The location of the catalytic converter on the Kia Soul varies depending on the model year and engine size, but it can most commonly be found on the underside of the vehicle.

Car owners have always had to worry a bit about catalytic converter theft. Unfortunately, 2021 saw a significant rise in this crime, and 2022 has only seen the trend continue. That’s why it’s a great idea to know where the catalytic converter is on your vehicle and how to protect it from rapscallion cat pirates.

In this guide, we’ll go over everything you need to know about where the catalytic converter might be on your Kia Soul and how to keep it safe from theft with the right

car insurance

policy.

MORE:

Kia Soul car insurance costs

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Where is the catalytic converter on a Kia Soul?

If you have a first-generation Kia Soul (2010 to 2013), the catalytic converter is connected to the center exhaust pipe on the underside of the vehicle. This is true for both the 1.6 and 2.0-liter engines for the first generation.

For the second-generation Kia Soul (2014 to 2018), the location of the catalytic converter is different depending on which engine you have. The 1.6-liter engine on the Kia Soul Base trim has the catalytic converter as part of the exhaust manifold, which can only be accessed under the hood. The larger 2.0-liter engine in the

Kia Soul +

and

Kia Soul !

has the catalytic converter in the same place as the first generation: on the underside of the vehicle.

Every third-generation Kia Soul (2019 to 2023) has a 2.0-liter engine configuration, and all of them have the catalytic converter on the underside of the vehicle.

What are the benefits of a catalytic converter on a Kia Soul?

Alright, so what’s the deal with catalytic converters? Sure, your vehicle can technically function without one, but not without emitting an illegal amount of toxins, hydrocarbons, and CO2 into the environment. Catalytic converters convert these pollutants into less harmful emissions, allowing your car to meet EPA emissions standards.

Catalytic converters contain high-value precious metal materials, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium, making them quite valuable. Getting your catalytic converter replaced could cost up to $2,500 for a Kia Soul.

MORE: How to pass emissions testing

How to protect the catalytic converter on your Kia Soul

Unless you have a second-gen Kia Soul with a 1.6-liter engine, catalytic converter theft could be a concern. If a thief can get under your car, it doesn’t take much to rip the catalytic converter off of the exhaust assembly.

If you often keep your Kia Soul parked in a location where you’re worried it might be a target for thieves, there are a few actions you can take to safeguard against this:

Install an anti-theft device.

CatStrap™

and

CatClamp®

are two examples of popular devices used to keep thieves from getting at your catalytic converter, but you could also install a cage, shield, or alarm system.

Park your Soul in a garage or well-lit area. Parking in a secure location will significantly reduce your chances of catalytic converter theft. If you have to park on the street, try parking under a street lamp or equipping a motion-sensing flood lamp to ward off thieves.

Put your VIN on the catalytic converter. This won’t stop any initial theft, but it will make it easier to trace if it is stolen, and it’ll make it difficult for the thief to resell it.

Making sure that you have

comprehensive coverage

in your auto insurance policy is another great way to defend yourself against catalytic converter theft. If you do, you’ll be able to file an insurance claim to get it replaced if yours is stolen.

What to do if your catalytic converter is stolen

If you do end up

having your catalytic converter stolen

from your Kia Soul, there’s no need to panic. Here’s what to do:

Document the theft. Take pictures of your exhaust assembly to document that the cat is missing.

File a police report.

Submit an insurance claim

if you have comprehensive coverage.

Get the catalytic converter replaced. You could purchase an aftermarket part to lower costs and reduce the chances of another theft.

Consider anti-theft devices.

MORE:

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

When to replace the catalytic converter on a Kia Soul

Catalytic converters are supposed to last a long time—anywhere between 100,000 to 150,000 miles. But how well you maintain other parts of your vehicle will affect its expiry date. Usually, this translates to 10 years before needing to replace it.

Here are some warning signs to look out for that might indicate that your catalytic converter is going bad:

Reduced engine performance

Dark exhaust and/or

exhaust that smells like rotten eggs

Overheating

Failed emissions test

Check engine light is on

Any of these signs are a good reason to get out your trusty onboard diagnostics (OBD) scanner to see if there are any fault codes related to your exhaust system. If you don’t have one of these, a trusted mechanic will!

Sometimes you only need to replace a certain component of the catalytic converter, but in other situations, you might require a full replacement. Failing oxygen sensors might also need replacing. According to RepairPal, the average cost to replace a Kia soul catalytic converter is between $495 and $507.

If you have a new Kia, your catalytic converter will be covered under the Kia Emission Warranty, which covers all emissions parts for 24 months or 24,000 miles (whichever comes first). Other emissions parts are covered for 96 months or 80,000 miles, but this will only cover the cost if it’s found that something in the emissions system was defective. It doesn’t cover wear and tear.

How to replace a catalytic converter

Replacing a catalytic converter isn’t the easiest DIY undertaking if you’re not already mechanically inclined. You’ll also need a certain array of tools that aren’t necessarily found in an everyday garage. This might include a pipe cutter or torch for a welded-on catalytic converter, pipe expanders, gasket cleaners, etc.

However, if you do decide to do your catalytic converter replacement yourself, make sure to look up your cat’s part number so that you can find an OEM-grade part to replace it with. You don’t need an actual original factory part, which you’ll pay a lot more for than an aftermarket cat, but you do want to make sure you’re getting the right fit.

MORE:

How to fix a catalytic converter without replacing it