How to Prevent Jeep Compass Catalytic Converter Theft
SUVs like the Jeep Compass are at higher risk for catalytic converter theft, but there are things you can do to keep yours safe.
Written by Julian de Sevilla
Reviewed by Jessa Claeys
SUVs like the Jeep Compass have bigger catalytic converters than smaller cars, so they’re frequently targeted by thieves looking to sell them for profit.
Catalytic converters (aka cats) are valuable and relatively easy to steal. As such, reports of thefts have increased in the last few years. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep yours safe.
Here’s what you need to know about catalytic converters and how you can prevent yours from getting stolen.
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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 a Jeep Compass’s catalytic converter?
Wondering if a Jeep Compass catalytic converter is easy to steal? The answer is sort of.
A vehicle’s catalytic converter is attached to its exhaust. Typically, you’ll need to get under the car to reach it. That said, cats are more accessible in cars with higher ground clearance.
This is partly why SUVs and trucks are often targeted. A thief can just slip underneath a car, cut through the exhaust with a saw, and escape with your cat before anyone notices.
A
Jeep Compass' ground clearance is just over 8 inches
, so thieves wouldn’t have to raise the car very much to get underneath it. Why do Jeep Compass catalytic converters get stolen?
Catalytic converters get stolen because they contain valuable precious metals like platinum, palladium, and rhodium. An ounce of any of these can sell for thousands of dollars.
Though each cat contains just a fraction of an ounce of each of these metals, they’re valuable enough to encourage theft, especially since they’re relatively easy to steal.
Jeep Compass catalytic converter replacement cost
Of course, once your catalytic converter has been stolen, it’s quite expensive to replace. A
genuine Jeep Compass OEM catalytic converter
can cost thousands of dollars, and that’s just for the single part. If the thief damaged or stole other parts, they’ll need to be replaced, too. And unless you know how to do it yourself, you’ll also have to pay for labor costs.
How to prevent your Jeep Compass catalytic converter from getting stolen
Here are a few precautions you can take to discourage thieves from targeting your car:
- Park in safe areas: This can’t always be avoided, but your car is at greater risk when left unattended in parking lots or garages. When possible, try to park in well-lit areas where you can keep an eye on your car.
- Engrave your car’s VIN onto the catalytic converter: This tells potential buyers that the part is stolen, making them less likely to want to buy it. It also links the part to your car.
- Paint the part a bright color: A bright red or yellow catalytic converter stands out, making it less attractive to thieves who might have to remove all the paint before trying to sell it.
- Install anti-theft devices: Catalytic converter alarms sound when they’re tampered with, while shields protect the pieces entirely and make them more difficult to steal.
MORE: How to pass emissions testing
What to do if your catalytic converter gets stolen
You’ll
know if your catalytic converter has been stolen
because your car will be much louder than you’re used to. The first thing to do is let your insurance company know. If you have comprehensive coverage
, it’ll likely cover some of the cost, and your deductible is probably much cheaper than the entire cost of the repair. Either way, you want to get the car looked at as soon as possible, especially since the thief may have caused other more serious damage to your car.
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Can you drive without a catalytic converter?
You may or may not be able to drive without a catalytic converter—it depends. Catalytic converters reduce vehicle emissions, and your car won’t pass an emissions test without one. If you live in one of the 34 states that require emissions testing, you’ll need to replace it eventually. Not to mention, your car will be much louder without it.
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