EPA-compliant converters may be used on vehicles from model years 1995, 1992 and older, OR all Federal/EPA-only Emissions Certified vehicles regardless of model year. If the vehicle is focused on providing clean emissions, the converter is likely more expensive. Magnus is the owner and main author of Mechanicbase. (Quick Read), What are the Signs of a Failing Catalytic Converter: A Quick Guide, Find the Airbag Sensor on Your Prius: A Quick Guide. This area includes Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and Utah. Although thieves steal catalytic converters from almost all car models, some car models might not fall under the thieves hands compared to other car models. The first sign of a faulty catalytic converter is an illuminated check engine light on the dashboard. Ultimately, thieves (or their partners) melt down the precious materials inside, making it hard to assign blame. Subaru models are also popular in the mountainous regions of the West, where drivers like the standard all-wheel drive (AWD). Cars with less precious metals are least likely to have their converters stolen, but it does not mean the thieves wont steal them. In some states, you must have a CARB-compliant aftermarket replacement converter. The most expensive cars and vehicles which use gasoline or diesel fuel have expensive catalytic converters. Catalytic converters have hidden gems in them. Thieves will cut catalytic converters out of vehicles parked in isolated areas or in the middle of the - Give the original to the customer. Jack is the owner, chief editor, and senior writer of this website. RELATED: Do Diesel Engines Have Catalytic Converters? In fact, this price has skyrocketed right past the value of gold. These include: diesel-powered cars, small-engined cars built in the USA, and older vehicles apart from trucks and SUVs. This is not always the case, but the risk involved in stealing one is not worth it if theres going to be no payout. Cars that are least likely to have catalytic converters stolen In this way, you can make your cars catalytic converter traceable. Chevy was known for using a bead converter. In conclusion, it would be better to care for your car to avoid theft. , What To Do When Your Catalytic Converter Is StolenContact the Authorities If you find your catalytic converter is missing, you should immediately contact the authorities. Which New Cars Have no Catalytic Converters?Audi E-TronBMW i3Chevrolet Bolt EVFiat 500EHonda Clarity ElectricHyundai Ioniq EVHyundai Kona Yes, it can. WebCatalytic converter theft is an increasingly serious issue in Canada. Catalytic converter thieves might target cars within an area, and it is possible to find your converter easily if you report it quickly to the authorities. Inside the catalytic converter are precious and rare minerals that cost a lot of money. This vehicle also needs to run with two converters - making them cost a total of $6,240. This list covers cars in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. What is common for these brands is that for small-engine cars and crossover SUVs they use catalytic converters that do not have a high value. WebCatalytic converter theft is an increasingly serious issue in Canada. Catalytic converters, like car silencers, are designed to reduce the sound of the engine exhaust as it exits the vehicle. By burning unreacted gases exiting a motor, catalytic converters reduce a vehicles exhaust noise and give it a hesitant, muted tone, resulting in cleaner tailpipe emissions. The catalytic converters of older cars' models have more precious metals than what the new ones have. Honda. The vehicle is specifically included in the application list for the catalytic converter and the converter is legal for use in California. Proper OEM converters contain several hundred dollars worth of palladium, platinum, and rhodium, and while the scrap price is affected by the fact that the converter has to be recycled to extract the metals, theres still a lot of room for profit. It should come as no surprise to anyone that Lexus vehicles are popular targets, too. The minerals fetch so much in the black market. Contact Your Insurance Company Depending on your coverage, your car insurance may cover your catalytic converter replacement. This area includes Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Catalytic converters are an integral part of almost all modern cars. In this region, the affordable Mitsubishi Outlander saw a big increase in catalytic converter thefts compared with 2021. Like selling gold for cash, you can also sell a cat converter as scrap and profit off the precious metals. Catalytic converter theft has been a serious threat to car owners for years, but it turns out there have been far more incidents than previously reported, new Carfax data shows as many as 153,000 in the U.S in 2022. Dealing with a lost car title can seem like a big hassle, but there are lots of reasons you might not have one. Catalytic converters clean up the gas or diesel fuel emissions. The Texas Senate has approved a series of bills designed to crack down on a spike in catalytic converter thefts. How to tell if catalytic converter is stolen? Bills have been introduced across the country, and several have already become law. Fuel-powered cars can drive without a catalytic converter without a problem. You will typically either see ARB or CARB. If it is not there, it should be near your strut Tower or radiator support. It is currently on the market ( not in the United States for now). 