Installing a Catstrap or another anti-theft device is the best way to protect your 2017 Honda Accord’s catalytic converter from being stolen.
The numbers don’t lie—the Honda
Accord is one of the vehicles most commonly targeted by catalytic converter thieves. The reason many Accords make popular targets is that they usually have an easily accessible cat converter in the exhaust system under the car. If you drive a 2017 Honda Accord, you’ve come to the right place for theft prevention tips. We’ll give you a few statistics, recommend several anti-theft devices, and go over what kind of car insurance
you need to stay protected. 
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a 2017 Honda Accord?
Unfortunately, yes. Depending on the configuration and model year, an Accord can have anywhere from two to four catalytic converters. The CCs underneath the car as part of the exhaust system are the ones that are targeted by thieves.
While the F-series trucks from Ford
claim the top spot, the Honda Accord (1989-2020) has the dubious honor of being the second-most commonly targeted vehicle for catalytic converter theft. Other small to midsize sedans are also very vulnerable, particularly the Toyota Camry
and Chrysler 200
. Why are 2017 Honda Accord catalytic converters stolen?
Your catalytic converter’s job is to filter and reduce harmful emissions through your exhaust system, and it can do that by using a blend of rare and precious metals to form the filter itself.
The metals—platinum, palladium, and rhodium—are worth thousands (and thousands) of dollars an ounce. Over the last few years, the value of these metals has gone up significantly, making your vehicle even more tantalizing of a target for thieves.
To top it all off, these valuable and expensive-to-replace catalytic converters are often very easily accessible. Your Accord’s low ground clearance won’t save you, either, since these thieves often bring car jacks with them to make your cat converter that much easier to get to.
2017 Honda Accord catalytic converter replacement cost
You might want to sit down because RepairPal estimates that the average cost to replace a Honda Accord catalytic converter is between $2,300 and $2,500. Using aftermarket parts or going to a friendly mechanic that gives you the family rate can save you a little bit of money, but you can pretty much expect to pay $2,000 or more no matter what.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a 2017 Honda Accord
Sure, your Accord is at an increased risk of being targeted for theft, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything to better protect yourself! Let’s go over some of the best theft-prevention tactics for your 2017 Honda Accord.
Park in a secure area
The brigands, dastards, and bandits that steal cat converters prefer vulnerable targets and the cover of darkness. To that end, make your vehicle less of an easy mark by parking in a secure, locked garage. If that’s not an option, you could always install motion-activated lights, park under a streetlight, or park in a well-lit area with security cameras.
Install an anti-theft device
If you don’t mind spending a little extra cash, you can make a thief’s job a whole lot harder by installing an anti-theft device. Normally, this would involve a catalytic converter shield—a simple metal plate that covers your CC and prevents easy access—but these are a bit hard to find for a 2017 Accord.
Instead, consider the Catstrap
. The Catstrap is a high-visibility band that covers your exhaust system and protects your cat converter. It’s packed with sliding steel cables that are virtually impossible for a thief to cut through. It’s affordable, requires no tools, and can be installed in half an hour or less. Etch your VIN on the catalytic converter
Writing or marking your vehicle identification number (VIN)
on the catalytic converter(s) makes the part much more difficult to sell on the black market. Try to put it somewhere visible, if possible, so a thief can see it and decide your car isn’t worth their time. Invest in comprehensive insurance
Alright, purchasing comprehensive insurance
won’t actively protect your catalytic converter from being stolen. However, it will put you in a much better position if your CC does get stolen, because you’ll be able to file a claim to cover the cost of replacing the stolen part. Without comprehensive coverage, no such luck. What to do if your 2017 Honda Accord’s catalytic converter is stolen
If your 2017 Accord’s cat converter gets stolen, the first thing you should do is get in touch with the police. Reporting a theft as quickly as possible is a great way to boost the odds of actually finding the stolen part.
Regardless of whether or not the perp gets caught, the cops will proceed to file a police report, which is a crucial part of the next step: contacting your insurance company. Remember that you’ll be responsible for paying for your replacement cat converter without comprehensive coverage. Otherwise, if you have full coverage, you’ll be able to submit a claim
to cover most of the cost of a replacement (after you pay the deductible
, of course). 4.717k Ratings 5M+Drivers Joined
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Can you drive a 2017 Honda Accord without a catalytic converter?
Yes—but you shouldn’t for very long.
Your vehicle is still safe to drive without a catalytic converter, but you’ll probably start to notice the following wonky behavior without it:
And to top it all off, you won’t be passing emissions testing anytime soon if you’re missing even a single cat converter. For the Earth’s sake as well as your own, get a replacement sooner rather than later.
MORE: How to pass emissions testing
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