Catalytic converter theft from cars isn’t a new crime, but it has increased significantly in recent times.
Police forces around the UK are advising owners of any car fitted with a catalytic converter to take precautions. In Toyota’s case it is second and third-generation Prius models (2004-2009 and 2009-2016 respectively) and second-generation Auris Hybrids (2012-2018) which have been particular targets for thieves.
Below we’ve gathered the best advice for Toyota owners who may be concerned.
What is a catalytic converter?
The catalytic converter is part of the car’s emissions control system. It cleans up the exhaust gases before they are expelled from the car through the exhaust pipe. Its internal elements react with the gases, breaking them down into less harmful substances and water vapour. All new cars sold in Europe since 1993 have had to be fitted with a catalytic converter by law.
Why are they a target for thieves?
Clearly the police are best placed to offer advice on the motives behind this crime. But we understand that the value of the catalytic converter for recycling is the main attraction to thieves, because it contains precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium.
What can owners do to stop their cars being targeted?
Some owners have chosen to tag their catalytic converters with an invisible yet traceable forensic marking solution, such as that provided by SmartWater. This means that a stolen catalytic converter can be traced to a specific crime, helping police in their attempts to fight the organised gangs responsible. It also raises the risk to all those handling the devices along the criminal chain, from theft to eventual disposal and recycling. Mechanical theft prevention products such as Catloc devices can also deter thieves.
However, it must be noted that catalytic converter theft is a criminal operation and the scope of owners is therefore limited. Police forces are taking action, so it is important for anyone who is a victim of this crime to report it as quickly as possible.
In the main, older cars are more likely to be targeted. This is because advances in efficiency and technology mean the latest generations of catalytic converters contain vastly lower amounts of precious metals, while still doing their job just as well or even better. This means their value for recycling is very low and they are not attractive to thieves.
Does a mechanical lock give my car 100% protection from thieves?
Sadly not. It can make theft more difficult but thieves are using high-powered cutting tools to remove catalytic converters and because of this it is not possible to make them ‘unstealable’. A mechanical locking device makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter because it slows down thieves and therefore acts as a deterrent.
If I’m worried about my Toyota model, what should I do?
If you are worried about potential catalytic converter theft from your Toyota, we recommend you use our locator tool to find your nearest Toyota centre and contact them to discuss the best way to protect your car.
This article was last updated on 2 November 2024, so some of the responses to reader comments below have been superseded by more recent information.
Can you tell me what your customer number is as I have trying to get through for 2 weeks and still waiting for an email to the theft of my Catalytic converter.
Hi Lorna,
Thanks for getting back in touch. We can see our team are working on your open case with us. We will add these comments into it, and request someone gets in touch with you soon.
Thanks.
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for your message. We will email you directly in order to discuss your query in more detail.
Thanks.
Here’s an interesting article on why Toyota hybrid models are particularly targeted. Makes sense to me. Toyota what is your response? You keep saying that it happens to all types of cars… bla bla bla… yes but thieves are particularly stripping Toyota hybrid models. Tell us, your customers, the truth otherwise this going to end bad for you. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS BLOG WE ARE FED UP! DO THE RIGHT THING AND FIX THIS!!
Couldn’t agree more! The least they should do is fit all their customers with FREE cat locks! We are all getting fed the same story and nothing is being done!
Hi All, I took the only option open to me after realizing that Toyota who make the cars and the Toyota dealership who sell them are not really interested in their customers. I sold my car making a huge loss on a car I had driven only 3 times. I think like most of you that Toyota are profiting from our misery and so are Toyota dealers. When you challenge each of them about their behavior they refer you to the other.
So it cost me £3000 for peace of mind. I no longer have to worry if my car will be wrecked or my insurance premium will sky rocket. What’s the point of having a car which cannot be left anywhere. I feel that someone should compensate us for our losses but no one will. Its easier to blame the criminals than take responsibility.
I couldn’t agree with you more – the intransigence on the part of Toyota in coming up with a robust engineering solution (free to Toyota hybrid owners!) for this issue beggars belief!! Have to say that when it comes to my next car it won’t be a Toyota given the lack of action on this serious issue………..
I have been a victim of catalytic converters theft today 28/10/2019 2016 Toyota Prius+ and is taking me ages at the police station to get one of the officers to make my report.
I can’t believe this has happened to me, as Uber driver I’ll loose a lot of money this week. Toyota should do more to sort this problem , you should offer us a solution by asking us to bring our cars and put a device to make it impossible for the catalytic converters to be stolen not your bla bla that we already know. I’m also a owner of two Toyota cars
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We are working hard to support all our customers who have been impacted by this situation and will email you directly in order to gain additional details, and put you in touch with our customer relations team.
