How Many Catalytic Converters Were Stolen in 2022? As Many As 153,000
Catalytic converter theft has been a serious threat to car owners for years, but it turns out there have been far more incidents than previously reported, new Carfax data shows – as many as 153,000 in the U.S. in 2022.
Carfax data scientists came up with that estimate after a deep dive into catalytic converter replacements from millions of service records. The total is up 2% from 2021 when media reports had put the number of insurance claims for catalytic converter replacements at roughly 52,000.
Carfax data scientists looked at all catalytic converter replacements across the U.S., not just those that were part of an insurance claim. They took into consideration converters that were replaced because they were defective or had been recalled by the manufacturer, converters replaced because they were too old and failing, and converters stolen off of cars sitting on dealer lots.
Clearly, thieves aren’t picky about whom they target. They’re committing “opportunistic crimes,” says Sgt. Matt Casavant with the Maine State Police. “Parking lots – even ones that were well-lit – were getting hit. Car dealerships are getting hit regularly, too. The thieves were so brazen that it didn’t matter,” Casavant said.
These thefts still top the news – even the well-known Oscar Mayer Wienermobile reportedly had its catalytic converter stolen in Las Vegas last month.
Those earlier numbers were derived from insurance claims, but the reality is that many car owners don’t file a claim. Why?
- Some car owners don’t carry insurance.
- Owners of older vehicles may not have comprehensive coverage which would cover this kind of damage.
Getting a replacement catalytic converter isn’t cheap: Experts say they can run from $2,000 to $3,000.
Why Are Catalytic Converters Stolen?
Thieves hope to make a big payday by melting down the precious metals found in the anti-pollution devices – namely, platinum, palladium, and rhodium.
Platinum, for example, was recently trading at $970 per ounce, and palladium was at about $1,330 an ounce. Rhodium – fasten your seatbelts for this one – was going for roughly $10,000 per ounce. In comparison, gold was a mere $1,850 per ounce. Prices fluctuate frequently, so those numbers are subject to change.
These metals are expensive because there is high demand and limited supply globally, which is why gold is being explored as an alternative for the future.
Thieves can make anywhere from $25 to $300 for a standard catalytic converter, experts say. Ones from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1,400.
Do Hybrid Cars Have Catalytic Converters?
Yes, all gas-powered hybrid cars have catalytic converters. Because the engines in hybrid cars don’t run as hot as the engines in conventional cars – since hybrids often are running on battery power – they need more of those precious metals in their converters for them to cut emissions effectively.
Why Are Hybrid Vehicles Targeted for Catalytic Converter Theft?
Why hybrids? It’s because more precious metals are needed for a hybrid’s catalytic converter. Hybrid engines do not run as often, so their exhaust does not get as hot.
How Much Platinum Is in a Catalytic Converter?
How much of these precious metals reside in a specific catalytic converter varies, but many current models have only 6 or fewer grams of all three combined (there are 28.35 grams in an ounce). Depending on how much of each metal there is, their value could be as little as $200 or more than $1,000, so there is some real value hidden inside catalytic converters.
These devices are not new – catalytic converters have been federally required as an emissions-control device since 1975 for most non-commercial vehicles. As these lists demonstrate, thieves target a wide variety of models, regardless of the size of the vehicle, its age, or the automaker’s home country.
Which Cars Are at Risk of Having Their Catalytic Converter Stolen?
