How to Prevent Catalytic Converter Theft

Catalytic converters are attractive to thieves because they contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium. These are expensive precious metals that react with exhaust gases, heat up a ceramic honeycomb element, and convert harmful combustion byproducts, such as nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, into less harmful inert gases. Hybrids’ catalytic converters are worth even more, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute, because those catalytic converters stay cooler than those on other cars and require a higher amount of precious metals to work properly. Prices for these three metals spiked several years ago and remain very high, with platinum experiencing a recent spike that more than doubled its price from the start to the end of 2025. According to Money Metals Exchange, a website that tracks trends in precious metals, the price at the time of this writing for an ounce of platinum is nearly $2,100, and palladium costs more than $1,600. Rhodium—which is extremely rare and peaked at more than $29,000 per ounce in 2021—still costs more than $9,400 per ounce.

Assuming a thief can access the underside of a vehicle, converters are easy to remove with battery-operated power tools or, in some cases, even simple hand tools. Used converters can be processed to remove the precious metals, which is what makes them so valuable to scrap metal dealers and thieves. According to Waste Advantage magazine, a typical catalytic converter contains 3 to 7 grams of platinum, 2 to 7 grams of palladium, and 1 to 2 grams of rhodium. (There are just over 28 grams in 1 ounce.)

Some states—including the Carolinas, Indiana, New York, and Texas—have addressed converter theft by passing laws that require scrap metal dealers to request vehicle titles or other documentation before purchasing used catalytic converters. Several other states have proposed legislation. But for people worried about getting ripped off now, the NICB says there are some steps you can take to protect your car.

Anti-theft devices: Catalytic converter anti-theft devices are available from various manufacturers and include steel plates that protect the underside of the vehicle and cages made from steel cables, which are designed to discourage thieves by making the task more time-consuming, thereby increasing the thief’s exposure to detection. Alarms—both full-vehicle systems and special converter-specific ones—also can be effective deterrents. Talk with a trusted mechanic to see what they recommend for your vehicle. Anti-theft solutions can be pricey, but they often cost less than a new catalytic converter.

Secure parking: Park overnight in a locked garage or a well-lit, enclosed lot, if possible. If you’re parking in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor lights. If you’re parking on the street, try to pick a well-lit one with plenty of traffic.

Reporting theft: Even if you drive an older car and it doesn’t seem worth it, alert local law enforcement and your insurer if your catalytic converter does get stolen. Statistics can help legislators pass laws that make it tougher for thieves to sell stolen parts.

The average replacement for a stolen converter ranges between $2,177 and $2,506, according to RepairPal, a CR partner. Prices vary from car to car, with some replacements costing over $3,300 to replace. Those figures don’t include repairs to anything else thieves may have damaged, either, which can include the fuel and electrical lines that run underneath your car. The damage can really add up on vehicles like the Prius that have more than one converter, too.

The NICB says insurance policies can cover the replacement of a stolen catalytic converter, but only if there’s a comprehensive policy in place. Comprehensive insurance covers events like theft and weather damage, but many people who have older, less valuable cars don’t carry it because the premium isn’t worth the potential payout if something happens.

Most people who lease or make loan payments on a car are required to carry comprehensive coverage. However, whether someone files a claim for a stolen converter depends on the policy’s deductible and the cost of replacing the part. For example, if you have a $1,500 deductible to keep your monthly premium low, you probably wouldn’t file an insurance claim on a repair that costs $1,200.

The best option, though, is prevention. Even if your insurance covers replacing a stolen catalytic converter, it’s still frustrating to get it repaired, especially if you encounter any parts delays or repair shop backups. 

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