However, not all catalytic converters are sought-after by thieves. Some models are more valuable because they include more precious metals. Other cars purify exhaust fumes more effectively, so the valuable metals in their converters aren’t rusted or tainted as much.
If you drive one of the following makes or models, you might want to adjust how you park or make a purchase to secure your catalytic converter:
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Toyota Prius
For Prius hybrid vehicles manufactured between 2004 and 2009, catalytic converter theft reportedly surged 40-fold in 2020. Over the past 24 months, around 6% of insured ’04-’09 Prius owners filed insurance claims for Prius converter theft, compared to less than 0.1 percent in 2016. This is due to the regular second-generation Toyota Prius catalytic converter’s (CD3+EA6) average scrap price of nearly $1,000.
It’s riskier to purchase an older Prius because catalytic converter changes might be expensive as well. In extreme cases, a catalytic converter thief might also cause damage to other crucial parts, which might even cause the automobile to be written off. You obviously don’t want this to occur to you.
If you have an earlier Prius model, you might want to sell it and buy a more recent model that is less likely to be broken into. Even a 2017 Prius is a wiser purchase because it still gets good fuel economy and their catalytic converter can be scrapped for less than $500, making the risk of theft much reduced.
Trucks
Trucks like the Toyota Tacoma and Tacoma are common candidates for converter theft because of their greater ride height. Thieves may simply slide underneath the car, remove the catalytic converter, and go on their way without having to jack it up.
Hybrid Vehicles
The most vulnerable vehicles to catalytic converter theft are hybrid SUVs and automobiles. This covers all hybrid automobiles, including the Toyota Prius, Honda Insight, RAV4 Hybrid, and Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid. Always protect your hybrid car against cat theft by adhering to the advice below.
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.
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 can I prevent the theft of my car’s catalytic converter?
Three measures to prevent the theft of catalytic converters
- 1) Write the number from your license plate onto the catalytic converter. Law enforcement can identify the part because of this.
- 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
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.
Why do Toyota catalytic converters keep getting stolen?
WBTV – SALISBURY, N.C. The Toyota Prius is the car most likely to be the target of catalytic converter theft, according to police in Salisbury, who are warning motorists about the surge in catalytic converter theft.
The Salisbury Police Department announced on its social media page that there have been 45 recorded catalytic converter thefts since January.
The Toyota Prius, SUVs of all makes, pickup trucks of all makes, vans (mainly Honda), passenger cars (primarily Honda), two U-Haul trucks, and one box-style truck are the vehicles that have experienced the most thefts.
It should be highlighted that thefts of catalytic converters from Toyota Prius vehicles are at a national high. Because the Prius is a hybrid, according to auto experts, the catalytic converter corrodes less than those in other vehicles, maintaining the precious metal coating in better condition. It costs between $2700 and $4100 to replace, making it one of the most expensive appliances.
Rhodium and platinum are valuable metals that thieves take from catalytic converters. The valuable metals can be converted into cash by scrap metal recyclers, who frequently work legally and are not aware of the theft. The National Insurance Crime Bureau estimates that the recycling value of each converter might range from $20 to $250.
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.
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.