Top Cars Targeted Nationwide
There’s a wide range of vehicles in play. Not surprisingly, some of the most popular nameplates of the past two decades are top targets. What’s surprising is that it’s not just one type of car – targeted vehicles range from family sedans such as the Honda Accord, to SUVs such as the Chevrolet Equinox, all the way up to full-size pickup trucks from Ford and GM. The list of most-targeted vehicles remained fairly consistent from 2021 to 2022, with the exception of the popular midsize pickup truck, the Toyota Tacoma, and the Ford Explorer SUV, both of which saw a large increase in thefts last year.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | — |
| 2 | HONDA | ACCORD | — |
| 3 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | +4 |
| 4 | HONDA | CR-V | +2 |
| 5 | FORD | EXPLORER | +9 |
| 6 | FORD | ECONOLINE | -2 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET | EQUINOX | +1 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET | SILVERADO | -3 |
| 9 | TOYOTA | TACOMA | +15 |
| 10 | CHEVROLET | CRUZE | +5 |
Top Cars Targeted in the West
Location matters! The West has many of the same top targets as the national list, but the Prius is the most-targeted vehicle instead of the Ford F-Series pickup, no doubt because the hybrid is incredibly popular in areas – such as California – with high gas prices and strict emissions laws. Subaru models are also popular in the mountainous regions of the West, where drivers like the standard all-wheel drive (AWD). This list covers cars in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | — |
| 2 | HONDA | ACCORD | — |
| 3 | HONDA | CR-V | — |
| 4 | TOYOTA | TACOMA | +1 |
| 5 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | -1 |
| 6 | SUBARU | FORESTER | — |
| 7 | TOYOTA | CAMRY | +1 |
| 8 | FORD | ECONOLINE | -1 |
| 9 | FORD | EXPLORER | +1 |
| 10 | NISSAN | NV | +12 |
Top Cars Targeted in the Southwest
It’s no surprise to see so many trucks and SUVs from the wide open spaces of the Southwest. Compared to 2021, the Tacoma was targeted more often in 2022, as was the Ford Expedition SUV. This area includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | — |
| 2 | TOYOTA | TUNDRA | +5 |
| 3 | TOYOTA | TACOMA | +11 |
| 4 | CHEVROLET | SILVERADO | -2 |
| 5 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | -2 |
| 6 | HONDA | ACCORD | — |
| 7 | FORD | EXPEDITION | +14 |
| 8 | HONDA | CR-V | +5 |
| 9 | MITSUBISHI | OUTLANDER | +6 |
| 10 | FORD | EXPLORER | +2 |
Top Cars Targeted in the Plains
Pickup trucks top this list of targeted vehicles from the Plains states, but the biggest gainer was the Kia Soul compact SUV. This list covers cars in Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | — |
| 2 | CHEVROLET | SILVERADO | +1 |
| 3 | CHEVROLET | EQUINOX | -1 |
| 4 | FORD | ECONOLINE | — |
| 5 | HONDA | CR-V | +1 |
| 6 | FORD | EXPLORER | +9 |
| 7 | HONDA | ACCORD | +4 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET | CRUZE | — |
| 9 | KIA | SOUL | +21 |
| 10 | JEEP | PATRIOT | — |
Top Cars Targeted in the Midwest
In the Midwest, the Ford Explorer SUV made a big leap up the list compared to 2021. This list covers cars in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | +1 |
| 2 | CHEVROLET | EQUINOX | -1 |
| 3 | HONDA | CR-V | — |
| 4 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | +1 |
| 5 | FORD | ECONOLINE | -1 |
| 6 | FORD | EXPLORER | +8 |
| 7 | BUICK | ENCORE | -1 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET | CRUZE | +4 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET | TRAX | +4 |
| 10 | HONDA | ACCORD | -1 |
Top Cars Targeted in the Northeast
In the Northeast, it should surprise no one that Subarus appear; they’re ubiquitous on New England roads because of their standard AWD. This list covers cars in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HONDA | CR-V | +1 |
| 2 | HONDA | ACCORD | -1 |
| 3 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | +1 |
| 4 | TOYOTA | CAMRY | -1 |
| 5 | SUBARU | FORESTER | — |
| 6 | FORD | EXPLORER | +2 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET | EXPRESS | +2 |
| 8 | SUBARU | OUTBACK | -2 |
| 9 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | +9 |
| 10 | FORD | ECONOLINE | — |
Top Cars Targeted in the Mid-Atlantic
In this region, the affordable Mitsubishi Outlander saw a big increase in catalytic converter thefts compared with 2021. This list covers cars in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HONDA | CR-V | +2 |
| 2 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | — |
| 3 | HONDA | ACCORD | -2 |
| 4 | FORD | EXPLORER | +1 |
| 5 | MITSUBISHI | OUTLANDER | +17 |
| 6 | TOYOTA | CAMRY | -2 |
| 7 | FORD | ECONOLINE | +4 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET | EQUINOX | -2 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET | CRUZE | -2 |
| 10 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | -1 |