2022 Lamborghini Countach LPI 800-4 Review: Here Are Its Price, Top Speed, Specs, Interior, The End of Speeding? With less time needed to get the job done and a good payday ahead, these are some of the most targeted vehicles. In fact, this is the only group of cars that dont need catalytic converters: electric vehicles (EVs). None of these vehicles have a catalytic converter installed. Some of the electric cars that don't use catalytic converters include Volkswagen e-Golf, Chevrolet Bolt EV, Audi E Electric cars do not emit exhaust so they dont have one. A malfunctioning catalytic converter will start showing certain signs that a keen driver can easily identify. Senate Bill 224 , SB 432 and SB A catalytic converter is a simple device that uses basic redox reactions to reduce the pollutants a car makes. The engine of the car will not be harmed in any way if you drive without a catalytic converter. However, driving without a catalytic converter may be prohibited in your state, and your vehicle is likely to fail an emissions test. A catalytic converter is an important component of a vehicles exhaust system since it helps to minimize pollutants. The catalytic converters on Cars like Ford, Chevrolet, Jeep, Dodge, Mazda, Nissan, Subaru, Hyundai, and Chrysler are less likely to be stolen because of the value of the Toyota Prius is one of those examples that are highly targeted to catalytic converter thefts. These cars contain larger catalytic converters with a higher level of metals included because of how poor the emissions were. Its no surprise to see so many trucks and SUVs from the wide open spaces of the Southwest. So, which cars dont need catalytic converters? So cars that run on them don't require these converters. Bead cats are filled with beads. Also, fuel cell cars don't need catalytic converters because they run on hydrogen, which burns clearly. How Much Does a Catalytic Converter Replacement Cost? These include: The listed vehicles are all targeted because their catalytic converters can be very valuable. The total is up 2% from 2021, when media reports had put the number of insurance claims for catalytic converter replacements at roughly 52,000. Find out which vehicles are most and least likely to be targeted by catalytic converter thieves. WebYou will typically either see ARB or CARB. Hyundai to Invest $16.1 Billion for EV Business; Sets Annual Sales Goal of 1.87M Electric Cars by 2030. Are Toyota and Nissan Owned By The Same Company? Be compatible with OBD catalyst monitors. WebNo, electric cars dont have catalytic converters. We are a participant in theAmazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Many of these laws would mandate fines and/or jail time for perpetrators. They reduce emissions that are dangerous to humans and the environment. To put it simply, a catalytic converter is a type of exhaust. Other brands that produce electric cars are Nissan, Volvo, Rivian, and Ford. Make sure you have the right part for the application. A missing catalytic convert is better than a faulty catalytic converter. A bad converter might result in poorer engine performance. Without the converter, your vehicle will no longer be filtering and reducing harmful emissions, including hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, and carbon monoxide. Always check for internal coolant leaks and excessive oil consumption. Matt Casavant with the Maine State Police. Honda and Toyota models, in general, have been the most targeted models for having their catalytic converters stolen. Find Out Here! The possibility of stealing the converters from these cars is very low, but you should care for your car as you might not know when a thief can steal other car parts. 4. Many brands used cat designs that limit how many precious metals were inside. Also, fuel cell cars dont need catalytic converters because they run on hydrogen, which burns clearly. Few theft cases have been reported. 3. It is important to know your states requirements to determine the correct converter for your application and location. Important Car Insurance Policies to Keep in Mind. Still, brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche and high-end Mercedes-Benz vehicles are rarely targeted because those that own a luxury car rarely park it on the street. One big issue for police is that catalytic converter thefts are hard to track. Some of these converters go for $150 which is why theyre still a target, but thieves generally go for more valuable options instead. To keep the environment cleaner, the automaker will install cats with higher concentrations of palladium. Since electric cars dont have combustion engines, they dont produce any emissions. So, which cars are least likely to have catalytic converters stolen? Can fuel-powered vehicles function without one in the long run? This includes making sure converters won't cause false catalyst codes, while also making sure that the OBD system will continue to set a catalyst fault code if the aftermarket converter fails. You might not think about the possibility of your catalytic converter being stolen when you first buy a car, but you probably should. WebCars manufactured before 1974 and electric cars