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.
I was shopping in Tesco Purely between 10.45 and 11.10 AM, on my return my catalytic converter was stolen Auris Hybrid, I did make a police complaint, they were kind enough to get back to me saying the CCTV camera doesn’t cover that spot, where car was parked, hence case is closed!
We have been with Toyota past 20 + years, not sure what Toyota is doing about it, but certainly its damaging the brand, NO more Toyota Sorry ! Till you fix the issue guys!
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are incredibly sorry to hear you have been a victim of this crime. In order for us to help you further, we will email you directly so that we can gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team.
Thanks.
just adding to the list, mine stolen 27/11/19 from sainsburys support cetnre in coventry, apparentyl 3rd from this car park in past 2 weeks. it’s very well toyato offering to put everyone in touch wityh customer care centre but it doesn’t achieve anything. if toyota absorbed the cost replacemetn vehickes for everyone suffering this problemthey would very soon get around to finding a proper solution.
Hi Matt,
Thanks for your message. We are sorry you have been a victim of this crime and that you feel we are not helping. Our customer relations team are working hard to support all our customers who have been impacted by this situation and we would like to put you in touch with them to see how they can help. We will email you directly to discuss if this is something you would be interested in.
Thanks.
I am other victim of the Toyota catalyst converter thieves. Two weeks ago the catalyst converter of my Auris (reg 18) had been stolen in a paid car park during the day time!!
I had to pay 150 pounds to get the car back to home because the RAC refused to recover it for it was not a broken down. Anyway I had managed to get the vehicle to a Toyota dealer throuh the insurance policy.
Today when I went to the Toyota dealer to collect my car, I had been surprisingly told that I need to pay ca 250 pounds extra because they had fitted a Catloc. How can they fitted this so called Catloc knowing that it won’t prevent the catalyst from being stolen again? Even if they think the Catloc is useful it should be fitted for free as this is obviously a design flaw of the vehicle itself. Because of this design flaw we have suffered a lot, financially and psychologically. Now we are constantly worrying when the next strike would happen again…
I strongly argue that Toyota should reimburse all the costs associated with this particular type of damage. The Toyota should admit the design flaw and recall all the affected vehicles!
If Toyota failed to put this right, how on earth should someone buy a Toyota knowing his/her vehicle attracting criminals’ eyes?
Btw, I cannot find any information on this ”official” Toyota website where or how can I file a complaint.
Hi there,
Thanks for contacting us. 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 of your situation and to open a customer relations case on your behalf. Our team are best placed to discuss your specific situation in more detail and see how best we can help you further.
Thanks.
I don’t believe my fiance was using my car, she parked in Metrolink in Parrs Wood and catalytic was stolen yesterday in day time. Her sister was going to buy Toyota but she has changed her mind . They are targeting Toyota’s maybe it’s very easy to have access to the catalytic and stole it, not good design . I can’t believe in few minutes they can remove it easily not happy with Toyota, . I am thinking to change the car now as I am worrying if it’s gonna be stolen again!!!
Hi there,
Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been a victim of this crime and for the distress it may have caused you and your family. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team as they are best placed to discuss your situation in more detail. We will email you directly regarding this.
Thanks.
The catalytic converter was taken off my car with the lamda sensor also cut off last week on my 2nd Gen Prius. This was totally unexpected and noticed when I started the car in the morning. None of the other cars in the neighbourhood have been affected and it is only my Prius which was targetted! I had to call my insurer who got a new Cat Converter installed which is an off-factory one (which is the one recommended by the approved repairer as it is cheaper) and not the original one. I had to pay the excess on my policy and will have an implication on my car insurance when I renew for no fault of mine. A reputed company like Toyota should have highlighted this issue and recalled vehicles to prevent thefts of this type! I am now everyday worried that the new cat converter may also get stolen! I had to accept a non-original cat converter from the insurer although I get my car services from Toyota and have all original parts!
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch with us. We are sorry to hear you have been a victim of this crime. We are working to support all our customers who have been impacted by this and would like to help you further. Would you like to be put in touch with our customer relations team?
Thanks.
Yes please
Hi there,
Thanks for getting back in touch. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with our customer relations team.
Thanks.
