Catalytic converter theft from cars isn’t a new crime, but it has increased significantly in recent times.
Police forces around the UK, including those in West Yorkshire, London and Suffolk, are advising owners of any car fitted with a catalytic converter to take precautions.
Any car fitted with a catalytic converter could be at risk. 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 cars sold in Europe since 1993 have had to be fitted with 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 in the main, the value of the catalytic converter for recycling is the main attraction to thieves, because they contain precious metals such as rhodium, platinum and palladium.
What is Toyota doing to stop its cars being targeted?
In May 2021, Toyota (GB) announced that it would be covertly marking more than 100,000 catalytic converters in order to combat theft. By working with police and Smartwater, catalytic converters can be tagged with an invisible yet traceable marking, meaning 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.
It is free to get the catalytic converter marked, all customers need to do is call their local Toyota or Lexus retailer to arrange a visit.
In addition to this, Toyota has issued 20,000 Smartwater kits to police to support their local anti-catalyst theft initiatives. The company is also working with the AA, Toyota’s roadside partner, so its patrols can point customers to where they can get a free kit.
We have also developed and reduced the price of a ‘Catloc’ device which can deter theft and make it more difficult. Toyota teams in the UK and other countries are urgently exploring new technical possibilities to deter criminals as well.
We are working with the police, as well as talking to government about changes in the law around scrap metal sales that would make it harder for criminals to sell stolen catalysts for cash.
However, these are criminal operations and our scope is therefore limited. A number of police forces are taking action and some forces, such as Nottinghamshire, are also starting awareness campaigns. It is vitally important for anyone who is a victim of this crime to report it to their local police force as quickly as possible.
In the main, it remains older cars that are targeted because advances in efficiency and technology mean the latest generations of Toyota catalytic converters contain vastly lower amounts of precious metals, whilst 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 Catloc 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 catalytic converters ‘unstealable’. A Catloc makes it harder to steal a catalytic converter, slowing thieves down and acting as a deterrent. As mentioned above, we’re doing all we can to seek further technical options for customers.
Is Catloc available for my Toyota?
Catloc devices are available for a growing proportion of our range, but not all. We recommend speaking to your local Toyota centre.
How much does it cost to replace a catalytic converter?
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.
Your nearest Toyota centre can advise on exact costs after inspecting your vehicle.
Is it true that there is a long wait for replacement catalytic converter parts for Toyota cars?
The rapid rise in this crime in 2019 is one we could not have envisaged, set against many years of low incidence of catalytic converter theft. This initially impacted our ability to source enough of the parts we needed in some cases, for which we sincerely apologise.
Toyota has restarted production lines in Japan and France that made catalysts for many of the older models targeted in order to supply affected owners, developed a Catloc security device which helps deter theft (and has been granted a “Sold Secure with Gold Status” security ranking) and ensured it makes no profit at all from the sale of replacement catalysts or from Catlocs, providing them at cost.
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 13 May 2021, so some of the responses to reader comments below have been superseded by more recent information.
I have a 2013 Toyota Auris the catalitic converter was taken between the 7th and 8th November. At the same time they stoll another further along the street (same model). Although I am claiming from my insurance company I will have to pay excess and extra premium. But the inconvenience was enormous for us due to hospital journeys. I am now waiting for the date the car will be repaired plus bill and the anxiety of it happening again. Looks like I may have to get rid of it. More cost!
Hi Bernard,
Thanks for your comment.
We understand your frustration and apologise for the inconvenience this horrible crime has caused.
Please be assured we are doing all we can to support our customers who have been affected by this.
If you would like to raise your complaint further, our Customer Relations team can be contacted here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
I had mine stollen on my 2018 Auris on Friday 11th November… i feel your anxiety. I have requested that my garage put a security shield over the catalytic converter. Not sure Toyota part so may affect the warrantee, but cheaper than paying £1200 each time (claiming off my insurance) and reduce the chances of it happening again. It will be £150 worth spending
Hi Barnaby, thanks for your comment.
We are sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this horrible crime.
Please be assured we are constantly monitoring this situation and are doing all we can to support our customers that have been impacted by this.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team. You can find them here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Many thanks.
What shield did you go for? I have 2007 prius and mine was just robbed last night!
Hi Leigh, thanks for your comment.
We are very sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this horrible crime.
Please be aware we are constantly monitoring this situation and are doing all we can to support our customers that have been impacted by this. This includes reducing the precious metal content of the catalytic converters of our newer hybrids by up to 84%.
