How to Prevent Subaru Ascent Catalytic Converter Theft
Here’s what you need to know about Ascent catalytic converter theft—and how to prevent it.
Written by Andrew Hobson
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
While the Subaru Ascent may not be a top target for catalytic converter thieves, the threat of theft is still very real. Protect yourself by parking in a secure location, marking your catalytic converter the VIN, or installing a catalytic converter anti-theft plate.
If you’re concerned about someone stealing the catalytic converter from your Subaru Ascent—or you’ve recently become the victim of catalytic converter theft—we’ve created a guide on strategies to stop catalytic converter theft from happening, what to do if yours was stolen, and the best type of
car insurance
to cover cat converter theft. Let’s dive in.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 Subaru Ascent?
While most catalytic converter thieves tend to target the
Subaru Forester
, the Subaru Ascent is still vulnerable to this crime. With a ground clearance of 8.7 inches, the Ascent is more susceptible to catalytic converter theft than low-sitting cars (like most other trucks and SUVs). Add to this the fact that the Ascent has two catalytic converters in its exhaust system, which raises the incentive for thieves to target the Ascent.
Do catalytic converter thieves target Subaru Ascents?
Simply put: not really. Even though the Ascent’s high ground clearance gives thieves an easy opening to steal the converter, Subarus (generally speaking) are not the
biggest targets of catalytic converter theft
. Regardless, any car with a catalytic converter may be targeted—we’ll explain why next. Why are Subaru Ascent catalytic converters stolen?
The catalytic converters in your Subaru Ascent sift harmful emissions from your Ascent’s exhaust via a filter consisting of precious metals, such as platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The value of these precious metals has exploded in recent years, making them a valuable sell on the black market.
Most Subaru catalytic converters contain the following portions of precious metals:
- 3-7 grams of Platinum
- 2-7 grams of Palladium
- 1-2 grams Rhodium
And in case you were wondering what each of those precious metals is worth:
- Platinum is valued at $1,128 per ounce
- Palladium goes for $2,938 per ounce
- Rhodium goes for $20,000 per ounce
Along with Nissan, Mazda, and Hyundai, Subaru does a good job of limiting the amount of precious metals in their catalytic converters. As you can clearly see, there’s a very small amount of these elements in Subaru’s catalytic converter. Regardless, the Ascent’s 8.7-inch ground clearance makes it a prime target for the less-discerning thief.
With the right tools, these thieves can slide underneath your car, remove your catalytic converter, and move right on to the next victim. Catalytic converters are also very easy to steal if you don’t have any anti-theft measures in place.
Key Takeaway Catalytic converters are prime targets for theft because they are easy to remove from the vehicle and contain valuable precious metals.
Subaru catalytic converter replacement cost
Another frustrating aspect of catalytic converter theft is just how expensive it is to replace or repair your catalytic converter. For the Subaru Ascent, a
replacement converter
has an MSRP of $1,513. If you can find an aftermarket converter that works with your Ascent, that might cut down the cost a little bit. Regardless, catalytic converters are very expensive pieces of equipment—and the labor to install and repair any additional damage by the initial theft requires additional work, meaning you’ll be paying at least an additional $150 for labor in most instances.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Subaru Ascent
As instances of catalytic converter theft increase across the country, here are some effective anti-theft strategies that can protect your Ascent’s catalytic converter:
Park in a secure area
If possible, park your Ascent in an enclosed garage or in a well-lit area (video surveillance is another plus). If you have to park outside in your driveway, it might make sense to invest in some motion sensor lights to scare off any would-be thieves.
Try to make it impossible for a thief to slide underneath your Ascent without being seen. Thieves will be more likely not to attempt to steal your catalytic converter if they believe they could be caught.
Etch your VIN on the catalytic converter
A great way to deter potential theft of your catalytic converter is to tag it with your
Subaru’s VIN
, or vehicle identification number. If your catalytic converter has been tagged or etched with your vehicle’s VIN, then it cannot be sold on the black market. The
National Insurance Crime Bureau
(NICB) hosts catalytic converter etching events for the public to help you mark your catalytic converter. If you can find one in your area, register for the event! The process takes about 15 minutes to complete. Buy a protective device
Another way to bolster protection for your catalytic converter is to invest in a catalytic converter anti-theft shield. The shields themselves are fairly simple—usually just an aluminum plate or cage that shields or envelopes your car’s catalytic converter.
One popular choice is the
CatClamp®
. The CatClamp is a cage/locking device with sizes compatible with most cars and trucks. The US Department of Justice recommends it as a top choice.You can also find other catalytic converter anti-theft devices, like the
MillerCat
line, online. For the most part, these shields are easy to install. Depending on what you purchase, the device may come with the necessary bolts and tools to make installation easier. Installing an anti-theft device may also earn you a
car insurance
discount, depending on your provider!Purchase comprehensive insurance
Speaking of insurance, another important step if you want full protection in the event of catalytic converter theft is to purchase
comprehensive insurance
. To be clear, having this coverage won’t stop catalytic converter thefts from sliding underneath your car and doing their damage, but it will cover the repair costs if your car is vandalized or your cat converter is stolen. Without this coverage, you won’t be able to make a claim in the event of catalytic converter theft—and the replacement and labor costs must be paid out of pocket.
What to do if your Subaru Ascent’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you find that the catalytic converter in your Subaru Ascent was stolen, you should immediately contact the authorities—and the sooner the better. Depending on where the theft occurred, the authorities could be able to use nearby security or Ring camera footage to help catch the perp.
Can you drive a Subaru Ascent without a catalytic converter?
Generally speaking, yes. You can drive your Subaru Ascent even if both of the catalytic converters have been removed, but you really shouldn’t.
In addition to filtering emissions from your exhaust, catalytic converters sift out noxious gasses that can be harmful to you. Moreover, your car will fail an emissions test without the catalytic converter in place, which could land you a fine or prevent you from re-registering your vehicle.
Key Takeaway If your catalytic converter is stolen, comprehensive insurance can help minimize the financial damage. You should get your converter replaced right away to avoid potential health risks or legal trouble.
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