Catalytic converter theft is an increasingly serious issue in Canada. Thieves will cut catalytic converters out of vehicles parked in isolated areas or in the middle of the night, making off with the precious metals inside while unsuspecting car owners are left with a hefty repair bill. In Canada, more than 150,000 catalytic converters were stolen in 2022 alone.
If you’re concerned catalytic converter theft could happen to you, read on to find out what it is, why it’s a growing problem, and what you can do to protect yourself.
Catalytic Converter Theft Explained
- What are Catalytic Converters?
- Why do Thieves Target Catalytic Converters?
- How do I Know if My Catalytic Convertor has been Stolen?
- How Much does a New Catalytic Convertor Cost?
- How to Prevent Catalytic Convertor Theft
- Which Cars are Most Likely to have their Catalytic Convertors Stolen?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What are Catalytic Converters?
A catalytic converter is part of a vehicle’s exhaust system. Its job is to convert toxic engine emissions such as carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and hydrocarbons (or unburned fuel) into less toxic pollutants like carbon dioxide. It does this with the precious metals inside such as platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which act as a catalyst with those toxic chemicals to convert them through a chemical reaction—hence the name catalytic converter. Approximately 90% of toxic emissions are removed from a vehicle’s exhaust by its catalytic converter.
Why do Thieves Target Catalytic Converters?
Theft of catalytic converters is driven by the precious metals inside. Thieves get big money for catalytic converters on the black market from scrap metal dealers or recyclers who can melt them down to access the valuable metals inside. Catalytic converters are relatively easy to steal since they’re usually exposed on the underside of the vehicle. The rate of catalytic converter theft is often tied to the price of the precious metals they contain: when the value of platinum, palladium and rhodium rises, so does the number of catalytic converter thefts.
How do I Know if My Catalytic Convertor has been Stolen?
Many car owners find out they’ve had their catalytic converter stolen when they start their vehicle the following day and find it runs unusually loudly. The sound is sometimes described as being loud enough to wake the entire neighbourhood. Following up this clue with a peek underneath your car will confirm it: if you see roughly cut pipes and a missing section of exhaust between your car’s engine and muffler or exhaust pipe, then your car has been targeted and the catalytic converter has been removed.
How Much does a New Catalytic Convertor Cost?
The price of a replacement catalytic convertor depends on the model of the vehicle, but regardless, it’s not cheap: the cost of buying and installing a new catalytic converter can range from $500 to $5,000 or more on average, when factoring for auto parts and labour. The good news is that if you have comprehensive coverage as part of your vehicle’s auto insurance, you’re likely covered for some or all of these costs. However, if your car is covered by liability insurance only, then these costs are likely not covered. Check with your car insurance company if you’re not sure whether catalytic converter theft is covered under your insurance policy and whether the replacement cost would be more or less than your deductible.
How to Prevent Catalytic Convertor Theft
If you live in major metropolitan areas such as Toronto or other large cities in Ontario, Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, or Vancouver, you’re more likely to be a victim of catalytic converter theft.
The easiest way to protect yourself from catalytic converter theft is to make it difficult for thieves to target you. Park your vehicle inside an enclosed garage or, when that’s not an option, in well-lit areas and parking lots that receive plenty of traffic. A visible camera can act as a deterrent as well.
If you’d like to take extra steps, consider purchasing a catalytic converter lock or shield anti-theft device as an extra layer of security. Thieves who encounter these barriers are more likely to give up on your car and move on to their next target. If you have a car alarm installed and can set it to go off when triggered by vibrations, this may trigger the alarm when thieves apply a saw to the exhaust and might cause them to flee.
In some jurisdictions, metal scrap buyers are being required to track and report to law enforcement on who sells catalytic converters to them, which may help curb catalytic converter theft in those areas. Etching a car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) onto its catalytic converter can also help curb theft as it would make the part easily traceable back to its owner and therefore harder for thieves to sell. Some police departments in areas hard-hit by catalytic converter theft have held events where car owners can have their vehicle’s VIN engraved on its catalytic converter free of charge.
Which Cars are Most Likely to have their Catalytic Convertors Stolen?
Older cars tend to be targeted more frequently since they lack the modern security features equipped in newer models. Vehicles with more ground clearance such as SUVs and trucks are easier to get underneath, which makes them more frequent targets as well. Some of the vehicles that authorities have named as being frequently targeted in Canada include the Hyundai Tucson, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sportage, Toyota Prius, Ford F-150, Honda Element, Honda Pilot, and Mitsubishi RVR.
The only vehicles that are definitely not potential targets for catalytic converter theft are electric vehicles. Since they don’t produce emissions, they don’t require catalytic converters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Why do people steal catalytic converters?
Thieves steal catalytic converters to obtain the precious metals inside so they can resell them as raw materials.
What are the consequences for catalytic converter theft?
If your catalytic converter is stolen, it’s not recommended that you drive your vehicle until you get it fixed as you and the people around you will be exposed to toxic emissions.
What does the catalytic converter do?
A car’s catalytic converter changes the toxic chemicals in vehicle exhaust into less toxic pollutants by creating chemical reactions.