The catalytic converter in most Ford F-250s is located on the underside of the vehicle, between the intake manifolds and tailpipe—making it a popular target amidst rising rates of catalytic converter theft.
Catalytic converter theft is on the rise—and shows no signs of stopping. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), theft of these valuable car components increased by over 300% from 2019 to 2020, and again between 2020 and 2021.
If you own a vehicle, you should know where your catalytic converter is located—and how to protect it. In this article, we’re covering all the bases: what your catalytic converter does, how to deter catalytic converter theft, and what to do if it happens anyway.
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 Where is the catalytic converter on a Ford F-250?
If you’re not familiar with your car’s catalytic converter, you’re probably wondering where to find it. That answer depends on the model year and engine size of your Ford F-250—but in the current generation of Super Duty trucks (those released between 2019 and 2022), the catalytic converter is typically located underneath the vehicle, between the tailpipe and intake manifolds of your exhaust system.
Because catalytic converters act as a type of filter for exhaust toxins, they’re often built right into the exhaust system itself (as is the case with F-250s). To find it, start at your truck’s tailpipe and work your way backward—if you’ve hit the muffler, then you’ve gone too far.
The catalytic converter itself looks like a long, cylindrical piece of metal that’s either soldered or bolted to the underside of the vehicle. You can also check your vehicle’s owner’s manual to find the precise location of your model’s cat-con.
What are the benefits of a catalytic converter on a Ford F-250?
Catalytic converters are an integral part of your truck’s exhaust system—without one, your vehicle would emit unfiltered toxins that could pollute the air, cause environmental damage, and even make your vehicle illegal to drive!
Catalytic converters are responsible for filtering toxic exhaust gases (think hydrocarbons and greenhouse gasses) and converting them into less harmful contaminants. It’s essentially an emissions control device for your car. Without one, your F-250 won’t meet EPA emissions standards—not to mention the performance of your engine could suffer, too.
Just what makes a catalytic converter so valuable? The catalyst in this conversion process includes a mix of precious metals like platinum, rhodium, and palladium—making them highly valuable. That also means catalytic converters are expensive to replace—in a Ford F-250, a catalytic converter replacement could cost as much as $2,600 or more.
How to protect the catalytic converter on your Ford F-250
Catalytic converters are valuable in virtually every vehicle—but unfortunately, Ford F-Series pickup trucks are among some of the most likely to have their catalytic converters stolen
. Because the catalytic converter in a Ford F-250 is easily accessible between the tailpipe and exhaust manifold, they’re one of the most targeted by thieves. That’s why it’s important to take extra precautions to protect your truck’s catalytic converter—here are just a few ways you can do so:
Install an anti-theft device
. There are a number of anti-theft devices out there—from alarms to shields to cages—all of which can deter potential thieves from targeting your truck. Park your F-250 in a garage or a well-lit area. Parking in a secured garage is the best way to prevent catalytic converter theft—but if you don’t have access to one, parking in a well-lit area (like under a street lamp or near a flood light) can help keep bandits at bay.
Write your VIN number on the catalytic converter. While writing your VIN on your cat-con won’t necessarily prevent theft, it can make it easier to trace if it does get stolen. Additionally, catalytic converters with an attached VIN are also harder to sell to aftermarket dealers.
Another way to protect yourself against catalytic converter theft is by upgrading your auto insurance to include comprehensive coverage
, which will allow you to file a claim in the event of a stolen catalytic converter—and potentially cover the costs of a replacement. What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen
Your chances of being a victim of catalytic converter theft are highest in states like California
, Texas
and Illinois
—but it can happen anywhere, and if it does, you’ll need to know how to respond. Here’s what to do: Keep a record of the incident—take pictures of the missing converter, and document any other damage to your vehicle’s exhaust system.
File a police report with local authorities.
Submit a claim to your insurance company (if you’ve got comprehensive coverage)
Replace the catalytic converter. Consider using an aftermarket replacement to lower costs and reduce the chances of repeat theft.
Consider purchasing an anti-theft device for your new catalytic converter to deter future thefts.
When to replace the catalytic converter on a Ford F-250
Your Ford F-250’s catalytic converter should last up to 15 years or 150,000 miles. But sooner or later, that part will wear out—and likely before the lifespan of your truck. If you’re approaching the above milestones, watch out for these symptoms of a failing catalytic converter:
Slow acceleration and sluggish engine performance
Undercarriage of the vehicle overheating
Illuminated check engine light
You can self-diagnose a bad catalytic converter using an OBD II scan tool. Simply plug the tool into your truck’s OBD II port—if it returns a P0420 code, then there’s a problem with the catalytic converter. Alternatively, you can bring your vehicle to a mechanic for a professional diagnosis.
The average cost to replace a Ford F-250 catalytic converter is between $2,500 and $2,600. But if the problem is only with a certain component of the catalytic converter—like the heat shield or oxygen sensors—you may be able to replace those specific parts for less money.
Ford’s emissions warranty can cover the cost of replacement catalytic converters and other components of your truck’s exhaust system within a certain window—typically, 24 months or 40,000 (whatever comes first). But if your catalytic converter has worn out due to age or natural wear and tear, a warranty won’t cover it, meaning you’ll have to pay for a replacement yourself.
How to replace a catalytic converter
It’s best to let a professional take on the job of replacing your truck’s catalytic converter. The process involves a myriad of mechanical tools like pipe cutters, gasket cleaners, pipe expanders, and sometimes even a soldering device—not the everyday DIY project for the average joe.
If, on the other hand, you're an expert mechanic with the right tools, you’ll want to make sure you purchase a new part that fits your vehicle, so be sure to look up the part number in your owner’s manual or with a reputable OEM or aftermarket dealer. While aftermarket products can help reduce your chances of having the catalytic converter stolen, you’ll still need to find a quality part that can hold up to emissions testing—and last your vehicle for years to come.
“Jerry
was easy to use, and they saved me a lot of money on my truck. I would definitely recommend them.” —Johannes T.
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