Catalytic converter thefts are one of the more common vehicle-related crimes, and police say they are on the rise in the United States. Unfortunately for Toyota owners, one popular model also appears to be the easiest target.
Thieves are allegedly targeting the Toyota Prius because of the vehicle’s relatively low curb weight. This makes it easier to jack up, and subsequently access the catalytic converter which is usually situated between the exhaust manifold and the muffler.
While thefts peaked during COVID with over 95,000 catalytic converter thefts reported in 2022, recent years have seen a decline in the crime.
The part tends to be targeted due to its value. Catalytic converters are made from a variety of precious metals, including platinum. This allows the converter to neutralize exhaust gases, ensuring what comes out the other end is mostly carbon dioxide, nitrogen compounds, and water vapor.
A skilled thief can remove a catalytic converter from a light hybrid in under five minutes. While it’s impossible to prevent the crime entirely, certain things may make your vehicle a harder target. Several law enforcement agencies, including the City of Madison Police Department, have highlighted how the Prius is being singled out and asked owners to be vigilant.
You can buy a catalytic converter shield, and this is likely the best deterrent. The thieves committing these thefts tend to rely on raw speed, and removing their ability to quickly sever the exhaust usually makes them move on to an easier target. These shields can be bolted or welded on, though welding is the more secure option.
Where you park also has an impact. A locked garage is obviously the best option, though a well lit area with regular foot traffic is also a solid choice. Vibration sensitive alarms may be enough to make a thief panic and flee. And as a last resort parking with the exhaust side of your vehicle close to a wall also makes quick access to the catalytic converter more difficult.
Unfortunately, this also means it’s a pretty expensive fix. Not even counting the damage to the tailpipe and other parts of the vehicle when a thief hacks one out, a catalytic converter replacement can set you back over $3,000. This may be particularly annoying, as the more unscrupulous junkyards tend to pay thieves as little as $300 per catalytic converter.
Your Toyota will run without a catalytic converter, but driving is a bad idea
You can’t really get by without one either. Your vehicle will run, but it will de facto lack both the muffler and the volume damping properties of the converter itself. You’re basically straight piping it, which makes it loud enough to get you pulled over in many places. Then there are vehicle inspections. If your state has those, your vehicle definitely isn’t passing if the catalytic converter is missing.
Beyond that, there’s the carbon monoxide risk. The deadly gas is one of the main compounds that the catalytic converter neutralizes. A missing catalytic converter usually means the exhaust pipe has been cut right below the driver and passenger seats. That deadly gas could be seeping up into the cabin every time you idle in your vehicle. At best, it causes grogginess which could lead to delayed reactions, accidents, or you blacking out at the wheel. At worst, it kills you.
If you don’t care about your own health, you should also be aware that vehicle performance might be affected. When the pipe is cut, the vehicle’s O2 sensors tend to get severed. It may put the vehicle in limp mode, and will definitely mess up the air/fuel ratio as your car’s on board computer no longer has the data it needs to get the mix right. It’s likely to run excessively rich as it pumps more fuel than necessary into the engine in an attempt to stop it from stalling.
If you have a garage within a couple of miles, you may be able to limp your Prius or any other vehicle that has been targeted in. But this is not a problem you can just ignore. Don’t continue with your daily commutes, grocery runs, or anything else if your car is missing a catalytic converter. Report the crime to your local police and get it fixed.
Many comprehensive insurance policies cover things like catalytic converter theft, so after you call the police your second call should probably be to your insurance provider.
