How to Prevent Honda HR-V Catalytic Converter Theft
Hondas are frequently targeted by catalytic converter thieves. Here’s how you can protect your HR-V.
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
Hondas across the board are targeted for catalytic converter theft more often than other vehicles. Even though the HR-V isn’t at the top of the risk list, it’s still a good idea to prevent theft by parking in well-lit areas, etching the VIN onto your catalytic converter, or installing a catalytic converter anti-theft plate.
Exiting the grocery store to discover that your catalytic converter has been stolen can be a shock—and buying a replacement “cat” can also be a massive drain on your wallet. To avoid these two unpleasant consequences of catalytic converter theft, you can take some preventative measures.
Here are a few ways to go about protecting your cat—and which
car insurance
coverage will help you after a theft.Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Honda HR-V?
Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy to steal a cat from a Honda. The good news for HR-V owners is that their vehicle isn’t one that is generally targeted by thieves. It’s more likely that catalytic converter thieves will pick a Honda Accord or Honda CR-V over your small SUV.
But that doesn’t mean your HR-V is in the clear. Since Hondas generally have their catalytic converters unprotected on the underside of the vehicle, it’s easier for thieves to access them. With a quick couple of cuts, someone can remove the cat from the exhaust line and run off with it.
The HR-V is a smaller SUV, which means it’s not as easy to get underneath as, say, a
Toyota Sequoia
. But your Honda is still at risk, so it’s smart to invest a little to deter thieves so that you don’t have to pay for an expensive catalytic converter.Top Honda HR-V years that catalytic converter thieves target
Even though the HR-V isn’t at the top of any most-stolen catalytic converters lists, there are a few factors that make older vehicles more appealing for cat thieves.
For one thing, older catalytic converters may contain more of the precious materials that make cats so valuable to thieves. Also, some newer model vehicles have moved the catalytic converter into the engine bay and other less-accessible places, making them more difficult to remove.
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Why are Honda HR-V catalytic converters stolen?
To filter your vehicle’s emissions, your HR-V’s catalytic converter passes the exhaust through precious metals, like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. Over the past few years, these materials have become more valuable—as of 2022, here’s what each of these metals in your catalytic converter is valued at:
- Platinum: $1,128 per ounce
- Palladium: $2,938 per ounce
- Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce
However, one catalytic converter won’t carry nearly that much value, as there’s less than an ounce of each material in the filter system. But if a thief gets their hands on a dozen cats or so, they could be in for a nice payday.
Honda HR-V catalytic converter replacement cost
To replace a catalytic converter for your HR-V, you’ll be looking at a mechanic bill between $1,493 and $1,525.
You can save a bit of money by opting for an aftermarket replacement, but it’s still going to cost a fair chunk of change.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Honda HR-V
It’s always a good idea to take preventive steps to keep your catalytic converter safe. Here are a few easy ways to deter thieves.
Park in a secure area
The more difficult it is to steal your cat unseen, the less likely thieves will target your vehicle.
Parking in a garage or a well-lit part of the street can make your HR-V less attractive. Installing motion sensor lights in your driveway can also go a long way in dissuading thieves from trying to run off with your catalytic converter. If there’s video surveillance in the parking lot where you leave your car, even better!
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Another way to make your HR-V less inviting to cat thieves is by installing a catalytic converter anti-theft shield. Basically, the shield is a metal cage or plate that blocks access to your cat, making it difficult to remove.
If you want to go this route, check out
Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
or even do a product search on Amazon. Make sure that the anti-theft device you find is compatible with your HR-V. An anti-theft shield shouldn’t be too difficult to install and can make for a good DIY project. Depending on the device you buy, it may even come with the required bolts and tools to install it.
In addition to protecting your catalytic converter, anti-theft devices may also qualify you for a discount with your insurance company!
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Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Etching your HR-V’s VIN on the catalytic converter is a great way to make it less desirable for potential thieves—a tagged cat is a lot easier for the police to track down and is a lot harder to pawn off for quick cash.
Depending on where you live, you might be able to attend an etching event held by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). But there are other options available—call your local muffler shop to see if they provide tagging services.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Even though having
car insurance
coverage won’t prevent catalytic converter thefts from occurring, you’ll still be glad to have it—so long as you have comprehensive insurance on your policy. Comprehensive insurance
covers damage to your vehicle caused by non-accident-related incidents, like theft. Without it, you won’t be able to file a claim
for your stolen catalytic converter and you’ll have to pay for the replacement completely out of pocket. What to do if your Honda HR-V’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you discover that your catalytic converter is missing, contact the authorities right away. Every minute is valuable—depending on where the theft took place, the police might be able to track down the thief and recover your stolen property.
This is another reason to park in an area with good lighting and surveillance cameras, as the authorities can reference security footage to identify the perpetrator.
Even if the thief is long gone, calling law enforcement ensures that a police report of the theft will be filed. You’ll need this to contact your insurance company and make a claim. Remember, your auto insurance policy has to have comprehensive coverage in order to cover repair costs resulting from theft.
If your claim is successful, your provider will help you schedule repairs with a mechanic and reimburse you for the replacement cat. Depending on the details of your coverage, you may have to pay a deductible first. However, the deductible is likely to be much lower than the cost of the replacement, so filing a claim is probably worth it!
In the case that you don’t have sufficient insurance coverage, you’ll have to replace the catalytic converter and pay for it yourself. Finding a mechanic who’s willing to use aftermarket parts can save you a bit of money on replacement costs.
Can you drive a Honda HR-V without a catalytic converter?
Driving without a catalytic converter for an extended period is not a good idea. For one thing, your vehicle will be a lot louder and it will be harder to accelerate. But the main reason to get your cat replaced as soon as possible is to comply with emission laws.
Without a catalytic converter, your HR-V will not pass emissions testing, meaning that you won’t be able to renew your registration in some states. Plus, it’s required in all states that your vehicle has a catalytic converter in order to cut back on smog and other harmful toxins.
Replacing your catalytic converter will keep your car legal and healthy—not to mention more eco-friendly!
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