How to Prevent Lexus NX Catalytic Converter Theft
Worried about catalytic converter theft for the Lexus NX? Here’s what you need to know about NX cat theft—and how to prevent it.
Written by Katherine Duffy
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The Lexus NX has been a target for catalytic converter theft, despite its hard-to-reach cat. You can protect yourself from theft by parking in secure, well-lit areas, etching your VIN onto your catalytic converter, or buying a catalytic converter shield.
If you’re fretting about Lexus NX catalytic converter theft, or even worse, your catalytic converter was recently stolen, we’ve got your back. This handy guide covers why Lexus NX catalytic converters are stolen, what to do to prevent theft, and what to do in the event that this valuable part is stolen from your NX. Plus, we’ll go over the type of
car insurance
you need to cover this part. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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 Lexus NX?
While theft is possible and the Lexus NX catalytic converter is valuable, it’s not the easiest catalytic converter out there to steal. The NX’s catalytic converter is located behind the exhaust manifold in the engine bay, making it basically impossible to steal this part without opening the hood.
Plus, the NX has just one catalytic converter, so thieves can only steal your NX’s cat by opening the hood.
While the NX’s catalytic converter is valuable, most thieves opt for its cousin, the
Lexus RX
, instead. The Lexus RX has a valuable catalytic converter like the NX, but it’s located in the undercarriage of your car and is easy to access, like the Honda Accord
, Toyota Prius
, and the Ford F-150
. All of these cars are hot targets because thieves only need a few minutes under your car and a reciprocating saw to remove your cat and be gone without a trace. Top Lexus NX years that catalytic converter thieves target
Lexus NXs have only been around since 2014, and the NX’s all have similarly difficult catalytic converter locations. This means any Lexus NX from 2014 to 2022 is fair game for a determined catalytic converter thief.
It’s noteworthy to add that thieves tend to steal catalytic converters from older models, so it’s possible that if you own an older NX, your catalytic converter is more likely to be stolen. However, there’s no evidence that catalytic converter thieves prefer older NXs to newer ones.
Why are Lexus NX catalytic converters stolen?
Thieves generally aren’t stealing your catalytic converter to sell it as an aftermarket part. This is because catalytic converters use a honeycomb of precious metals such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium, to filter out harmful chemicals from your Lexus’s emissions.
Recently, the value of these metals has gone through the roof, which makes catalytic converters an attractive prize for thieves. As of January 2023, here’s what the metals in your NX’s catalytic converter are worth:
- Platinum: $1,069 per ounce
- Rhodium: $12,250 per ounce
- Palladium: $1,630 per ounce
While there’s less than an ounce of each of these metals in your catalytic converter, they’re pretty easy car parts to steal. This means that thieves can make a quick buck by stealing lots of catalytic converters from easy targets (typically not an NX) and cashing in on their prizes.
Lexus catalytic converter replacement
So obviously stealing a catalytic converter is morally wrong, not to mention illegal. But did you know that’s also a really expensive part to replace? According to RepairPal, a Lexus catalytic converter costs about $1,990 to $2,050 to replace. Choosing an aftermarket replacement instead of bringing your Lexus to the dealership could offset costs slightly, but expect to pay over $1,500 at least for the part alone.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Lexus NX
Thankfully, your NX’s catalytic converter is in a tough spot to reach, deterring thieves from the get-go. However, Lexus cats are still valuable parts, so your NX is never 100% safe from catalytic converter theft. Here are a few tips to protect your Lexus NX’s most valuable assets:
Park in a secure area
Anytime it’s possible, opt for a parking area that’s well-lit with video surveillance. Investing in motion sensor lights and outdoor security cameras are a good idea for your home, while paying an extra couple bucks for a door-protected underground garage, or even valet parking, is a good way to stay protected while you’re out.
The harder it is for a thief to access your parking area and remain hidden, the harder it is for them to steal your catalytic converter.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Investing in anti-theft technology, such as a catalytic converter shield, is a great way to prevent theft. These shields are simple metal cages that go around your catalytic converter, making it a lot harder to steal this precious part.
It’s pretty easy to purchase and install as well. The
Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
is a great place to start. Checking out Cat Security™
is also a worthy way to spend your time. Even browsing for catalytic converter shields on Amazon is usually fruitful for finding a high-quality and affordable shield. Installing a catalytic converter shield is a great way to deter thieves, but it could also help you save on insurance, as many companies provide discounts on comprehensive insurance for installing security and anti-theft devices.
Put the VIN on the catalytic converter
If you etch your VIN onto your catalytic converter, it’s no longer good for sale on the black market, deterring theft.
The best part? You don’t even have to do it yourself! The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds regular catalytic converter etching events. Visiting one of these events in your area is a great way to protect your NX against cat theft. But you can also take your Lexus cat to a muffler shop to be tagged.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance might not deter thieves from stealing your catalytic converter, but it will provide extra financial protection in the event that this part gets stolen.
Comprehensive insurance
allows you to submit a claim for your stolen catalytic converter and receive financial help from your insurance company to cover the costs. While adding comprehensive insurance to your current plan is a great idea, it’s even better to opt for full-coverage for your NX, as they are newer, more valuable cars. What to do if your Lexus NX’s catalytic converter is stolen
The most important thing to do is to contact your local police authorities as soon as possible after discovering that your catalytic converter has been stolen. It’s possible that the area you parked in was surveillance-protected, meaning the police can watch the footage and try to identify the culprit.
Next, you should contact your insurance company. Use the police report, photos of your missing converter, and any other relevant documentation to submit a claim to your insurance policy if you have comprehensive insurance coverage, which covers theft. It will cost you thousands to replace the part, so submitting a claim is almost always worthwhile.
After your insurance company coordinates with you to schedule repairs for your vehicles, you’ll have to pay a deductible—the amount required before your coverage kicks in—to pay for the repair. Your deductible will likely be a small fraction of the overall cost, saving you big time on repair costs.
If you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you’ll have to pay for the part yourself. Look for aftermarket parts to save on the overall costs, but you’ll still need to pay a mechanic for hours of complex labor.
Can you drive a Lexus NX without a catalytic converter?
Technically, yes, but this isn’t a long-term solution, since you need a catalytic converter to pass emissions testing, and your NX only has one.
If you live in an area that mandates emissions testing, you’ll need to replace this part to drive legally on the road. But don’t disregard the importance of replacing this part if you live in an area without emissions testing. No catalytic converter equals rough acceleration, noisy driving, and letting harmful chemicals into the atmosphere.
Overall, it’s possible to drive your NX without a catalytic converter, but it’s illegal in areas with emissions testing, and it’s harmful for the environment everywhere.
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