The Hyundai Tucson unfortunately ticks all the boxes when it comes to being a target for catalytic converter theft. Practical steps you can take to prevent theft include parking in a secure location, putting your VIN on the catalytic converter, or purchasing an anti-theft device.

If you’re worried about having your catalytic converter stolen—or have already fallen victim to Tucson cat theft—we’re here to help. We’ll talk about how to prevent catalytic converter theft, what you should do if you’ve had yours stolen, and what kind of

car insurance

will cover this type of loss.

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Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Hyundai Tucson?

It’s never fun to be the bearer of bad news, but yes it is. Ever since the model was first introduced for the 2005 model year, the Hyundai Tucson’s catalytic converter has been put in essentially the same spot.

Being an SUV, the Tucson is higher off the ground than a regular car, and it’s quite feasible for thieves to crawl under and rip out the cat in a matter of seconds. Other commonly targeted SUVs include the

, and

, but

pickup trucks are the top most targeted vehicles for catalytic converter theft in the U.S.

Top Hyundai Tucson years that catalytic converter thieves target

No Hyundai Tucson is safe, but your Tucson is especially a target if it’s a hybrid or plug-in hybrid. This is because hybrid catalytic converters contain an even higher concentration of precious metals than standard cats.

That means that newer 2022–2023 Hyundai Tucson models will likely be the most targeted by catalytic converter theft.

Why are Hyundai Tucson catalytic converters stolen?

Catalytic converters contain fine amounts of precious metals, including rhodium, platinum, and palladium. In fact, the price of palladium tripled from 2018 to 2021. It’s worth more than the value of gold, and rhodium is worth about ten times as much as gold.

As of December 2022, here’s what each of these metals in your Tucson’s catalytic converter is worth:

Rhodium: $12,600 per ounce

Palladium: $1,854 per ounce

Platinum: $1,021 per ounce

There’s obviously not an entire ounce of precious metal in a single catalytic converter, but the fact that it’s incredibly easy to steal them makes cat theft a pretty lucrative hustle.

Hyundai Tucson catalytic converter replacement cost

You can expect a catalytic converter replacement for a Hyundai Tucson to cost about $2,000, meaning that a stolen cat can really set you back. If you do have to replace your catalytic converter, you should consider going for a third-party replacement, since the original factory parts are usually worth more. Regardless, it’s still going to cost you a lot to replace it, and the repair is no simple DIY task.

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How to fix a catalytic converter without replacing it

How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Hyundai Tucson

Now that you’re aware that your Hyundai Tucson is a target for catalytic converter thieves, you’re probably wondering what you can even do about it! Well, here are some practical steps that you can take to reduce your risk.

Park in a secure area

Parking somewhere like a garage is your best bet, but of course, we can’t all have garages. You could also park in a well-lit area like under a street lamp, and parking somewhere that’s under video or security surveillance will also keep your SUV safer.

Basically, it’s about making it hard for thieves to access your vehicle without being seen.

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How to tell if a parking garage is liable for a stolen or damaged vehicle

Buy a catalytic converter shield

A catalytic converter shield is an anti-theft device that you can install that covers your cat and makes it harder to access. The

Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT

and devices from

Cat Security™

are a good place to start—just make sure that the one you buy is made to fit your Tucson.

Cat shields are fairly easy to install, making them a simple yet beneficial DIY project for Tucson owners. One of the benefits of installing anti-theft devices like these is that some insurance companies will give you a discount on comprehensive insurance coverage for it.

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The best anti-theft devices to keep your vehicle safe

Put your VIN on the catalytic converter

Etching your VIN onto your catalytic converter makes it harder for a thief to sell, so if your VIN is visibly on your cat, it’s less likely to be a target.

Any auto shop that works on mufflers can help you with this and some will do it for free. It’s fairly difficult to do on your own, but that doesn’t need to stop you from trying! Just make sure you take proper precautions and understand the tools you’re using.

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Invest in comprehensive insurance

While having

comprehensive insurance

won’t prevent or reduce your risk of catalytic converter theft, it will reimburse you if you have your Tucson’s catalytic converter stolen.

Unfortunately, other forms of insurance won’t likely cover catalytic converter replacement after a theft, so if you only have basic liability coverage, you’ll have to pay out of pocket for the replacement. Of course, if you have a more recent Hyundai Tucson model, you’d be best off following suit with the majority of new car owners and opting for full-coverage insurance.

What to do if your Hyundai Tucson’s catalytic converter is stolen

If you’re here because you’ve already had your Hyundai Tucson cat stolen, you’ll want to start off by filing a police report. Make sure to document the theft by taking pictures of the spot where the catalytic converter is supposed to be. If there’s a security camera nearby, you may be able to get that footage pulled to get an idea of where your catalytic converter has gone.

Unfortunately, it’s uncommon that the police are actually able to catch catalytic converter thieves. The best-case scenario for you would be that they bust someone who has a cache of stolen cats and your marked or etched catalytic converter is in the pile, just waiting to return to its rightful Tucson.

If you’re not so lucky, hopefully you have comprehensive coverage. If you do, your next step should be to contact your insurance company and file a claim for theft. You’ll likely need to pay a deductible before getting the full payout, but it’s rare that the deductible will put much of a dent in the coverage of replacement.

In the worst-case scenario, you’ll have to pay for the replacement yourself—you really shouldn’t make a habit of driving without your catalytic converter. If you can find a mechanic who can replace it with an aftermarket part, you’re likely to save a bit compared to the common full price.

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How to know if your catalytic converter was stolen

Can you drive a Hyundai Tucson without a catalytic converter?

Yes, it is still safe to drive without your catalytic converter, but it’s not a great idea to do it for very long.

First of all, you won’t pass emissions testing with a missing catalytic converter. So if you live somewhere that requires testing in order to keep your car registered, they’ll make you get the catalytic converter replaced first anyway. Moreover, a missing catalytic converter will increase road noise, cause rougher acceleration, and send you back to the 1960s in terms of the amount of harmful gases you’ll be releasing into the environment.