Catalytic converter theft, a problem that became widespread across the United States during the Covid-19 pandemic due to soaring prices of precious metals, continues to plague vehicle owners. Even with some metal prices dropping from their peaks, the issue remains unresolved.

Law enforcement agencies in various regions report a recent surge in these thefts. Carfax, a data company providing comprehensive history reports for used vehicles, estimates thousands of catalytic converters were stolen in the early months of this year.

A car with its catalytic converter stolen. *Photo: KCRA3*

High-Clearance Vehicles Are Easiest Targets

Carfax's latest analysis reveals that over 137,000 catalytic converters were stolen across the U.S. in 2025. Pickup trucks and SUVs are primary targets. This is due to a simple technical factor: their high ground clearance allows thieves to easily access the underside without a jack.

The Ford F-150 is the most targeted model, which is unsurprising given its status as a popular pickup truck with millions on roads nationwide. The Hyundai Tucson ranks second, followed by the Ford Explorer, Ram 2500, Chevrolet Silverado, Chevrolet Traverse, Ram 3500, Ford EcoSport, Ford Expedition, and Chevrolet Trax.

Rising Precious Metal Prices Fuel Crime

Catalytic converters contain precious metals such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum. Rhodium's price, for instance, more than doubled last year, hitting 11,000 USD per ounce in 3/2026. While this is a significant drop from its historical peak of about 30,000 USD in 2021, it still offers enough incentive for thieves.

Experts note that a conventional catalytic converter typically yields thieves 25-300 USD, but units from hybrid vehicles can fetch up to 1,400 USD due to their significantly higher precious metal content.

Replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost up to 3,000 USD, according to police. This poses a substantial financial burden, particularly for vehicle owners without comprehensive insurance.

A Sykesville Police Department representative reported that skilled thieves can remove a catalytic converter in minutes, leaving owners with repair bills totaling thousands of USD. This issue is rapidly increasing in Sykesville and neighboring cities.

A vehicle owner installs an anti-theft lock for a catalytic converter. *Photo: Reddit*

How Vehicle Owners Can Prevent Theft

While complete prevention is difficult unless a vehicle is always garaged, owners can take steps to reduce risk. Experts advise parking in well-lit, high-traffic areas, utilizing locked garages whenever possible, or installing motion-sensor lights where the vehicle is parked.

Several businesses offer metal cages and specialized anti-theft devices for catalytic converters. Authorities also recommend increasing the sensitivity of vehicle alarm systems to detect external impacts more readily. Engraving the vehicle identification number (VIN) onto the catalytic converter is another effective measure, aiding police in tracing and recovering stolen property.

My Anh (according to Carscoops)