How to Prevent Honda Odyssey Catalytic Converter Theft
Depending on how old your Honda Odyssey is, it could be an easy target for catalytic converter thieves. Read more here!
Written by Brittni Brinn
Reviewed by Hillary Kobayashi
As catalytic converter thefts continue to rise, Honda Odysseys older than 2017 are at a higher risk because of where their “cat” is. You can limit the risk posed to your Honda Odyssey by parking in a secure place, etching the VIN onto your catalytic converter, or purchasing a protective device or anti-theft plate.
According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), catalytic converter theft jumped over 900% between 2018 and 2020—that’s an almost unbelievable increase! With catalytic converters disappearing at an alarming rate, it’s important to take steps to prevent theft and protect your vehicle with the best car insurance.
Let’s break down ways that you can prevent your Honda Odyssey’s catalytic converter from being stolen, and what type of
car insurance
you need to cover it. 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 Honda Odyssey?
The answer depends on how old your Honda Odyssey is.
Models from before 2017 have their catalytic converter on the underside of the vehicle. This is generally more accessible to cat thieves, so older models of the Odyssey are at a higher risk for catalytic converter theft—however, the Odyssey's lower ground clearance can dissuade some thieves from making the attempt.
Larger vehicles with high ground clearance, like the
Ford F-Series
and the full-size Toyota Sequoia
SUV, tend to be targeted more regularly than cars you need a jack to get under.Odysseys made after 2017 have their catalytic converters tucked away in the engine compartment, making it much harder for thieves to swoop in and make off like a bandit with your cat.
Top Honda Odyssey years that catalytic converter thieves target
Honda Odysseys made prior to 2017 are the top models targeted by cat thieves. Since the catalytic converter is on the underside of the vehicle as opposed to tucked away in the engine bay—which is the case with newer Odysseys—it’s more accessible.
However, because the Odyssey is not available as a hybrid, your vehicle may not be targeted as often. Hybrid catalytic converters use a higher concentration of precious metals, so they’re more valuable for thieves to resell.
Why are Honda Odyssey catalytic converters stolen?
Even though the Odyssey isn’t on the top ten list for cat thieves' favorite vehicles, your catalytic converter is still a hot item.
Catalytic converters filter harmful emissions out of your Odyssey’s exhaust using a honeycomb of precious metals, like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. The value of those materials has exploded over the past few years, making catalytic converters a gold mine for thieves looking to make a quick buck.
Here are the 2022 values of what each mineral in your catalytic converter is worth:
- Palladium: $2,938 per ounce
- Platinum: $1,128 per ounce
- Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce
Even though there’s less than an ounce of each metal in your cat, if someone steals enough of them, they can be in for a decent payout.
Honda Odyssey catalytic converter replacement cost
According to RepairPal, the average cost for an Odyssey catalytic converter replacement is between $1,737 and $1,768.
This cost isn’t a small expense, and repeat thefts can take a huge cut out of your paycheck—unless you have
comprehensive insurance
that covers cat theft. An aftermarket replacement cat could reduce your costs, but labor costs and the need to replace aftermarket parts more often may make springing for an original part worth it. How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Honda Odyssey
Nobody wants to come back to their car after a shopping trip to find that the catalytic converter has been stolen! Here are some anti-theft strategies that can help to keep your Odyssey protected and in one piece:
Park in a secure and well-lit area
A garage is your best bet when it comes to parking safety, but if there isn’t one nearby, a well-lit area with video surveillance is the next best thing. When it comes to parking at home, investing in some motion sensor lights for your driveway is a good way to deter theft if you don’t have access to a locked garage.
A potential thief is more likely to avoid cars that are clearly visible or are being monitored.
Invest in a catalytic converter shield
Anti-theft devices, like a catalytic converter shield, are another way you can prevent catalytic converter theft. Essentially, the shield will come as an aluminum plate or cage that covers your cat and makes it almost impossible to remove.
Although it can be harder to track down an aftermarket shield for your Odyssey, you can start with product lines, like Cat Shield™ and Cat Security™. Make sure that the cat shield you find is compatible with your Odyssey.
Another benefit of using a catalytic converter shield is that you’ll most likely be able to DIY the installation.
One more benefit of installing anti-theft devices: your insurance company might give you a discounted rate for installing one! By adding protection to your vehicle, you make it less of a risk to insure.
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
If you embed your VIN on your cat, it will be much easier for the authorities to trace. Successful recovery of your stolen catalytic converter can save you tons of money and hassle!
You can tag your catalytic converter by attending one of the NICB’s regular catalytic converter etching events. If you aren’t somewhere where these events are common, you can also just get your cat tagged at your muffler shop.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Having comprehensive insurance coverage won’t prevent catalytic converter theft—but it sure comes in handy after the fact!
Without
comprehensive insurance
, your plan likely won’t cover theft or vandalism damages—meaning that you’ll have to pay for your cat replacement. Especially if you have a newer Odyssey, protecting your investment with insurance is usually a good call!
What to do if your Honda Odyssey’s catalytic converter is stolen
The first step once you’ve realized that your catalytic converter was stolen is to contact the police. Reporting the theft as soon as possible increases the chances that the perpetrator will be caught—hopefully, still in possession of your missing cat!
The authorities can pull surveillance footage to help identify the thief as well, improving the chance that your cat will be returned and you can avoid a pricey replacement—or a time-consuming insurance claim.
Once the authorities have been contacted, a police report will be filed. This is necessary if you are going to file a claim with your insurance company. Letting your provider know about the theft is the next step—if you have comprehensive insurance, the claim will likely cover the cost of your missing cat.
If the theft is covered by your insurance, your insurance company will work with you to schedule repairs. Even if you have to pay the deductible amount on your claim, it will likely be much less than the cost of a full catalytic converter replacement.
Even if you don’t have insurance coverage for your catalytic converter, you can save a bit of money by taking your Odyssey to a mechanic who is willing to use aftermarket parts.
Can you drive a Honda Odyssey without a catalytic converter?
It is never recommended to drive your vehicle without a catalytic converter. Even if your state doesn’t have strict emissions laws, you can be fined under federal law for driving without a cat. So, even though your Odyssey technically still functions without a catalytic converter, it’s not a good idea.
In states that do require regular emissions testing, your Honda Odyssey won’t be able to pass without a catalytic converter, meaning that you won’t be able to renew your registration. In addition to releasing harmful pollution into the atmosphere, driving an Odyssey without a cat in place is most unpleasant—you’ll have to get used to
loud engine noise
, rough acceleration, and a smelly vehicle.The bottom line: your Odyssey technically still functions without a catalytic converter, but you should get it to the auto shop as soon as possible if you want to enjoy driving it and stay compliant with state and federal emissions laws.
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