How to Prevent Kia Niro Catalytic Converter Theft
Keep your catalytic converter where it belongs—on your Kia Niro—with these anti-theft tips.
Written by Mary Alice Morris
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
As with other SUVs, crossovers, and hybrids, the Kia Niro may be a vulnerable target for catalytic converter theft, especially during a rocky economy when these kinds of property crimes tend to rise.
Although the Niro isn’t the most obvious or popular target for these thefts, you shouldn’t underestimate the risk, especially if you’re not able to park your car in a garage. You can find some security with the right
car insurance
coverage, but you’d be better off preventing catalytic converter car theft altogether. This guide will walk you through the Niro’s weak points and will show you how to protect your vehicle from catalytic converter theft.
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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 the catalytic converter from a Kia Niro?
The Kia Niro doesn’t tend to be the first choice among thieves looking to swipe a catalytic converter. However, a desperate thief—or a really good one—still might steal one off of a Kia Niro. It’s just not super common because the
Kia Niro’s ground clearance
doesn’t make the job as easy as it is on some other models. The Niro only has a 6.3-inch ground clearance, which would be a tight fit for even the thinnest of thieves. To steal a catalytic converter, someone would have to squeeze underneath your vehicle to access the part, and they’d have to be able to operate the right tools to cut the cat out from your exhaust system.
More likely targets are vehicles with a higher ground clearance, meaning there’s more space between the lowest part of the vehicle’s chassis and the ground. That would include models like the
Kia Sorento
X-Line, the Kia Telluride
, and the Kia Sportage
. These cars are easier to shimmy under than lower-profile vehicles. Also more likely to be targeted are Kia’s hybrid vehicles. That’s because hybrids tend to have more than one catalytic converter.
Top Kia Niro years that catalytic converter thieves target
The Kia Niro is still in its first generation, and there hasn’t been much substantial change to the model to distinguish one from another in terms of vulnerability. However, the Niro has had an available plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) since 2018, which might be more enticing to thieves than other standard models.
Hybrid vehicles tend to be targeted more often because, in addition to having multiple catalytic converters, their catalytic converters also contain a higher quantity of the precious metals that thieves are looking for. These parts are not stolen to be resold as usable auto parts. Instead, they’re broken down for the materials and precious metals inside!
That’s why hybrid vehicles, especially those with a higher ground clearance, tend to be major targets for catalytic converter theft. However, don’t think that a low ground clearance will keep your car safe.
Toyota Prius
owners frequently fall victim to this crime, despite that the vehicle only has a 5.3-inch ground clearance. Why are Kia Niro catalytic converters stolen?
The job of the catalytic converter is to filter out emissions and keep your car’s exhaust system running smoothly and efficiently. But that’s not why it’s valuable to thieves. They’re interested in what it’s made of—specifically, the precious metals inside of it.
Catalytic converters are made with platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which are all extremely valuable. They’re found in very small amounts inside of catalytic converters, but even in small quantities, they’re worth a lot of cash.
Here’s how much each of these materials costs per ounce, as of December 2022:
- Platinum: $1,031 per ounce
- Palladium: $1,854 per ounce
- Rhodium: $12,700 per ounce
These prices, and the relative ease of stealing a catalytic converter, are what makes this crime so lucrative and your car so vulnerable.
Kia catalytic converter replacement cost
Catalytic converter theft is a major problem for car owners because the cost of replacement is extremely high. For your Kia Niro, a replacement catalytic converter will cost around $1,700, and the labor for the replacement will cost around $100.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Kia Niro
If you’re worried that your Kia Niro may be at risk for catalytic converter theft, there are a few proactive steps you can take to keep it safe.
Park in a secure area
The safest place to park your car is in a private garage if it’s available to you. A public garage with security or surveillance is a good option, too.
If you must park outside, aim for a space that is well-lit or that has motion-activiated lights. This can serve as a deterrent to anyone eyeing your car as a potential target. If you park in your own driveway, consider installing a
home security camera
, too. Buy an anti-theft device
If someone does tamper with your car, you might spoil their plans by having a catalytic converter shield installed on your exhaust system. There are plenty of options, like those by
MILLERCAT
and Cat Security™
. They’re relatively easy to install, but these devices make it way harder to steal a catalytic converter. Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Check out the
National Insurance Crime Bureau
website to see if they’ll host a catalytic converter etching event near you any time soon. At these events, car owners can get their VIN number etched into the catalytic converter, making it much less appealing to thieves. It’s not as easy to sell a traceable, VIN-identified stolen cat, so etching in your VIN is a great deterrent.
If you can’t make it to an etching event, you could pay for the service at a muffler shop. Or, you could buy a can of automotive exhaust spray paint. Made to withstand the high temperatures of a vehicle exhaust system, this paint can tag your catalytic converter, making it similarly hard for thieves to resell.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance
won’t do anything to prevent catalytic converter theft, but it sure can make your life a lot easier if you fall victim to this crime. That’s because comprehensive coverage will allow you to file a car insurance claim
for the loss of your catalytic converter. You won’t have to pay for the repair and replacement out-of-pocket. What to do if your Kia Niro’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you end up losing your Kia Niro’s catalytic converter to theft, the first thing you need to do is notify law enforcement. It might not result in your catalytic converter being recovered, but at the very least it will help you file an insurance claim.
Showing a police report to your insurance provider will make the process smoother and easier for everyone involved. When you do file a claim—assuming you have comprehensive coverage—then your insurance company will help you schedule a time and place for repair.
With comprehensive coverage, your insurance will cover the cost of parts and labor, although you will have to pay a
comprehensive deductible
. What you pay for a deductible will depend on the specific terms of your policy, but it’s certainly going to be less than the cost to replace your catalytic converter outright. If you don’t have comprehensive coverage, you’ll still want to get your cat replaced, but you’ll need to pay for it out of pocket. That means shopping for aftermarket parts, which are less expensive than those made by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
Can you drive a Kia Niro without a catalytic converter?
You can drive a Kia Niro without a catalytic converter, but it’s not recommended. If you must do it, don’t do it for too long. Your car will be noisy and less efficient, and it will release more harmful fumes into the atmosphere. You also won’t pass emissions testing without a catalytic converter on your car.
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