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.
Dear TGB and Dear All, is it possible to apply an epoxy coating liner over the steelwork to make it really difficult? Something like the coating used by miners to protect the steel surfaces of the discharge chutes and steel components/liners inside mills and crushers? That would be far cheaper than catloc and maybe even more effective? The only question is: Usually how hot are these steel surfaces? The epoxy coating with micro ceramic beads that I used in the past tolerate up to 70 Celsius… any thoughts? Thank you, Manuel
Hi Manuel,
Thanks for your message. We appreciate your concerns and will pass your thoughts on to our technical team.
Thanks.
Dear TGB, I have a little bit of experience with wear-protection products for machines and equipment, I have the feeling that Henkel’s Loctite Nordbak high temperature brushable ceramic could work. My thoughts are that if applied over the Catloc plate and along the body of the exhaust it would make it really difficult for the thieves, as the ceramic beads will “fight” against the “blades” of their cutting machine…
This is the link to the datasheet: https://tdsna.henkel.com/americas/na/adhesives/hnauttds.nsf/web/98900FFC33BFD6EF882571870000DBDC/$File/NORDHTBC-EN.pdf
If the temperature profile of the exhaust pipe and catloc plate is below 70C degrees, then I’m pretty sure a solution could be FLSmidth Wear-Max, these are the details:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGxfCZv0rsE
Please touch base with the TGB teach-team soon, we really need answers and a reliable way to protect our cars.
Thank you, Manuel
Dear TGB, any updates about the possibility to apply an epoxy ceramic coating to the exhaust system as a deterrent to cat-theft? Thank you
Hi Manuel,
Thanks for getting back in touch. We are urgently looking into other technical possibilities to reduce theft, however we cannot confirm any specifics at this time. Currently in the case of Catalytic converter theft, we would recommend our Catloc range of devices as a deterrent against theft as they make it more difficult for thieves. We have also shared police guidance as mentioned above to help customers take further precautions.
Once again, thank you for sharing your feedback. Please be aware we are updating this blog post any time we have news to share regarding this situation.
Thanks.
Hi, do you think this is viable? Have you done it? Could you help me carry it our if so? I’m so scared to pay for a new one only to have it stolen again. Mine was stolen last night in Peterborough.
Hi Anthony,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. Our customer relations team are best placed to discuss your situation and queries in more detail and we will email you directly in order to gain additional details and open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Hi toyota I got a new car toyota auris hybrid 2018, and my catalytic converter just stolen last night I’m very upset and disappointed about you toyota how come no one explained to me or done any action regarding about the crime I already reported to the police and yes they told me that there’s a high in crimes on catalytic converters, when I reported to the toyota in leicester I just need to claim to the insurance so I’m not very happy about what happened.
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been a victim of this crime. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team, they will discuss your situation in more detail and support you in any way we can. We will email you directly regarding this.
Thanks.
Dear Marius, can you post a photo of the blade please? or any information that could be useful? was it a specific type of blade? are there any details on the blade that could help to know what type of blade are they using? Thank you, Manuel
I own a Prius Plug-in which is an excellent car. Customer service from my local dealer has been great. Only one major problem – complete lack of a genuine solution from Toyota to cat thefts. Concerned about a possible theft from my own car, at the last service in December I asked that a Catloc be fitted. Went to collect the car and was told none available for my model of Prius. Advised to watch this blog for future news. Thinking of buying a Rottweiler that will live in the car as the ultimate deterrent.
Reading all these comments, it’s fairly obvious that a) a Catloc does not stop thefts, it just slows thieves down, making any owner susceptible to multiple thefts and subsequent costs, b) any factory-fitted alarm is also useless, as there is no tilt sensor, and c) a design fault has made these hybrids vulnerable, but Toyota could not have foreseen that, as the thefts are a recent phenomenon. I’d love to know if this is a problem anywhere else in the world.
Sadly, this issue is very damaging to Toyota’s hard-won reputation and unless a genuine solution at a reasonable cost to the owners is not arrived at soon, my next car will not be a Toyota, and many other owners feel the same way.
My 2004 (2nd Gen) Prius had its catalytic converter stolen last night while I was at work in north-west London near the M25. I could see the marks in the roadway where they’d jacked it up. I got home at 5am instead of midnight, and like many other commenters I’m now wondering how to avoid the same thing happening again – if it’s true that a catloc is of limited/no effect, then in reality how do I even continue using any Prius (which in most other respects is my ideal car)??
Hi Richard,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are incredibly sorry to hear you have been impacted by this situation. Our customer relations team are best placed to advise you further and we will email you directly in order to open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
Thanks.. I received email asking for details and sent it 2 days back.. When will i get an update on next step?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting back in touch. We can see a case has been opened for you and our team are currently working on it. We will add your new comment into the case and request direct contact with you as soon as possible.
Thanks.
This is what Toyota said to me:
Dear Marius,
Thank you for your contact us via our blog page. I am sorry to hear that the catalytic converter on your Toyota Prius was recently stolen.
Toyota is very concerned with the recent sharp rise in the organised theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in the UK by criminal gangs. Our first priority is to do all we can to support our customers who have been victims of crime.
