Catalytic converter theft has increased dramatically in recent years, and since the part is relatively easy to steal, most cars are at risk. Because of the Ford EcoSport’s size, however, its catalytic converter isn’t among the most sought-after.

That doesn’t guarantee that yours is safe, though. So here, we’ll go over some ways to prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen, what to do if it does get stolen, and everything else you need to know.

MORE:

Compare Ford EcoSport insurance costs

Is it easy to steal a Ford Ecosport’s catalytic converter?

Yes, though not as easy as it is in other cars. Smaller cars like the EcoSport generally just have one catalytic converter located on the car’s underside attached to its exhaust.

Because of its relatively low ground clearance, all but the skinniest of thieves would have to raise EcoSport to reach its catalytic converter. That’s why bigger trucks and SUVs are the most common victims—their undersides are easily accessible. And since bigger cars generally emit more fumes, their catalytic converters are bigger.

Hybrid cars are also hit frequently since their catalytic converters have higher concentrations of valuable precious metals.

Once you’re under the car, though, it’s fairly simple to cut through the exhaust with a saw and snatch a catalytic converter.

MORE:

Cars most targeted by catalytic converter thieves

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Why do Ford EcoSport catalytic converters get stolen?

Catalytic converters help clean a car’s exhaust to reduce its emissions. For this reason, they’re particularly important in states like

California

Arizona

, and

Colorado

, which have laws regulating vehicle emissions.

They accomplish this with valuable precious metals like rhodium, palladium, and platinum, which makes cats valuable and easily sold for profit. Even an ounce of palladium and platinum is worth well over $1,000 and an ounce of rhodium is worth more than $10,000.

A single catalytic converter has just a fraction of an ounce of each of these, but since they’re so easy to steal, rounding up several is fairly easy for thieves.

Ford EcoSport catalytic converter replacement cost

The final nail in the coffin—once they’re stolen, catalytic converters are expensive to replace. Prices for catalytic converters manufactured by

Ford

, many of which

are backordered

, range from a few hundred dollars to over $4,000 depending on the vehicle.

A genuine Ford

catalytic converter for an EcoSport

has an MSRP of $1,137.13 but is discounted to $955.20 as of December 2022. Unless you’re replacing it yourself, which isn’t easy if you don’t have experience, you’ll also have to pay for labor.

How to prevent your Ford Ecosport’s catalytic converter from getting stolen

There are a few ways to make your car less of a target:

Park in a safe area: The simplest is to be aware of where you park. Though this can’t always be avoided, leaving your car in parking lots or garages unattended for long periods is risky.

Engrave your car’s VIN onto the catalytic converter: This lets potential buyers know the converter is stolen, making them less likely to buy it and thieves less likely to steal it. Many cities and towns hold workshops where you can do this easily.

Paint the catalytic converter a bright color: Similarly, spray-painting it a bright color makes it stand out as stolen, so a thief would have to remove all the paint before selling it.

Install an alarm or shield: You can install an alarm that will sound when the catalytic converter is tampered with or a shield that can be bolted or welded over it, making it much more difficult to remove.

MORE: How to pass emissions testing

What to do if your catalytic converter gets stolen

You’ll know if your catalytic converter has been stolen

because your car will be much louder than it normally is. The thief may have also damaged other parts of your car, so it’s best to get it taken care of as soon as possible.

You should also contact your insurance company.

Comprehensive coverage

covers damage to your car that wasn’t caused by collisions, so it might help lower the cost of replacing the catalytic converter. You’ll still have to pay a deductible, but it’ll likely be much cheaper than paying for the entire repair out of pocket.

Can you drive without a catalytic converter?

It depends. Your car won’t pass emissions testing without a catalytic converter. So if you live in one of the 34 states that regulate vehicle emissions, you’ll run into trouble sooner or later. On top of that, your car will be much louder and its emissions will increase significantly.

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