Top Cars Targeted in the Southeast
In the Southeast, the list remains fairly consistent with 2021’s rankings. This area includes Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | — |
| 2 | HONDA | ACCORD | +1 |
| 3 | FORD | ECONOLINE | -1 |
| 4 | TOYOTA | PRIUS | +1 |
| 5 | HONDA | CR-V | +5 |
| 6 | CHEVROLET | EXPRESS | -2 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET | SILVERADO | — |
| 8 | CHEVROLET | EQUINOX | -2 |
| 9 | CHEVROLET | CRUZE | -1 |
| 10 | KIA | SOUL | +5 |
Top Cars Targeted in the South
In the South, the Mitsubishi Outlander, Ford Explorer, and Kia Soul saw huge jumps in thefts compared to 2021. This area includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
| Rank | Make | Model | Rank Change from 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FORD | F SERIES TRUCK | — |
| 2 | MITSUBISHI | OUTLANDER | +57 |
| 3 | HONDA | ACCORD | +2 |
| 4 | KIA | SOUL | +10 |
| 5 | FORD | ECONOLINE | -2 |
| 6 | FORD | EXPLORER | +10 |
| 7 | CHEVROLET | SILVERADO | -1 |
| 8 | CHEVROLET | TRAVERSE | +7 |
| 9 | FORD | EXPEDITION | +18 |
| 10 | TOYOTA | TACOMA | +8 |
What Are Signs of a Stolen Catalytic Converter?
If your catalytic converter has been stolen, you will know immediately – it will be LOUD. A catalytic converter is positioned between your car’s engine and muffler. If it is removed, your exhaust will no longer be flowing through your muffler, so you’ll have a lot of noise to deal with. Here are the signs of a stolen catalytic converter:
- Loud noise
- Smellier or darker exhaust
- Sluggish, sputtering acceleration
- Check Engine light will illuminate
- Damage under your vehicle
Driving with a missing catalytic converter is bad for your vehicle, so if you suspect yours was stolen, have your car checked out immediately.
How Can You Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft?
Some protections are common sense – the same steps you would take to prevent car theft. Experts suggest:
- Park in a well-lit area, especially when it comes to fleet vehicles, which many businesses own.
- Park in your garage instead of in the driveway or on the street.
- Always be aware of the area around where your vehicle is parked.
- Install a catalytic converter anti-theft device.
- If you have to park in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights.
- Have a muffler shop etch your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the converter and spray it with highly visible, high-heat paint. Doing so enables law enforcement to track the converters, which in turn could lead police to the thieves.
What Should You Do If Your Catalytic Converter Is Stolen?
- Contact the police. The sooner they know about the theft, the better the odds – albeit slim – that they can find the thieves.
- Check your insurance policy to see if the theft is covered. If your vehicle only carries liability insurance, it’s likely not a covered event.
- Get your catalytic converter replaced immediately. As you can see above, it’s unwise to drive your vehicle without one.
Lawmakers Tackle the Problem
A law enforcement crackdown may be partially responsible for the leveling off in thefts. The U.S. Department of Justice recently launched a coordinated action against a national network of thieves and resellers in nine states that led to more than 20 people being arrested or charged. New legislation and other efforts are also contributing to the number of thefts easing, experts say. In addition, state and local governments across the country have targeted the flow of these pricey parts.
One big issue for police is that catalytic converter thefts are hard to track. Converters typically don’t have a VIN stamped on them. Ultimately, thieves (or their partners) melt down the precious materials inside, making it hard to assign blame.
As the size of the stolen catalytic converter market continues to grow, federal and state legislators and law enforcement groups are stepping up to battle thieves.
Bills have been introduced across the country, and several have already become law. Although they may differ slightly in their approach, the goal remains to lessen the incentive – and ease – for criminals to sell catalytic converters. If both decline, so should thefts, officials believe.
Among the efforts under way:
- Requiring new vehicles to have a VIN stamped onto the converter to allow law enforcement officers to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originate
- Creating a grant program through which entities can stamp VIN numbers onto catalytic converters of existing vehicles
- Mandating that anyone selling a catalytic converter to a scrap dealer be at least 18 years old and show identification and proof of ownership
- Tightening recordkeeping requirements for scrap metal dealers
Many of these laws would mandate fines and/or jail time for perpetrators.
Next Steps
If you have questions about this story, please contact us at Editors@carfax.com