Thanks.
I also had my catalytic converter stolen from my car parked on work hospital car park two weeks ago. Toyota and the industry know this is a massive problem and the only response Toyota has is to send it’s customers a letter about a catloc (which they state won’t stop thefts of the converters) and expect them to shell out £250 for the privilege!! This is totally out of order especially as the likes of Honda seem to be more pro active with their customers.
It has cost me £350 for my insurance excess and two weeks stress and upset plus the daily worry now about leaving my car and not knowing what I’m coming back to each day. I am seriously thinking about getting rid of it as feel been let down by Toyota and don’t want to hear how sorry about it they are but to see some action!!
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for getting in touch. We appreciate you don’t want to hear this, but we are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. To support you further with this, we will email you directly in order to put you in touch with our customer relations team.
Thanks.
I can’t believe this i had my cat stolen from my gen 3 prius yesterday and had to search on the internet to find out this is a known issue with toyota hybrid vehicles. I now have to go through my insurance to make a claim which will bump up my insurance when it come to renew.
I am seriously considering changing my car as there are no way telling when this will happen again.
Hi there,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We will email you directly in order to find out additional details so that we can put you in touch with our customer relations team. They will be best placed to discuss your situation with you further and provide any support we can.
Thanks.
Toyota !!! You are doing nothing. I spoke to toyota directly (3 times) after our cat converter was stolen. They offered zero help. We asked to have the cat loc fitted they dont have that in stock. So after 3 days parked on our drive the car was targeted again. Lucky this time they didnt get it this time. Must have been disturbed. But they have caused extensive damage to the chassis which we will have to pay to get fixed now.
Toyota know its a design fault with the car but wont admit it. Its like having the crown jewels strapped to your car secured with 3 bolts.
Toyota admit your fault and the very least you can offer your customers is the cat loc for free.
Why buy a toyota in future ??? Major target for thieves, Insurance premium going to be sky high in future and terrible customer service.
Hi Adam,
Thanks for getting back in touch. We can see our customer relations team are currently working on your case and we would recommend contacting them directly with any additional queries.
Thanks.
Has anyone fitted their car with the CATLOC. Is it worth installing in the car or sell the car. I just got my car back after the new catalyst converted is fitted but afraid of taking it out as that can happen again.
Catloc doesn’t work, only sets them a few min more. Toyota are liers, best solution I could find is Catclamp have it fitted niw can sleep at night
Hi Sub
Thanks for the reply, the Toyota service team said, the catloc adds few hours if someone wants to steal. Don’t know what to do.
Have a look at CatClamp from http://www.catsafe.org.uk
They have have 4 different models. Price range from £99 to £350. Depending on your budget.
Their installation pricing is: £85 + VAT.
Yep, had a catloc fitted after our catalytic converter got stolen. It did not stop the thieves and the catalytic converter has been stolen a second time. Complete waste of money.
My Prius had it’s Catalytic converter stolen overnight on 29.10.19 on my drive, Warwickshire. Now I’m left with the cost to replace, plus the knowledge that the thieves know where my car is – what stops them coming and taking it again? Only measures suggested seem to make it a little more difficult but far from impossible, all at my own expense. So I just have to live with the worry of it happening again? This leaves all such customers in a horrible situation. Only real alternative seems to be to ditch Toyota, also at our own expense and inconvenience. What a loss in trust.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress this may have caused. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a customer relations case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Toyota will fob you off mary with a script they most likely have memorized by now, they wont do anything apart from tell you how to park your car!
I am curious– do any of those that have been put in contact with the customer relations team care to comment on that? All I have had is the (unhelpful) recommendation of installing a Catloc– of course, my catalytic converter has already been stolen, I have already had to pay £250 excess plus multiple costs against the loss of the use of my car and I expect my insurance premiums to go up. So I am wondering if anyone has found that Toyota has offered any help other than the form response we have seen here? In other words, anyone get any payment for their losses?
Hi no, nothing helpful at all
No. I asked if they would buy my car back at market value but said I could only trade it in for another Toyota. Now had a new cat fitted and just waiting for it to be stolen again. It’s such a worry.
Hi Same thing happened to me. Same stock responses from Toyota. I sold my Auris which I only owned for 8 days before the theft back to the garage I bought it from. I wanted my money back since they failed to tell me about this problem when they had cars in the garage awaiting repair. I was told I could get money back because I was not returning it in the condition it was sold!!!! They bought it from me for £3000 less than they sold it to me but I got peace of mind.
I cannot think of a worse marketing strategy than this. Toyota and their minions are actually seeking to profit from our distress.