I had my catalytic converter stolen from my Auris hybrid 66 reg on Friday 29/11/2019 in a Metrolink tram park and ride, carpark in Manchester between 15:00 and 18:00.this is a very busy, with plenty of lighting and CCTV cameras.
And a very busy time being our rush hour. It seems that the thieves are not easily deterred and are very determined, being empowered by the shortage of police staff and their unwillingness to look at the CCTV footage. It is a very expensive and inconvenient experience,
And is now making me question my lifelong loyalty to the Toyota brand. As I have now lost my insurance no claims discount. This will be my first insurance claim in more than 30 years.
I think that Toyota are now a victim of their own success, as the Auris hybrid is so popular with the taxi fraternity.
Hi Ken,
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 would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team who are working hard to support all our customers impacted by this. We will email you directly in order to gain additional details in order to open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
I have 2007 Toyota Prius, my catalalytic convertor was stollen with in a minute on Friday 29th @09:12pm, I have everything on camera as to how easy it it to remove and run away
I have spoken with Toyota garage, this whole thing is going to COST about £1600 including CATlock to be fitted for design fault of Toyota designers for making it so easy to steal on of the costly component.
I think toyota is profetering from their own design fault what It should cost me to add catlock?
Hi Rajesh,
Thanks for your message. We are incredibly sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We have moved to ensure that the cost to customers of replacement catalytic converters supplied and fitted through our approved service centres is as low as possible, and that TGB doesn’t profit from this.
Regarding your situation, we will email you directly in order to gain additional details in order to open a customer relations case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Hi yes we had ours stolen for the 2nd time in 5 weeks yesterday after having a cat loc fitted advised by Toyota at a cost of £1600 the first theft happened in Dobbies car park 1pm and this theft last night on our drive do these thieves have access to DVLA information we live in a close tucked away, Toyota are acting irresponsibly and should be compensating their customers due to a design fault
Hi there,
Thanks for your message. We are deeply sorry you have been a victim of this crime for a second time. We would like to discuss your situations with you further and see how we can best help. Have you been in touch with our customer relations team?
Thanks.
Another victim here, I had my catalytic stolen today on dated: 2/12/2019 @ 9:20pm from my 2015 Auris Hybrid car parked on private parking bay. My neighbor banged my door and told me that he saw couple of masked guys came and stole the converter. Although my neighbor screamed at those thieves but it was too late and also they were very confident, looked like professional thieves. Last month, it was stolen twice from my cousin car (after reinstallation). It seems to me epidemic now and especially by looking at so many comments, I am nervous now as I am not sure if same wont happen again with reinstallation even If I go with catlock. My question to Toyota is that are you going to reinstall catalytic/catlock free of cost? and what future steps Toyota is taking to ensure that it wont be possible for thieves to steal it? are you going to change the design? Believe me it is ruining Toyota reputation and I am seriously thinking of selling my car and move to some other brand as this gave me phycological and financial damage. My neighborhood was peaceful and this is i guess first catalytic theft in my area, although I also made cautious to my neighbors who have Prius or Auris to keep an eye on their cars. Since thieves have stolen from my car, definitely they will strike again in coming days. Utterly disappointed 🙁 and losing my faith on buying Toyota in future.
Hi Sardar,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team are best placed to discuss your queries in more detail, and we will email you directly in order to open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Hi
I expected a quick response to my comment, however there is no response from the customer relations team yet. I expect Toyota to provide me compensation for the damage for the vulnerable design and a risk-free modification to ensure this is not repeated.
Hi there,
Thanks for coming back to us with this. We emailed you earlier today asking for additional details so that we could open the case on your behalf. We will re-send this to you now in case it went into a spam folder.
As soon as we have these details we can go ahead and open your case.
Thanks.
My Auris Hybrid 2011 model cat was stolen on 29/11/2019 from my drive way at around 7:20PM. I read about Toyota catloc but don’t k now how it will help. I’m very much scared to fit this costly cat and the catloc for it to be stolen it again.
Hi there,
Thanks for contacting us about this. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. Our customer relations team will be able to discuss your situation with you in more detail and provide support in any way we can. We will email you in order to gain additional details, and open a case with our team on your behalf.
Thanks.