is virtually nothing.
You can use one of the tables in this page to get a general idea of the price range for your converter, but you’ll need to receive an estimate from a scrapyard to get a precise pricing.