While it isn’t a top target for catalytic converter theft, the Honda Clarity is by no means safe from it (like any other vehicle). Fortunately, you can protect your vehicle by parking in a secure, well-lit area, engraving your VIN onto your catalytic converter, or installing an anti-theft device such as a catalytic converter shield.
Whether you’re taking steps to prevent catalytic converter theft or—and we hope this isn’t the case—your Clarity’s converter has already been stolen, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll show you how to prevent catalytic converter theft, what to do if yours has been stolen, and what type of car insurance coverage you need to file a claim.
Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Honda Clarity?
Not nearly as easy as it could be. Fortunately, the Honda Clarity’s catalytic converter is positioned in a fairly out-of-the-way spot underneath the middle of the vehicle, making it slightly more difficult to access.
What’s more, the Honda Clarity doesn’t have much by way of ground clearance, which means a thief would have to jack up the vehicle before they could get under it to cut it out—a desperate crook might do this, but most will move on to easier marks.
Which Honda Clarity model years are targeted for catalytic converter theft?
While the Honda Clarity has technically been around since 2008 under the name FCX Clarity, 48 were leased to U.S.-based drivers between 2008 and 2014, all of whom lived in Southern California. It was not until 2016 that the Honda Clarity as we know it was released and became available to more drivers before being discontinued in 2021.
If thieves are going to try and steal the catalytic converter from a Clarity, it will most likely be from one built during this second generation.
MORE: How to pass emissions testing
Why are Honda Clarity catalytic converters stolen?
In general, catalytic converters—in any vehicle—are stolen due to the fact that they contain precious metals like palladium, rhodium, and platinum, all of which are highly valued and fetch a fair price when sold.
Seeing as catalytic converters (especially those in trucks and older vehicles) aren’t very hard to steal, it’s an easy, low-risk way for thieves to make money. On a vehicle with high ground clearance—which the Honda Clarity, thankfully, does not have—thieves only need to scoot under, cut the pipes on either end of the converter, and get out with the stolen part.
Honda catalytic converter replacement cost
In the unlikely event that your Honda Clarity’s catalytic converter is stolen, you’ll be looking at a hefty repair bill to replace it—the part itself can cost anywhere from $2,350 to $2,500 and the labor charge is likely to be upwards of $200, bringing you to a total of at least $2,550. It’s not unheard of to pay over $3,000 total to replace a catalytic converter, especially in newer vehicles.
MORE: Are Hondas expensive to maintain?
How to prevent Honda Clarity catalytic converter theft
For the most part, the Honda Clarity isn’t high on the list of targets for catalytic converter theft, but you may be at higher risk if you drive a Honda Clarity plug-in electric hybrid (PHEV), as the converters in hybrid vehicles typically sell for a higher price.
To help prevent having your Clarity’s catalytic converter stolen, follow the anti-theft strategies listed below.
Park in a secure, well-lit area
One of the easiest ways to prevent thieves from stealing your Honda Clarity’s catalytic converter is to park in an area that is difficult to access or, at the very least, makes your vehicle a less enticing target.
Ideally, this would be a secure garage—but if you don’t have one or if you’re parking somewhere public, try to park in a well-lit area, such as under a streetlamp or in front of motion sensor lights.
It’s worth noting, however, that seasoned thieves have been known to steal catalytic converters in broad daylight, so this method is by no means foolproof.
Install a catalytic converter shield
A significantly more successful method of preventing converter thefts is to invest in and install an anti-theft device such as a catalytic converter cage or shield. In design, these devices are fairly simple and consist of an aluminum cage or plate that covers your Clarity’s catalytic converter(s).
Two of the most popular anti-theft shields are the Cat Shield™ from MillerCAT and the Cat Security™ Cat Shield, but you can find any number of products on Amazon—just make sure they fit your exact model.
Typically, catalytic converter shields are pretty easy to install, so you should have no problem doing it yourself. Depending on the type of device you buy, the kit may even include the hand tools and bolts necessary for the installation.
Aside from deterring would-be thieves, a catalytic converter shield or other anti-theft devices
can make you eligible for a discount on your comprehensive insurance policy, so it’s worth inquiring with your provider about. Etch your VIN on the catalytic converter
While this technically won’t help prevent your catalytic converter from being stolen, etching your VIN on it can make the part harder for a thief to sell—assuming their buyer is the reputable sort, that is.
If you decide to go down this road, look for an etching event in your area—the National Insurance Crime Bureau holds regular catalytic converter etching events throughout the United States—or take your vehicle to a muffler shop.
Purchase comprehensive insurance coverage
Similar to etching your VIN, purchasing comprehensive insurance coverage
won’t prevent thieves from stealing your Honda Clarity’s catalytic converter, but it will make it much easier—and much less expensive—to replace the part if it is stolen. If your insurance policy doesn’t include comprehensive coverage, you won’t be able to file a claim for the theft itself, which means the full cost of replacing the converter is your responsibility.
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 What to do if your Honda Clarity’s catalytic converter is stolen
If despite your best efforts, your Honda Clarity’s catalytic converter is stolen, the first thing you should do is contact the authorities—the sooner you report the crime, the sooner the police can try to find the thief.
Even if the thief is never found and the catalytic converter is never recovered, it’s still important to file a police report, a document you’ll need if you intend to contact your insurance company and file a claim. If you have comprehensive coverage, filing a claim
should be no big deal—and seeing as replacing a catalytic converter is extremely expensive, you’ll want to file a claim if possible. Once a claim is filed, your insurance company will help you schedule repairs with a mechanic and cover any replacement costs incurred—you’ll still have to pay the deductible
, of course, but you won’t have to pay for the entire replacement out of pocket. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you’ll still need to replace the stolen converter—you’ll just have to pay for it yourself. If you can find a mechanic who is willing to install compatible aftermarket parts, you should be able to reduce the replacement costs.
Can you drive a Honda Clarity without a catalytic converter?
Technically, yes, you can drive a Honda Clarity that’s missing its catalytic converter—the real question you need to be asking, however, is should you drive your Honda Clarity without a catalytic converter, in which case the answer is no, not really.
This is largely due to the fact that any Honda Clarity missing its catalytic converter will be unable to pass emissions testing—and if you live in a state where passing a smog test is required to renew your license, you’ll need to replace your catalytic converter before that deadline passes.
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