have zero risk for catalytic converter theft since they do not have catalytic converters.Cars with low ground clearance, as well as non-hybrid vehicles from Ford (except Trucks), Chevrolet, Chrysler, and Dodge, are also at lower risk than their imported counterparts or SUVs. This list covers cars in Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming. See Now: To make sure you have the right catalytic converter, you need to take a look at your vehicle's Emissions Control information label. Visit a Mechanic. The installer must file and maintain a copy of all documentation for a period of at least 4 years from the date of installation. Engine Misfiring (Uh-Oh). People Also Searches what cars dont have catalytic converters, Which cars are most likely to have catalytic converter stolen? This means that theres no internal combustion that can lead to the emission of harmful gases and other substances. In the Midwest, the Ford Explorer SUV made a big leap up the list compared to 2021. American brands such as Ford, Chevy, Jeep, Dodge, and Chrysler tend to have less valuable catalytic converters and are therefore less likely They contain valuable precious metals. A sensitive alarm might also help as it will go off when the catalytic thieves break off the car parts. Therefore, which cars are least likely to have catalytic converters stolen? Platinum, for example, was recently trading at $970 per ounce, and palladium was at about $1,330 an ounce. Electric cars which dont have catalytic converters are safe from thieves. Theres a wide range of vehicles in play. Colorado and California require vehicles to have this type of catalytic converter if they are more than five years old or the warranty has already expired. Be warranted for 5 years/50,000 miles, and cover the cost of parts and labor. Also, every hybrid car does have catalytic converters in them (either plug-in models or non-plugin). The Toyota Prius is one of the most targeted cars for catalytic converter thefts. Maine also requires its vehicles to have these types of catalytic converters, but they are only required for vehicles that were made after 2001. Why is the Right to Repair Important to Farmers? Much older cars did not have them in the 1960s and earlier. Trucks and SUVs are also very commonly targeted due to the large engines (valuable catalysts) and the high ground clearance, which provides easy access to the catalytic converter. Since hybrid vehicles are both battery- and fuel-powered, this also means that they do have catalytic converters. Be installed only on applications listed in the manufacturers Vehicle Application Catalog and per CARBs Installation Guidelines. Growing up on a small farm in rural America, he learned the value of hard work and dedication from an early age. So, even though driving a fuel-powered car without a catalytic converter wont harm your engine, the vehicle wont be as efficient as it used to be. 6 Common Reasons, Engine Power Is Reduced on Chevy Equinox: Meaning, Causes, and Fixes, How to Gap Spark Plugs With and Without a Tool, Why Engine Is Hot and AC Turned Off (Causes and Fixes). I Hit a Curb With My Front Passenger Side 7 Things to Check, 25+ absolutely stunning cars with colorful paint effects, Do Your Spark Plugs Smell Like Gas? Moreover, timely reporting of the matter makes it possible to get other thieves within an area, making it possible for the police to stop the crime. However, not all cars currently have catalytic converters in them. You will need to continue taking every alarm seriously and check out whats going on. Cars without catalytic converters. If your car does not meet certain emission standards, then you might be required to take your car to the repair shop. Usually, theyre included in the comprehensive coverage plan. This is because it helps protect the environment by reducing the emission of harmful gases into the atmosphere. All pickups and SUVs are prone to converter theft even when the price is low; therefore, it would be better to care for these cars. Theyre committing opportunistic crimes, says Sgt. You would have to check with your insurance company, but policies that cover converter theft certainly exist. The powerful car part helps scrub out very harmful pollutants away from the exhaust pipe of a car. Electric cars don't need catalytic converters. Many car alarms will offer settings that go off when people get close to the vehicle. The only cars that are exempted from these gadgets are cars that run mainly on electricity. The trucks are targeted because of the size of the converter and the fact that they often have two converters installed, one per side of the V8 engine. Being a valuable gadget, several theft cases of catalytic converters have been reported, especially cars with the most expensive catalytic converters. All internal combustion engines hybrid and conventional have catalytic converters. We encourage you to consult with a certified technician or mechanic if you have specific questions or concerns relating to any of the topics covered herein. Today, more electric cars are being produced. Stealing the catalytic converter only takes a couple of minutes, so even if you hear that somethings going on in front of your house, neither you nor the police will have enough time to react. Today, the increase of electric cars on the roads is an amazing accomplishment.