Unfortunately, the catalytic converter on a Hyundai Tucson is located underneath the vehicle between the engine and the muffler—easily accessible by thieves.

Written by Liz Jenson

Reviewed by Melanie Reiff

Updated on Dec 28, 2022

Table of Contents

Where is the catalytic converter on a Hyundai Tucson
How to protect the catalytic converter on your Hyundai Tucson
When to replace the catalytic converter on your Hyundai Tucson

The catalytic converter on a Hyundai Tucson is located on the underside of the vehicle. Unfortunately, this makes the Tucson an easy target for catalytic converter thieves.

Since they have precious materials inside, catalytic converters are often stolen and resold as aftermarket parts for a high price. Unfortunately, this could easily happen with a Hyundai Tucson, but the right

car insurance

policy could make keep you protected.

MORE:

Hyundai Tucson car insurance costs

Where is the catalytic converter on a Hyundai Tucson

On the Hyundai Tucson, you can find the catalytic converter on the underside of your vehicle between the engine and the muffler—even on newer models. The catalytic converter is part of the exhaust system for your Tucson and helps to clean the exhaust coming from your SUV before it enters the atmosphere.

Unfortunately, the Hyundai Tucson is a common target for

catalytic converter theft

. This is likely due to the converter’s easily accessible location underneath the vehicle since thieves won’t need to unlock or disarm your vehicle to access this part.

How to protect the catalytic converter on your Hyundai Tucson

Now that you know where the catalytic converter is, you’re probably wondering how you can protect it from would-be thieves—particularly since the Hyundai Tucson is one of the

Some measures you can take to protect your catalytic converter include:

Install an anti-theft device. Examples include the

CatStrap™

and the

CatClamp®

, but there are plenty of options to choose from when looking for an anti-theft device made for catalytic converters.

Park your Tucson in a garage or a well-lit area. Having a consistent, secure parking spot off the street completely will discourage thieves from targeting your Tucson.

Put your VIN number on the catalytic converter. Writing your vehicle’s VIN on your catalytic converter probably won’t discourage thieves from snatching it. However, it will make this part much more easily traceable, so you might be able to track down your Hyundai’s catalytic converter if it does get stolen.

Another great way to protect your vehicle (and your wallet) is by purchasing an auto insurance policy that includes

comprehensive coverage

. With this type of protection, you’ll be able to file a claim in the event that your catalytic converter is stolen to help you cover the cost of a replacement.

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What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen

If you find that you’ve been bested by catalytic converter thieves, you’ll need to follow these steps:

Take some pictures to document the theft for insurance purposes.

File a police report before attempting to move your vehicle.

If you have comprehensive car insurance coverage,

submit a claim

with your car insurance company.

Check the market for a more affordable aftermarket catalytic converter, which might discourage thieves in the future.

Consider installing an anti-theft device on your vehicle.

MORE:

The best vehicle anti-theft devices to keep your car safe

When to replace the catalytic converter on your Hyundai Tucson

Even if your catalytic converter isn’t stolen, it might need to be replaced once your Hyundai Tucson reaches a certain age. Specifically, most Tucsons will require a new catalytic converter after 10 years of driving.

Some signs that your catalytic converter is reaching the end of its life include:

A loud noise from your engine

Black and/or sulfurous,

foul-smelling exhaust smoke

A sluggish performance from your vehicle

Slower acceleration

The underside of your SUV starts overheating regularly

Your check engine light turns on

Your car fails a smog or emissions test

If you notice one or more of these warning signs, it’s time to use an onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner to determine whether or not your vehicle has any systemic faults. Another option is to visit a mechanic to get the issue professionally assessed.

In some cases, you’ll just need to

repair the catalytic converter without replacing it

. However, this is a pretty unlikely scenario, and chances are that you’ll need to replace the entire catalytic converter.

Hyundai’s warranty program will cover your Tucson’s catalytic converter for up to eight years or 80,000 miles, whichever one comes first. If your catalytic converter fails after this warranty has expired, however, you’ll need to pay for these expensive repairs yourself.

MORE:

Are Hyundais expensive to maintain?

How to replace a catalytic converter

While some types of car repairs can be significantly cheaper when you do them yourself, catalytic converter replacement isn’t one of them. That’s because the real cost of catalytic converter replacement doesn’t come from labor costs, but rather from the parts themselves, which are typically over $2,000.

We recommend calling your mechanic for this type of repair. It will only tack a little bit onto your final bill, and you won’t run the risk of accidentally damaging a $2,000 par for your vehicle!

The cost of replacing your catalytic converter

Replacing the catalytic converter in your Hyundai Tucson will cost you, on average, between $2,048 and $2,122. However, labor costs only make up about $52 to $66 of that cost, as the catalytic converter itself is the expensive part. No wonder it’s often targeted by thieves looking to make some extra cash!

But why is this part so expensive? To perform its function, the catalytic converter will typically contain an expensive mix of precious metals, which may include platinum, palladium, and rhodium among others. With that kind of material inside, it’s no surprise that a catalytic converter costs a pretty penny.

What are the benefits of a catalytic converter on a Hyundai Tucson?

You may be wondering: why replace such an expensive part? The catalytic converter is essentially an emissions control device. This very important part of your car’s exhaust system converts toxic exhaust gases like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into pollutants that are less harmful to the environment.

This isn’t just about being environmentally friendly, though! Without a catalytic converter, your Tucson won’t meet EPA emissions standards, and you’ll see a drop in overall engine performance.

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