Please contact our Customer Relations Team to discuss this further. You can find them here – https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Once again, we are very sorry that this has happened to you and hope you are back on the road soon.
Thanks.
I have the same issue. Mine was stolen in September the 3rd 2022 . Insurance took the car away on 9th and I still have not received it back.
The garage keep saying that the part is still not available! I wonder how long more it might take
Hi Zara, thanks for your comment.
We are really sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this horrible crime and apologise for the distress this may cause.
Please contact our Customer Relations Team to discuss this further. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us .
We hope you are back on the road soon.
Thanks.
We just had our 2019 Corolla serviced and was offered the Catloc although shortly after our purchased I asked about protection and we were told that is wasn’t needed for this model as they were much harder to remove. Now, 2022 we are advised to install a Catloc. We would like the ‘free marking’ you now offer on your site. Strangely, this wasn’t mentioned to us only a Catloc. I look forward to your explanations.
Hi Chris,
Please could you provide your vehicle registration so we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
I have 2017 Toyota Auris. Catalytic converter was stolen on 9th of October, on 9th of November I picked it up from garage and it was stolen again on 16th of November. I am going to get catlock – was planning on getting one anyway but they didn’t even give me a chance to financially recover after first thief. If that’s not going to help I am getting rid of my car and getting something different. I can’t afford to spend £1000 each month on new parts
Hi Justyna, thanks for reaching out to us.
We are very sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this horrible crime. We understand the distress this may cause and apologise for this inconveience.
We have ensured that the cost to customers of replacement catalytic converters supplied and fitted through our approved service centres is as low as possible and we make no profit from this.
If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us .
Once again, we apologise for the inconvenience this has caused.
Thanks.
Had a catalytic converter stolen from a Toyota Prius today 18th November. Police are a waste of time as are Toyota, they need to take some responsibility for such poor design that enables it to be stolen in less than a few minutes. Never buying a Toyota again.
Hi Adam,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We’re really sorry to hear that you’ve been affected by this crime.
All catalytic converters contain precious metals that can be attractive to thieves, regardless of manufacturer or age.
However, targeted Toyota vehicles are almost always older hybrid models we no longer make.
This is because previous generations of catalytic converter for our hybrid vehicles had much larger quantities of precious metals in them, to help reduce vehicle emissions.
Once again, we are sorry that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves and for the distress that this crime has caused. We hope you are back on the road soon.
Thanks.
The catalytic converters from our two cars, Prius and Auris were stolen last week .we are getting them fixed through our insurances.but this is not good.Toyota must do something about these sort of thefts otherwise we will have to buy cars of other makes or go for electric cars
Hi Makarand,
We are sorry to hear you have been affected by this horrible crime.
We have tried to make sure that as many customers as possible have been informed through publishing police advice about the crime online as soon as it was received, writing to our dealer network to inform customers and writing directly to vehicle owners where details have been available to do so.
This crime is being perpetrated by organised criminal gangs using power tools, and we are working with the police and various other agencies to put a stop to it.
We have developed theft prevention devices for our customers and these are available from Toyota centres.
We hope you are back on the road soon.
Thanks.
Hello, I would be interested if the catalytic converter theft is also reported on the AURIS Touring 1.6 petrol as well or only on petrol-hybrid/ hybrid?
Waiting for your kind reply,
Thank you.
Hi Zsolt, thanks for your question.
Please provide your Vehicle Registration so that we can look into this for you.
Thanks.
Hello,
Thank you for your fast reply. I’m planning to buy an AURIS Touring 1.6 petrol (from 2014 up to 2017) but if they steal the Cat on petrol car as well as on hybrid than it doesn’t worth for me all the fuss.. I’m aware some Cat thefts have been done at the car park where I work…I just wanted to confirm if they steal the Cat only on petrol -hybrid cars or on petrols as well?
Could you please confirm this for me?
Thank you
Hi Zsolt, thanks for considering Toyota.
Technically, any vehicle fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of CAT theft. However, non-hybrid vehicles are not deemed high-risk vehicles.
Please contact your Toyota Centre to see the protective measures available for your vehicle.
Thanks.
Catalytic converter stolen Nov 2022 from a Toyota Aurus 2018.
