Ford Transit Catalytic Converter Location
The Ford Transit catalytic converter is located under the vehicle, between the engine and muffler—which means it could be easily accessible to thieves!
Written by Amber Reed
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The catalytic converter on a
Ford Transit
is tucked into the vehicle’s undercarriage. This makes it more challenging to steal than a low-mounted catalytic converter, but it’s still accessible to thieves.According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts spiked in 2021—and one year later, it’s still a major problem. Because replacing this crucial car component can be very expensive, it’s a good idea to know where your catalytic converter is located and take steps to protect it from crooks.
If you drive a Ford Transit and want to know more about its catalytic converter location, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explain what a catalytic converter does, show you where it’s located, and tell you what you should do if yours gets stolen.
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhere is the catalytic converter on a Ford Transit?
Although the catalytic converter on a Ford Transit is located under the vehicle, it’s mounted fairly high up into the undercarriage. Luckily, this makes it difficult to reach with a Sawzall—the tool thieves usually use to remove catalytic converters—but with a little time and effort, a motivated lawbreaker could still get to it.
While the Ford Transit isn’t immune to catalytic converter theft, it’s far less likely to fall victim to thieves than something like a
Ford F-Series
or Ford Econoline
, both of which have low-mounted, easy-to-access, catalytic converters.What are the benefits of a catalytic converter on a Ford Transit?
A catalytic converter is an important car part that reduces the pollution produced by your exhaust system.
Vehicles with combustion engines generate hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide—all of which can be harmful to the environment. It’s the catalytic converter’s job to take these harmful compounds and convert them back into carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen, and oxygen before releasing them into the air.
Because the inside of a catalytic converter is coated in a thin layer of precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium, they often command a high price from auto salvage companies or scrap metal yards—making them a popular target with thieves. It’s also why they cost so much to replace. A new catalytic converter for a Ford Transit could cost as much as $2,600!
How to protect the catalytic converter on your Ford Transit
Catalytic converter theft isn’t a huge problem for Ford Transit owners, but you may still want to take steps to protect your vehicle—especially if you live in a state with a high rate of catalytic converter theft such as
California
, Texas
, or Illinois
.Here are a few ways to prevent your Ford Transit catalytic converter from being stolen.
- Keep your vehicle parked in a garage whenever possible. One of the easiest ways to avoid catalytic converter theft is to simply park your car in a secure area such as an enclosed garage. If that’s not an option for you, parking in a well-lit area such as under a streetlamp is safer than parking in the dark.
- Get your VIN engraved into your catalytic converter. Of course, this method may not stop a thief in their tracks, but it’ll make your stolen catalytic converter much harder to sell. An auto body shop can carve your VIN into your catalytic converter with a commercial etching tool, or you can do it yourself with a cheap engraving kit.
Finally, make sure your car insurance policy includes
comprehensive coverage
. This type of coverage allows you to file a claim with your auto insurance company after a catalytic converter theft.What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen
If you’re unlucky enough to have your Ford Transit catalytic converter stolen, here’s what you should do.
- Take pictures to document the theft and your missing converter.
- Fill out a police report.
- If you have comprehensive coverage, call your insurance company and file a claim.
- Look into purchasing a replacement catalytic converter.
- Research anti-theft devices to reduce the likelihood of another theft.
When to replace the catalytic converter on a Ford Transit
So long as your catalytic converter isn’t stolen, you can usually expect it to last around 10 years. But like most car parts, it’ll eventually wear down and need to be replaced. Here are a few signs that could mean your catalytic converter is failing.
- Sluggish acceleration or reduced performance.
- Your check engine light is on.
- The underside of your vehicle overheats while driving.
- Your vehicle failed an emissions test.
If you think you might need a new catalytic converter, your best bet is to bring your vehicle to a trusted auto mechanic—but you also have the option of using your onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner to diagnose a problem with your car’s exhaust system.
Depending on the nature of the problem, you might be able to repair your car by replacing a part of your catalytic converter such as its heat shield or oxygen sensors. But if you do need to replace the whole converter, you should expect to pay somewhere between $2,000 and $2,600.
Keep in mind that all new Ford vehicles are backed by an Emissions Performance Warranty, which covers crucial components of your car’s exhaust system—including your catalytic converter—for eight years or 80,000 miles. If your catalytic converter fails within that time frame due to a factory defect, you can have it repaired or replaced at a certified Ford dealership for free. However, if your warranty expired or the problems with your catalytic converter are due to normal wear, then you’ll have to pay the repair costs out-of-pocket.
How to replace a catalytic converter
In general, you should not attempt a catalytic converter replacement on your own, unless you have a lot of experience with car maintenance and have the proper tools available. At a minimum, you’ll need a pipe cutter or torch, pipe expanders, gasket cleaners, and more!
But if you’re mechanically handy and feel like you’re capable of this type of car repair, you should start by looking up the part number for a Ford Transit catalytic converter and shopping for an OEM or OEM-quality replacement. Aftermarket catalytic converters can help reduce your overall costs, but they might be lower in quality and could wear out faster.
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