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.
Hello,
I have been a Toyota customer since 2005. I owned an Aygo, Yaris, Auris and now i have a toyota Auris Estate 2017; unfortuately my Cat converter was stolen on 18th december. The mech sent me a bill yesterday of £1600 to replace te Cat Converter and some other parts damaged during the robbery. In order to preserve the insurance premium I decided not to make a claim. In addition I have been asked £250 to install the CatLoc, however, after reading from the Toyota blog I understand that it would be useless and a further waste of money.
Regrettably I have to say that the lack of response and actions to this widespread issue from Toyota is appaling, ineffective and useless. This is clearly a brand default, it is infact well known that some other cars are built in a way that makes very difficult for the cat converter to be stolen. The fact that Toyota has not been able to address the issue and built the cars differently in order not to leave the cat convert exposed and easy to be stolen, it is utterly disappointed. It is beyond understanding how Toyata fails to see the negative impact that this is going to have in the long term on the sale of their cars. Toyota should recall all the cars and resolve the problem immediatly.
In the hope that Toyota will immediatly act upon such urgent matter, I look forward to hearing from you.
Paolo
Hello Paolo. Thank you for contacting us yesterday. 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 discuss this further with our Customer Relations Team, you can use this link: https://fal.cn/35JXo Thank you.
My wife and I both have Prius cars, last night my wife’s car had the catalytic converter stolen however mine was not touched, I’m now paranoid about the low-life’s returning for mine, I see on the internet after entering her registration number there are replacement cat’s + fixing kits + lambar leads for less than £200 with the likelihood of them being stolen again it makes sense to fit these instead of the expensive genuine parts, Toyota can you please advise on my above assumption!
Hello Andy. Thank you for your message. We are very sorry to hear that your wife’s Prius has been targeted by thieves and understand the frustration this must be causing. We appreciate the concern this is now causing you. 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. We’d suggest speaking with your local Toyota Centre to find out what preventative measures can be put in place. If you wish to raise this with our Customer Relations Team, you can use this link: https://fal.cn/35JXo Thank you.
We have 2 Prius cars, and bar for the theft of the cat have been very pleased for the past 12 years but enough is enough and have now decided to sell both and buy 2 non-hybrid cars, as previously mentioned I would have thought Toyota would want to protect its reputation and recall all Prius cars and fit motion sensors connected to the vehicles alarm system.
2007 yılında kurulmuş olan ENDO Lineer INA; mekatronik ve otomasyon sistemleri alanında endüstriye hizmet vermektedir. Redüktörler ve lineer modüllerin
Hello. We are Toyota UK so we’d suggest contacting your local Toyota Centre for assistance. Thanks.
Hello Chris. Thank you for contacting 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.
Their copy and paste responses are indeed disappointing. At least Toyota UK is addressing it though. I’m in the US and it’s a huge problem here too right now, and we’re getting nothing but crickets from Toyota. Makes me regret choosing my Prius over a Subaru.
I’ve just had the catalytic converter stolen last night from my Toyota Prius. This is totally ridiculous as Toyota obviously aren’t doing enough to prevent this from happening. Its about time that Toyota took responsibility and recalled all vehicles and compensated the victims who have had theirs converters stolen!! Now I’m out of pocket £1000, and no one has any in stock!! My work depends on my car…no part no car no work!! How is Toyota going to respond to this!!
Hi Sajid, thank you for getting in touch with us today. We are really sorry to hear that you have been a victim of this crime. Please get in touch with our Customer Relations team who will be able to assist you further with this. They can be contacted through the general enquiries section of this form: https://www.toyota.co.uk/contact-us/email-us. Thanks.
Copy paste to all comments on this blog. If you’re lucky enough to be contacted by a member of Customer Relations Team they will repeat what you already read in the original blog at the top of the page.
Obviously a total waste of time!
I’ve tried this several times but the form does not seem to being submitting at all! Do you have a number I can call?
Hi Sajid,
We are sorry to hear that. We will email you directly in order to open a case on your behalf.
Thanks.
My catalytic converter stolen from Toyota Previa in the Ikea Carpark in open day light. Appearently it took then few seconds. How pathatic of toyota. I was planning to but a new toyota prius now I have changed my mind to get another hybrid with better security features.
Hi Narinder,
Thanks for your message. We are so sorry to hear you have been impacted by this crime. We would like to help you further by putting you in touch with our customer relations team, and we will email you regarding this. Our team are best placed to support you in any way we can and answer any queries you may have.
Thanks.
Dear Marius, does this mean that actually the thieves went again targeting your car and they managed to take it away?.. I’m sorry about it, thank you for sharing the details of the blade… I’m touching base with a contact in Henkel to check if they have something that can help us to protect our cars… I paid the insurance excess, I bought the catloc and dash-cams, now I’m thinking about buying an alarm with tilt switches, but the entire thing is expensive!… I’ll post any news from any epoxy-coating-lining…
I had my catalytic converter stolen yesterday. 2pm in a hospital car park, on CCTV.
Hudderfield, West Yorkshire. They were driving a silver Astra, with 07 plates, cloned of coure!
Im so cross im out of pocket, and feelnlet down by Toyota.
No doubt insurance for these cars will be sky high next time around too.
Im on my 4th Toyota vehicle (first Hybrid, and probably the last hybrid after this) i have always sung there praises, but im angry this was so vunerable. I think Toyota should be recalling these vehicles and paying for catlocs fitting, rather than customers footing the bill. If it way any other defect Toyota have always been swift to get them resolved in my experience.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for getting in touch. We are so sorry you have been impacted by this crime. We are working to support all our customers who have been affected by this. We will email you directly to discuss your case further and put you in touch with our customer relations team.
Thanks.
Hi Manuel,
No they haven’t come back. The recovery truck driver told me one of the customers had his done in Aldi carpark, they couldn’t finish the job for some reason, customer took the car at Toyota garage Northampton, they actually followed the car there. While the customer was inside they jacked up and tried to finish cutting the cat there! I since then brought a cat cover from Ebay but this will only slow them down. I love the car but I’m looking to sell it. My insurance is due in February so will see if it goes up.