How to Prevent Lexus RX 400h Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed in recent years. Here’s what that means for your Lexus RX 400h and how you can protect it.
Written by Melanie Krieps Mergen
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
No vehicle is completely safe from catalytic converter theft, and that includes the Lexus RX 400h. However, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk, and comprehensive coverage can help cover replacement costs if your converter is ever stolen.
Concerned about catalytic converter theft? You certainly have reason to be. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) shared that catalytic converter thefts have skyrocketed in recent years, with incidents jumping a jaw-dropping 1,215% since 2019.
Here’s a look at what that might mean for your Lexus RX 400h—and what type of
car insurance
you need to have in place to cover a catalytic converter theft. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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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 Lexus RX 400h?
About as easy as any other SUV. While the Lexus RX 400h might not frequently land on lists of vehicles that most frequently have their catalytic converters stolen, they face the same vulnerability that many other SUVs and trucks do: a higher ride height.
The Lexus RX’s ground clearance varies by model year and other configurations, but generally ranges from 7 to 8 inches. That extra ground clearance can make it easier for a thief to access the catalytic converter on the undercarriage.
Top Lexus RX 400h years that catalytic converter thieves target
The Lexus RX 400h spanned just three model years between 2006 and 2008. As a hybrid SUV, their converters contain higher amounts of precious metals, which can make them particularly vulnerable to theft.
The Lexus RX 400h’s three-way catalytic converter system also has components in the engine bay, which helps give these parts some added protection.
Why are Lexus RX 400h catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters play an important role in reducing the harmful emissions created by the exhaust from a gas-powered vehicle. They break up nitrogen oxides into environmentally harmless nitrogen and oxygen, and they can convert carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.
To accomplish this feat, catalytic converters make use of precious metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium. The values of these metals has increased considerably over the years. As of March 2022, they were fetching selling prices of:
- Platinum: $1,128 per ounce
- Palladium: $2,938 per ounce
- Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce
While your catalytic converter wouldn’t contain that much of any of these metals, but there’s enough that they still make a tempting target for thieves. And hybrid vehicles typically contain higher concentrations of these metals, which can increase your RX 400h’s risk.
Lexus catalytic converter replacement cost
Cats, cat cons—call catalytic converters whatever you like, just don’t call them cheap. Replacing a Lexus RX 400h catalytic converter could cost somewhere between $1,800 and $2,300, but this range can vary based on labor costs and your location.
If a thief in a rush cut away your catalytic converter and damaged other parts of your vehicle in the process, it’s possible you might also have to pay for additional repairs.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Lexus RX 400h
While it would be difficult to completely eliminate the risk of catalytic converter theft, there are steps you can take to reduce that risk. Here are some actions you can take to do just that.
Park in a secure area
In general, the safest place to keep your car is going to be in a locked garage. When that’s not possible, parking in places where it’s harder for thieves to go unnoticed, such as in well-lit areas with video surveillance or other security measures in place.
If you have a driveway but not a garage, you could consider installing motion-activated lights and/or a video surveillance system of your own.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Anti-theft devices can also reduce the risk of your catalytic converters being stolen.
One option you have at your disposal would be a catalytic converter shield. These devices cover your catalytic converter and make it more difficult for a thief to access.The
Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
is a popular option, but there are plenty others out there as well.Depending on your provider and the type of device you choose, you might also qualify for a
discount on your car insurance
!Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Marking and/or tagging your catalytic converter with your vehicle’s VIN will make it easier to trace back to you, and reputable dealers will be less likely to purchase it.
Some organizations, including the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) hold occasional events where you can have your catalytic converter etched for you, and plenty of muffler shops offer this service as well.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Comprehensive insurance won’t stop a thief from making off with your catalytic converter, but it will help make the cost of replacing it less painful.
In order for your catalytic converter replacement to be covered under your car insurance policy, you’re going to need to have
comprehensive coverage
in place before a theft occurs. Otherwise, you’ll be responsible for covering all the entire replacement cost out of pocket.It’s also important that you
choose the right deductible
amount, as you’ll need to cover this amount before your comprehensive insurance coverage would kick in.What to do if your Lexus RX 400h’s catalytic converter is stolen
In the unfortunate event that your Lexus RX 400h’s catalytic catalytic converter does get stolen, the first thing you should do is contact local law enforcement.
Whether or not you’re able to track down the thief, filing a police report will be helpful when it comes to the next step if you have comprehensive insurance:
filing an insurance claim
. And considering catalytic converter replacement costs typically extend into the thousand-dollar range, it’s usually worthwhile to do so.If you don’t have comprehensive insurance, you’ll still need to replace your Lexus’s catalytic converter, but the costs will have to come from your own wallet.
Can you drive a Lexus RX 400h without a catalytic converter?
Provided that nothing else was damaged when it was stolen, you could still drive your vehicle, but that option wouldn’t be practical for the long term. Here’s why.
For starters, federal law requires that vehicles on the road today must have catalytic converters with few exceptions to that rule.
Another factor: if you live in a state that requires emissions testing, you’ll need to have all your catalytic converters accounted for to pass the test and renew your vehicle registration. Failure to do so in time for your registration deadline could leave you subject to undesirable fees and other penalties.
It could also become downright annoying pretty quickly: the lack of a catalytic converter can reduce your vehicle’s performance and
gas mileage
, and it can also make for a rougher, noisier ride. Plus, the sooner you take care of your replacement, the sooner you can go back to reducing harmful emissions released into the atmosphere.“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.Jerryhelped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.
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