Owners of Toyota Prius models have to be extra careful when they park their cars these days. A spate of Prius catalytic converter thefts have swept across North America, with owners often footing the bill.
Updated September 2021: If you own a Toyota Prius, and you're worried someone might steal the catalytic converter fitted to your car, we've updated this article with more relevant information, as well as some tips to help keep your car safe and potentially save you thousands of dollars.
These hybrid vehicles were once the must-have car when it came to EVs. However, people might start to think twice about investing in a Prius due to the risk of being targeted by thieves.
While theft of catalytic converters is on a rise for all brands and models, police say the Toyota Prius is now the most targeted car when it comes to catalytic converter theft.
The thefts have left Prius owners shelling out thousands of dollars in repair bills. But why have so many Prius catalytic converters been stolen in recent times?
Let's take a look at why Toyota Prius catalytic converters are going missing from their vehicles in their thousands.
How Catalytic Converters Work
Before we understand why the thefts are happening, we need to understand how catalytic converters work. Catalytic converters are used in automobiles to help cut down the harmful emissions that come from them.
Essentially, they work to change chemicals like nitrogen dioxide, nitric oxide, and carbon monoxide into something less harmful. The converter creates a chemical reaction that alters those hazardous chemicals into less harmful ones like carbon dioxide and water vapor.
A specially-coated honeycomb structure on the inside of the catalytic converter is what causes the chemical reactions to occur. The coating typically uses precious metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. Without these precious metals, these chemical reactions cannot occur.
Why Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Thefts Keep Happening
As with most car-related crimes, there is money to be made from stealing catalytic converters from a Toyota Prius. Because of the precious metals used to create chemical reactions, catalytic converter prices are high.
Thefts of catalytic converters have been steadily on the rise in recent years, and this trend shows no signs of slowing.
The Toyota Prius is a hybrid, so it must be as environmentally friendly as possible. That's why the Prius comes with some of the best catalytic converters installed on commercial vehicles.
Hybrid cars are mainly targeted for their converters because they corrode much less. The better that precious metal coating is preserved, the more thieves can make through illegal trading.
Rhodium is commonly used in hybrid catalytic converters, and its value has skyrocketed in recent years, reaching a value of $14,000 per ounce. It's easy to see why stealing catalytic converters is such an attractive prospect to someone looking to make fast cash.
Unfortunately for Prius owners, if a catalytic converter is stolen, it isn't cheap to replace it. Finding and installing a catalytic converter replacement can cost between $2,700 and $4,100. Not only does the converter have to be replaced, but the damage caused by sawing out the converter must be repaired.
How Do People Steal Prius Catalytic Converters?
This rise in thefts may be because car manufacturers changed where they put them in our vehicles. To ensure they work properly, catalytic converters must run at extremely high temperatures. The maximum efficiency of these converters is believed to be around 752°F.
These units were originally placed close to a car's engine, but this superheat source caused mechanical issues. The converters had to find a new home inside our cars and vehicles. Now, they are most commonly found underneath the vehicle, which makes them a target for thieves.
Thieves can cut the entire unit out from underneath the car in a matter of minutes. All that's required is a power saw.
Besides a high catalytic converter scrap price, another reason why catalytic converter thefts have risen is a shortage in the supply chain. Precious metals, by nature, are difficult to get a hold of. Because it's tough for official dealers to make more catalytic converters, an inadvertent black market was created for them.
How To Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic Converter thefts take less than five minutes, so the best way to prevent it from happening to you is by making it as difficult and time-consuming as possible.
First, it's recommended that you park your vehicle in a safe place that restricts access to the underside of your car, for example by parking beside a curb, if possible. Many thefts occur at people's homes, so installing security cameras can actually go a long way in deterring any would-be thief.
There are plenty of devices sold online that are designed to protect your car's catalytic converter from being stolen or at least make it harder for the thief. These can come in the form of a steel shield that fits over the catalytic converter, or cages made of high-strength steel that's difficult to cut.
If you have a garage, park your car in there at night and install an alarm system. Sometimes, it could prove impossible to actually stop the thief, so at the very least, make sure you have full coverage in the case of theft.