How to Prevent Ford F250 Catalytic Converter Theft
The Ford F250 is a top target for catalytic converter theft. Learn how to prevent your truck from becoming the next victim!
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
The reasons you love your
Ford F250
are the same reasons thieves want to steal your catalytic converter: lifted (high ground clearance) and loud (exhaust). But there are plenty of ways to protect your truck from catalytic converter theft without asking it to change its proud character!Follow along as we cover anti-theft strategies, including parking in a secure location, scratching the VIN onto your catalytic converter, or purchasing a protective device.
And if all else fails, we’ll explain what type of
car insurance
coverage you can file a claim under if your Ford F250 is a victim of catalytic converter theft.Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversIs it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Ford F250?
The Ford F250 is a very easy target for catalytic converter (CAT) theft. In fact, the Ford F-Series is commonly the number-one target among all vehicles. Here’s why:
- Location: The Ford F250 catalytic converter is exposed on the truck's underside. Some automakers have taken the initiative to move the component into the engine bay to help prevent theft, but that is simply impossible for the Ford F250’s exhaust system.
- Ground clearance: Most modern models of the Ford F250 have between 8.2 to 8.7 inches of ground clearance, meaning criminals can easily slip under the truck and steal the catalytic converter without needing a carjack.
- Popularity: The Ford F-Series is not only the best-selling truck in America, but also the top seller among all vehicles. This means thieves have plenty of practice.
Other full-size pickups, like the
Toyota Tundra
and the Chevy Silverado
, are also popular targets for the same reason. Top Ford F250 years that catalytic converter thieves target
Any Ford F250 model from 1985 to the present will be a prime target for catalytic converter theft, mainly due to the design dilemmas we just mentioned.
However, Ford F250 models that are outfitted with dual exhaust will be even bigger targets. This is because dual exhaust systems will have two catalytic converters, making it a two-for-one special in the eyes of thieves. And the fact that a dual exhaust system is easily identifiable by two tailpipes doesn’t help things—it’s practically an invitation.
Why are Ford F250 catalytic converters stolen?
So why the heck do thieves want catalytic converters anyway? To answer that question, we have to first explain what a catalytic converter does and how it works its magic.
The inside of a catalytic converter is coated in a couple of precious metals, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. When exhaust gas from the engine enters the CAT, the exposure to the precious metals causes the gas to change its composition, reducing the levels of certain gasses.
The catalytic converter then passes the less-harmful exhaust gas off to the muffler to release it into the air. Without a functioning catalytic converter, good luck passing any sort of state-required emissions test.
But this still doesn’t answer the question of why thieves want it.
Well, as of December 2022, the precious metals contained inside the catalytic converter were trading at historically high prices—see prices below (
check live
):- Rhodium: $13,300 per ounce (0.035 – 0.071 ounces in a CAT)
- Palladium: $1,900 per ounce (0.071 – 0.247 ounces in a CAT)
- Platinum: $1,020 per ounce (0.106 – 0.247 ounces in a CAT)
With the proper tools, thieves can sneak under your truck and cut your catalytic converter out of the exhaust system in a matter of minutes. They will then sell the CAT to a scrap metal recycling center to extract the precious metals for a profit.
Ford catalytic converter replacement cost
According to RepairPal, the average cost to replace a Ford F250 catalytic converter is between $2,848 and $2,879. You can certainly opt for an aftermarket product to lower some costs, but it’s usually the labor that runs up your bill—sometimes, that feels like the real crime.
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How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Ford F250
Alright, enough standing on the sidelines! As promised, let’s discuss the various initiatives you can take to prevent Ford F250 catalytic converter theft.
Park in a secure area
Not to be captain obvious, but parking your vehicle in a private garage or a well-lit public area (even better if there’s surveillance) will deter thieves from targeting your truck.
Many states have updated their legislation to include substantial fines and lengthy jail sentences for catalytic converter theft, so it’s not in the perpetrator's best interest to attempt this crime in a secure area—there's too much of a risk.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
There are plenty of anti-theft devices that are specifically designed to make your F250 catalytic converter inaccessible or more difficult to steal.
A
CAT shield
will completely safeguard your exhaust system. It will also double as a skid plate! So you’ll be able to off-road confidently without worrying about damaging any component in your truck’s underbody.Not only will an anti-theft device act as a natural criminal deterrent (they don’t like to work harder than they have to), but your insurance company might give you a discounted rate on your comprehensive insurance if you install one!
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
By etching your VIN into your catalytic converter, you create a trail of evidence. This makes it almost impossible for the thief to sell the stolen catalytic converters to a recycling center or scrap metal dealer.
Most muffler shops will do this for a reasonably affordable price.
Midas even offered a free promotion once!
There are also plenty of Youtube how-to videos
for doing it yourself.Invest in comprehensive insurance
Technically, this doesn’t make your Ford F250 any less of a target of catalytic converter theft. But with
comprehensive insurance
, you’ll be able to submit a claim for replacement repairs. The price of this optional coverage will vary based on the model year of your Ford F250. But it typically costs between $200 and $300 per year to tack onto your policy.
Considering it will run you almost $3,000 to replace a catalytic converter, we think it’s a wise investment. Not to mention
all the other non-collision-related claims
you can make with comprehensive insurance!What to do if your Ford F250’s catalytic converter is stolen
Hopefully, we are only speaking hypothetically here, but these are the steps you’ll want to take if your Ford F250s catalytic converter is stolen:
- Contact the authorities: If the theft took place where there is surveillance footage, they could use that to potentially catch the thief.
- Contact your insurance company: If you have comprehensive coverage, you should be able to file a claim for the theft.
- Schedule a visit to the mechanic: You’ll be responsible for paying your deductible, but your insurance will cover the rest of the repair costs.
If you don’t have comprehensive coverage on your policy, you’ll still need to replace the catalytic converter, but you’ll have to pay for it out of pocket. You could find a mechanic willing to use aftermarket parts, but that will only slightly ease the pain on your wallet.
Can you drive a Ford F250 without a catalytic converter?
Technically, your Ford F250 will still function without its catalytic converter. But you should address it immediately—for two reasons.
The first is that you won’t be able to pass an emissions test without it. As part of your yearly registration renewal, many states require you to test your truck to ensure it meets environmental standards.
The second is that, while you can still drive, it will not be a pleasant experience. Since the path to the tailpipe has been interrupted (by the missing catalytic converter), the exhaust from the engine is forced out prematurely and uncontrollably. As a result, this can create uneven acceleration and very obnoxious noises.
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