I had the car serviced by Toyota only a few weeks earlier. If Toyota are serious about tackling catalytic converter theft from their vehicles, then why not alert customers directly and offer to mark it for free so that if stolen it is harder to pass-on and it can be linked to the crime? Or offer cage protection as after all it is a weakness of these models that the cats are easy to steal. In my case the marking could easily have been done during the car service. No mention was made to me about this and neither were there any e-mails – or phone calls to this effect- yet Toyota are happy enough to pester me trying to sell me another car. Also very disappointingly my local garage (Toyota Marshalls, Canterbury) were happy to quote me £1200 for the repair but couldn’t be bothered dealing with the insurance company to have the repair done! – allegedly this is their policy. So I am having to have the repairs sorted through the insurer’s garage. Toyota, unless you are willing to help individual customers directly, e.g. refund me my insurance excess, please don’t bother posting a meaningless ‘we are sorry to hear…’ response to this message.
Hello.
We are sorry to hear you were a victim to this crime and for the inconvenience and frustration caused.
To raise your concerns for investigation, the Customer Relations team can be contacted here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Thank you.
I had my cat stolen of my Auris in July 2022. I had to claim via my insurance and have it repaired via one of their recommended suppliers. The part is still on backorder from Japan, they keep extending the estimated dispatch date. I luckily have a courtesy car to use till my car is back. I will likely have to get a cat lock fitted as soon as it is returned and hopefully sell it thereaafter.
Hi Caroline, thanks for reaching out to us.
We are very sorry to hear you’ve been affected by this horrible crime.
We have tried to make sure that as many customers as possible have been informed about Catalytic Converter theft, through publishing police advice about the crime online as soon as it was received, writing to our dealer network to inform customers and writing directly to vehicle owners where details have been available to do so.
As Catalytic Converters contain precious metals, any car containing one is in theory at risk of theft. Over time, we have reduced the precious metal content of our Catalytic Converters by up to 84% and currently produce CATLOCs for vehicles considered most at risk, at zero profit to Toyota UK.
Once again, we are sorry that your vehicle has been targeted by thieves and for the distress that this crime has caused.
If you would like to raise your situation further, we would recommend contacting our Customer Relations team directly. You can do so here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Thanks.
My Toyota Auris had it’s cat stollen this evening. I am disabled and bought this car as it was automatic rather than for the hybrid tech. I wish I hadn’t as I am now without a car or ability to get about. The thefts of these although not Toyota’s fault are definitely for Toyota to help prevent. But in a affordable way rather than a profitable one because I don’t have the money available to sort this out, much like everyone else at the moment.
Hi Jude, thanks for reaching out to us.
We are really sorry to hear about this and apologise for the distress this horrible crime has caused.
Please be aware we are constantly monitoring this situation and are doing all we can to support our customers that have been impacted by this. We have taken action over time to reduce the precious metal content of the catalytic converters of our newer hybrids by up to 84%.
We have also developed and are supplying theft deterrent devices at zero profit to Toyota UK such as CatLocs, tilt alarms, bolt caps and component etching to protect consumers from further attacks. Please contact your Toyota Centre to see which protective measures are available for your vehicle.
Please contact our Customer Relations Team if you’d like to discuss this further. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us
Once again, we are sorry to hear to hear that you’ve been affected by this crime and we hope you are back on the road soon.
Mnay thanks.
Looking to buy GX17XAW. Could you confirm if the catalytic converter that is exposed at risk please?
Hi Wilson, thanks for your question.
Technically, any vehicle fitted with a Catalytic Converter is at risk of theft. However, this vehicle is deemed a medium-risk vehicle. A CATLOC and other protective measures are available for this vehicle. Please contact your Toyota Centre to find out more about potential protective measures.
Thanks.
My cat convertor on Auris Hybrid 2014, was stolen last weekend. Toyota garage cant give a date when a replacement will be available, saying it could be several weeks. They are not prepared to provide a courtsey car. I am diabetic and suffer from high blood presure. I need a car all the time in case i have to go to the hospital. i am disappointed that a replacment is easily available.
Is there anyway cat convertor be temporarily bypassed ?
Hi Arun, thanks for your comment.
We are very sorry to hear that you’ve been a victim of this crime and apologise for the inconvenience and distress it has caused. We appreciate the severity of this crime and are constantly assessing this situation.
It is required by law to have a Catalytic Converter fitted to your vehicle, so it cannot be bypassed.
Our Customer Relations Team are best placed to assist you with this. Please contact them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Once again, we are very sorry that you’ve been affected by this crime and for your experience. We hope you are back on the road soon.
Many thanks.