Vehicle crime has changed over the decades, car audio has been targeted, then alloy wheels and so on. Although “cat theft” is not new, or limited to Toyota products, it has always been comparatively rare; however, the recent rise in the value of such parts for recycling has meant that police forces have seen a very significant rise in these offences in the last few months.
Toyota’s first priority is to do all we can to support our customers who have been victims of crime. We have moved to reduce the prices of replacement catalytic converters and Catlocs to a level where Toyota GB does not make any profit from supplying them to customers.
I would like to inform you that Toyota has been working very hard to combat this industry wide problem regarding Catalytic converter thefts. As a result, Toyota have developed a Catloc range of accessory which costs £250.00 including fitting. The Catloc is a bespoke device designed specifically for effected Toyota models with the aim of deterring opportunist thieves and available in the Toyota network since January 2019.
I am sorry to hear that you are disappointed about this cost of the Catloc, and you have requested that we fit this part for you free of charge. Unfortunately, we would not look to cover the cost of this part, however, you may wish to contact your insurance company in regards to this request.
You have stated that you consider the Catloc to be ineffective in stopping any future thefts. Sadly, the Catloc cannot give your vehicle 100% protection from thieves. 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 catalytic converters ‘unstealable’. A Catloc makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter, slowing thieves down and acting as a deterrent.
The following information provides ways to reduce the risk of having your catalytic converter stolen:
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 areaPark close to fences, walls or a kerb with the exhaust being closest to the fence, wall or kerb to make the theft more difficultAvoid parking your vehicle half on the pavement and half on the road, as this may make it easier for thieves to access the catalytic converterIf parking in a public car park, consider parking alongside other cars and facing your bonnet towards the wall if possible. With the catalytic converter positioned at the front of your vehicle, this will make it harder for thieves to get close enough to steal itIf there is a fleet of vehicles, park the low clearance vehicles to block the high clearance vehicles. This will obstruct access underneathIf your catalytic converter is bolted on, you can ask for your local garage to weld the bolts to make it more difficult to remove.Alternatively, you can also etch a serial number on the converterYou can even purchase a ‘cage clamp’ which is a cage device that locks in around the converter to make it more difficult to removeIf you see someone acting suspiciously under a vehicle, report it to the Police. Obtain as much information as possible, including any vehicle registrations
Please accept my apologies for any disappointment and inconvenience which may have been caused. If you would like any further assistance in this matter please let me know.
Thank you for contacting Toyota.
Our Prius+, collected from new on 30 October 2019, just had its catalitic converter stolen while parked in Asda Belvedere. Apparently it took them about 15 seconds to do this.
I’m disgusted that Toyota didn’t do more to prevent these thefts, never had an issue with any of our other vehicles (all new on the motability scheme). Now we’re £100 out of pocket for what is clearly a design flaw of your vehicles! Why are these not covered, fitted more securely by default (not an ‘optional’ lock ££) or design a failsafe system that would render the unit useless if it was being removed while jacked up??
The vehicle that stole ours was a Dark Blue Nissan (Juke/Quashki) reg BD11 VOJ in Belvedere DA17
My gen 3 Prius has been butchered in Wimbledon few days ago. It took these degenerates a minute and a half and now my car sounds like a Spitfire.
If you live in south London, watch out for black Vauxhall Vectra.
I’ve discovered this blog today and must admit, Toyota’s copy-and-paste responses are disappointing to say the least.
Funny how Toyota knows how to get in touch with me when my MOT or service is due, or when they want to sell me a new car, but when it comes to warning me that thieves are targeting the particular model of Toyota I drive, it is somehow my responsibility to look for info.
This info should be all over your main page, but it isn’t.
Is it time for a mass recall?
Is it time for a class action lawsuit?
Or maybe it’s time for all of us affected to each make a banner expressing what we think about Toyota’s response to this mess, and make our way to the nearest Toyota branch.
I love my Prius and wouldn’t want to replace it with anything else, but at this rate these criminals will hunt our precious cars to extinction.
Hello. Thank you for your message yesterday. We take our customer’s comments seriously and appreciate you taking the time to share this with us. We are very sorry to hear that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves and understand the frustration this must be causing. The automotive industry is very concerned with the recent sharp rise in the organised theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in the UK by criminal gangs. Toyota’s first priority is to do all we can to support our customers who have been victims of this crime. If you wish to raise this with our Customer Relations Team, you can use this link: https://fal.cn/35JXo Thank you.
Class action sounds like a very good idea. I had the Cat stolen from my Lexus on Friday – police did not want to know (insurance company weren’t that keen either). My wife put it up on NextDoor app and low and behold, we were inundated with replies from other people who have had the same problem, some, more than once! I am now waiting to get the go ahead from my insurers ro pay the £900+ to have my car fixed, and will then be paranoid, waiting for the thieves to return.
This is just not good enough. Toyota, who make Lexus, need to DO SOMETHING about this problem. Right now I am considering selling my car and buying something that has not yet become a target for the thieves. If Toyota cannot protect its loyal customers, why should we remain loyal to you?
Hi there,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime and for the distress this may have caused. Our customer relations team are best placed to help you further with this and we will email you directly in order to gain additional details and put you in touch with them.
Thanks.