Toyota Prius Catalytic Converter Theft Is 40 Times Higher Over A Few Short Years

According to Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), the magnitude of Toyota Prius catalytic converter thefts is 40 times higher in 2020 than in 2016.

The spike in theft is linked to the demand for precious metals to construct new catalytic converters for hybrid vehicles. Hybrid vehicles have a higher concentration of precious metals due to gasoline engines' limited run time. They have to be more robust to ensure they work properly.

Why Are Converters Getting Stolen Still?
Thanks to higher prices for platinum, rhodium, and palladium catalytic converter, thefts spiked from about 100 a month in 2018 to more than 1,200 a month in 2020.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau said that converter theft has risen 293% this past year alone. This rise in the past year is partly due to thieves hitting more than just Toyota Prius models.

Catalytic converters like the Generation 2 (2004-2009) Toyota Prius are selling on average for $1000 in scrap. Other models of vehicles fetch similar prices, which makes them hot targets.

What Other Vehicle Models Are Top Targets?
The easiest way to find out what vehicles are being targeted is to find ways to protect them. I have been covering this story for over 2 years now and watching how catalytic converter theft ruins the lives of its victims.

Cat Security™, a famous and helpful company that sells vehicle-specific catalytic converter protection, is leading the way in helping vehicle owners protect their vehicles.

I thought that if Cat Security™ has a device on the market, it must be a reason to be concerned. According to the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma, and Honda Element are also primary targets for theft. They have expertly crafted a lineup of covers that enshroud and protect the converters better than any other product on the market.

It will be interesting to see what else they come out with.

Conclusion
Catalytic converter theft continues to be a terrible and rampant problem spreading through the country faster than a tornado in a trailer park.

If you have any one of the vehicles I listed in this article, do all you can to protect it. Theft is not slowing down, so take the time and find a way to protect your vehicle from theft.

If all your converters are stolen off your Toyota Tundra, expect to pay about $10,000 to get it repaired. Without protection, it is likely you could get hit again.

That is all for now. Thank you for reading. Remember, today's adventures are tomorrow's stories.

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Peter Neilson is an automotive consultant specializing in electric cars and hybrid battery technologies. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Automotive Service Technology from Weber State University. Peter can be reached on Linkedin and you can tweet him at The_hybrid_guy on Twitter. Find his page on Facebook at Certified Auto Consulting. Read more of Peter's stories at Toyota news coverage on Torque News. Search Toyota Prius Torque News for more in depth Prius coverage from our reporter.