Which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen in California?

Vehicles that have had the most thefts are: Toyota Prius, SUV’s of all makes, Pick up Trucks of all makes, van’s (mostly Honda), passenger cars (mostly Honda), 2 U-Haul trucks. Gov. Roy Cooper recently signed a bill that makes catalytic converter theft a felony. The new law takes effect on Dec.

Why are so many catalytic converters being stolen?

The catalytic converters are part of a vehicle’s exhaust and are designed to filter out harmful emissions. Thieves target them because they contain precious metals. ‘If a vehicle is worth less than the cost of replacement, it is often not worth keeping it on the road.

What state has the most catalytic converters stolen?

California
The National Insurance Crime Bureau said the top states with the most reported catalytic converter thefts were California, Texas, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Illinois. A host of states have been examining legislation to curb the thefts and some have passed laws, including Oregon, South Carolina and Tennessee.

How do you prevent theft in a catalytic converter?

Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft

1. 1) Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter. This makes the part identifiable to law enforcement.
2. 2) Park in well-lit areas.
3. 3) Install an anti-theft device.

How many catalytic converters are stolen in California?

More than 8,000 Californians have reported having their catalytic converter stolen in the first five months of 2021, according to police and auto insurance data analyzed by BeenVerified. That’s a 33-percent increase for 2020 and a whopping 380-percent increase over 2019, when only 1,254 thefts were reported.

How do you stop thieves from stealing catalytic converters?

Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Advice

1. Park your car in a locked garage where possible, but if this isn’t an option, then park it in a well-lit and well-populated area.
2. Park close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make the theft more difficult.

How can I protect my catalytic converter from being stolen?

Catalytic converters are vulnerable because they’re quick and easy to steal. Catalytic converters are expensive to replace….Three ways to protect against catalytic converter theft

1. Etch your license plate number onto your catalytic converter.
2. Park in well-lit areas.
3. Install an anti-theft device.

Can I drive without a catalytic converter in California?

When facing the recovery costs of a stolen “cat,” many customers wonder, “Can I drive without my catalytic converter?” The answer is both yes and no. Technically, a car can function without a catalytic converter.

Why are people stealing convertors?

Thieves are motivated to steal catalytic converters because they contain precious metals, such as platinum and rhodium. Then, the thieves often sell the car parts for money on the black market. The parts are also expensive to replace, ranging between $2,000 to $2,500 for each catalytic converter.

Is stealing a catalytic converter a felony in California?

Stealing a catalytic converter is a crime under California law, which categorizes this offense as either petty theft or grand theft based on whether or not more than $950 worth of goods were stolen. As a felony though, those convicted of grand theft can face up to three years in state prison.

Why are people stealing catalytic converters?

Why Do People Steal Catalytic Converters? People stealing catalytic converters do so because they are very valuable components in every car, especially the expensive ones. Catalytic converters are made with very precious metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium .

What is the bad catalytic converter symptoms?

Rattling noises from under the vehicle are another symptom of a bad or failing catalytic converter. If a catalytic converter becomes old or damaged internally from excessively rich fuel mixtures, the catalyst coated honeycomb meshes on the inside of the converter can collapse or break apart, causing a rattle.

How to steal a catalytic converter?

To steal a catalytic converter requires a mere cordless reciprocating saw or wrench. Sometimes, a thief can use mechanics dollies to get under the vehicle and collect the cat converter more comfortably. The catalytic converter is part of the vehicle exhaust system, and although you can drive without it, it is not legal in some states.