What Cars Are Targeted Most for Catalytic Converter Theft?

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What Cars Are Targeted Most for Catalytic Converter Theft?

Catalytic converter theft continues to increase and run rampant throughout the United States.

Catalytic converters, the thing you never think about until you realize it's gone. The biggest clues your catalytic converter might have been stolen? A shockingly horrific amount of noise when you go to start your car and noxious fumes coming from underneath your car.

What exactly is a catalytic converter and why are they becoming such a highly sought after target for thieves that are out to make quick money? Catalytic converters are a part of your vehicles exhaust system. A central function that they have is to clean the emissions of both gasoline and diesel-fueled engines. Since 1975, this valuable component has been federally mandated to be on every new vehicle.

So what value do thieves find in this relatively obscure exhaust system component? Catalytic converters have three precious metals inside them: palladium, rhodium and platinum and according to the National Insurance Claim Bureau (NICB), theft of these parts has skyrocketed because this is what thieves are looking to cash in on.

Just to put things in perspective here, an ounce of rhodium is worth approximately $15,000. By comparison, an ounce of gold is worth around $1,800.

With the help of data compiled by the NICB and reports from repair shops throughout the United States, Carfax determined the 10 vehicles most commonly targeted for their catalytic converters and here is that list:

10. 2001–2021 Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius, especially the second-gen model produced from 2004 to 2009, is of particular interest when it comes to catalytic converter theft. This is due in part to the fact that its gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain’s engine doesn’t burn as hot as it would if it didn't have the powertrain’s electric motors. Because of this, more precious metals were used in the Prius's catalytic converter because that was what was required in order to clean the cooler exhaust that this car's engine produces. NICB notes that because a hybrid like a Prius puts less wear on its catalytic converter, these vehicles’ catalytic converters retain more value longer which is great for the bottom line of thieves.

9. 2011–2017 Chrysler 200

As the replacement for the much-maligned Sebring, the Chrysler 200 was a substantial step forward with regards to style, interior comfort, and performance compared to the Sebring which it replaced. Despite the fact that the hype for the 200 sedan faded away after 2017, love for this car rages on with catalytic converter thieves.

8. 1987–2019 Toyota Camry

The highly popular Toyota Camry is a Japanese-manufactured midsize sedan known for it's reliability. Despite the fact that driving excitement is not something that the Camry is typically known for, it's a hot target for those looking to make fast money from catalytic converter theft and as such, the Camry takes 8th spot on the list.

7. 1997–2020 Honda CR-V

The compact crossover SUV was basically created by the Honda CR-V when it arrived on the scene in the late 1990's. After 25 years on the market, the CR-V is still one of the best-selling SUVs and consequently, it's also one of the most popular targets for catalytic converter thieves because the cat on the CR-V is relatively easy to steal.

6. 2005–2021 Chevrolet Equinox

Car And Driver referred to the Chevrolet Equinox as "a wonderfully people-friendly tall car packing a great list of standard equipment at an inviting price.” As it turns out, it's not only those who are shopping for a reasonably priced and spacious compact SUV that are enamored by the Equinox. It's #6 placement on the list of cars targeted most for catalytic converter theft, tells you who's also in love with this vehicle...

5. 1999–2021 Chevrolet Silverado

Ground clearance is a highly sought after trait when it comes to full sized pickups. Unfortunately that clearance on the Silverado, like other pickups on the list, makes them common targets among catalytic converter thieves due to ease of access.

4. 1990–2022 Ford Econoline/E-Series

Do you know how much a stolen catalytic converter is worth? The NICB suggests that a typical cat can rake in anywhere from $50 - $250 a piece. That's a lot of money especially when you consider that an experienced catalytic converter thief only needs a matter of a few minutes to remove one. Do the math. With the number of Ford E-Series vans around, the ease of access to their catalytic converters, the amount of cover one can have when crawling underneath that behemoth of a vehicle in the dark of night to steal one, and it doesn't take long to understand why this people mover is #4 on the list of cars that are targeted most for catalytic converter theft.

3. 2007–2017 Jeep Patriot

Despite the fact that the Jeep Patriot was referred to as a "no joy ride” it's low-output four-cylinder engine and Jeep look proved to be appealing to many consumers considering the volume of sales this model has had. Unfortunately for owners of the Jeep Patriot, this "no joy ride" will be even more so of a "no joy ride" when it's prized catalytic converter goes missing. Which is likely to happen considering the Patriot stole 3rd place for cars targeted most for catalytic converter theft.

2. 1989–2020 Honda Accord

The Honda Accord is one of the best selling vehicles of all time. While it's consistently praised for it's hyper reliability and impressive fuel economy, thieves are more appreciative of the fact that stealing one of their catalytic converters takes mere minutes with the right tools and with how many of them there are scattered across the country, opportunities for quick illicit cash are in high abundance.

1. 1985–2021 Ford F-series

There are two important factors which drove the Ford F Series truck to the front of the pack on the list of vehicles targeted most for catalytic converter theft.

It's the best-selling vehicle in North America.
It affords excellent ground clearance which makes it easy for thieves to slither underneath and steal in just a matter of moments.

What Cars Are Targeted Most for Catalytic Converter Theft?

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