While the Honda Ridgeline doesn’t make the top 10 list of most targeted vehicles, trucks are a tempting target for thieves because of the higher ground clearance and multiple catalytic converters. However, you can take steps to protect your truck, including being careful where you park, adding your VIN to the catalytic converter, or adding a protective shield.
If you’ve seen all the latest news on catalytic converter theft and want to protect your Ridgeline, Jerry’s got your car repair
guide to preventing theft in the first place, what you can do if your truck is targeted, and how car insurance
can help you out if your catalytic converters are stolen. 
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 Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Honda Ridgeline?
Trucks are easier to target, and your Ridgeline is no exception. It has three catalytic converters around the engine, so thieves also have more payout.
A Honda Ridgeline is more tempting for thieves because the higher ground clearance makes it easier for someone to slip up under the engine and take the catalytic converters. They can slip under your engine without using a car jack to get enough space.
Your Ridgeline isn’t the only truck thieves are interested in. Anyone with a larger truck, like the Ford F-Series and the Chevy Silverado, is a potential target. Midsize and SUV vehicles are also popular with thieves, like the Toyota Tacoma pickup, the Toyota Sequoia SUV, or the mid-size 4Runner. Ground clearance is a big reason why.
Top Honda Ridgeline years that catalytic converter thieves target
Regardless of whether you have a first or second-generation model, any Ridgeline created between 2006 and now is a potential target. While they have a lower ground clearance than other trucks (between 7 and 8 inches, depending on your model), they are still easier to get under than cars, which require a jack.
While Honda hasn’t created a hybrid model for the Ridgeline yet, they are expected to have one in the future. Hybrid models are even more popular with thieves because they use more of the expensive precious metals that make up the catalytic converter, the reason the part is stolen in the first place.
Why are Honda Ridgeline catalytic converters stolen?
Thieves are interested in your catalytic converter because it contains a combination of precious metals, like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. It’s not just being a fancy accessory, the catalytic converter helps remove toxic chemicals from your exhaust thanks to a miniature honeycomb-like filter made of those precious metals.
Just to give you an idea of why those precious metals are so tempting to thieves, here is the going price for December 2022:
Palladium: $1,740 per ounce
Rhodium: $12,400 per ounce
While each catalytic converter has less than an ounce of those metals, the payout still adds up pretty fast with those kinds of prices. A catalytic converter is also easier to grab than something like a fancy watch, which may or may not even have precious metals.
And since your Ridgeline has almost 8 inches of clearance
underneath it, it’s less hassle than a car, plus it has three catalytic converters to steal. All a thief has to do is scoot under your engine, hack out the parts, then move on. Toyota catalytic converter replacement cost
Beyond the hassle, another reason catalytic converter theft is so awful is the price tag. Depending on the year of your Honda Ridgeline and the labor cost in your area, it can cost between $1,880 and nearly $4,000, especially if you need all three catalytic converters replaced. You might be able to get an aftermarket option, but the repair is still going to be expensive.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Honda Ridgeline
Okay, so what can you do to prevent your Honda Ridgeline from being targeted? Let’s look at your options.
Park in a secure area
Where you park makes a difference. Choosing a garage or a place with lights and video surveillance is a safer option. Adding motion sensor lights to your home is another way to go—you want to make it harder for the thieves to hide.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
You can also get anti-theft devices, like a shield or cage made of aluminum. Several companies specialize in these devices, such as the Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
and Cat Security™
, while retailers like Amazon carry options. Of course, make sure the item works with your Honda Ridgeline before making a purchase. Since most anti-theft devices are made for easy installation, you might be able to install the device yourself. Depending on your purchase, it can come with all the necessary tools for installation.
Besides the benefit of making it harder to steal your catalytic converters, you might be eligible for an insurance discount from your insurer – check with your agent if you install an anti-theft device.
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Another option is to paint your catalytic converter so it stands out or to etch or tag it with your truck’s VIN to make it easy to trace and hard to sell.
You might be able to find a local event sponsored by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) so you can get your catalytic converters tagged. Or you can check with a local muffler shop about the service.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
While insurance can’t prevent theft, it does protect yourself in the long run. If you have comprehensive insurance
, you can get help with replacing your catalytic converters if your Ridgeline is targeted. Otherwise, you’ll have to pay for the repair entirely out of pocket. This is one reason it’s important to think about going beyond the state minimum required insurance
as a vehicle owner. The state minimum is just that, the minimum. It won’t go very far if you get in an accident, and it doesn’t cover things like storm damage, theft, or vandalism, but options like comprehensive insurance do. What to do if your Honda Ridgeline’s catalytic converter is stolen
Let’s say the worst happens and your Honda Ridgeline’s catalytic converters are stolen. First, contact the authorities. They might be able to pull security footage, depending on the location, and they can file a police report.
After that, contact your insurance company. Hopefully, you have comprehensive coverage since you can get help with a claim for theft. After all, you could be looking at thousands of dollars in repairs.
If your insurance is going to help you cover the costs, they will work with you on scheduling the repairs with a mechanic and covering costs. You probably have a deductible to pay first, but it will still be cheaper than paying for everything yourself.
Unfortunately, if you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you still need to get that repair, but you’ll have to foot the entire bill. Try to find a mechanic with access to aftermarket parts since that can help save on the cost.
Can you drive a Honda Ridgeline without a catalytic converter?
Once you’re done yelling into the void for a bit, you probably want to know whether it’s safe to drive your Honda Ridgeline
. Yes, short-term, as long as the thieves didn’t damage other parts of your engine while ripping out the catalytic converters. However, you can’t ignore the problem long-term. If you have to pass an , your truck won’t be able to without the repairs. Plus, your driving experience is going to be a lot less pleasant. The catalytic converters help minimize noise from your engine, and it also affects things like acceleration.
Beyond that, you will also start noticing your Ridgeline just plain stinks since it will produce a lot of smoke—all those nasty chemicals usually filtered out by the catalytic converters will start pumping into the air. Not only is it an environmental hazard, it’s bad for you. And since the catalytic converters are tied to your exhaust system, you’re going to run into problems with your engine running hotter and potentially overheating
. Unfortunately, this is not a case of ignoring the problem and it goes away. Sorry.
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