The Toyota Camry ranks among the top cars most likely to have their catalytic converters stolen—and unfortunately, there’s always a chance that it could happen to you. You can protect yourself by parking in a safe place, etching your VIN onto your catalytic converter, or buying a device like a catalytic converter anti-theft plate.
We've got you covered if you're concerned about the theft of your Camry's catalytic converter. In this article, we will discuss the Camry’s level of risk, how to avoid having your catalytic converter stolen, what to do if it’s been taken, and what sort of car insurance
you'll need to cover the cost of a replacement. Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Toyota Camry?
Unfortunately, if someone really wants the catalytic converter from your Toyota Camry, they will probably be able to get to it. Any Camry manufactured after the year 2000, regardless of whether it has a four- or six-cylinder engine, will also likely have two catalytic converters.
Because the Camry sits lower to the ground
and will need to be jacked up to access the catalytic converters, it may be less desirable as a target. As a result, there's always the possibility that a would-be thief would be put off by this and move on to less challenging vehicles. If you want to avoid a Toyota with a high risk of having its catalytic converters stolen, we recommend staying away from the Toyota Tundra
. The Tundra's higher ground clearance
and whopping four catalytic converters make it easier to steal from compared to smaller vehicles that must be jacked up to be accessed. Top Toyota Camry years that catalytic converter thieves target
Pretty much any Toyota Camry manufactured after 2000 is likely to be a target for catalytic converter thieves—all thanks to its additional catalytic converter.
And a Toyota Camry with a hybrid powertrain is a prime theft target because the catalytic converters in these vehicles contain a higher amount of precious metals.
Why are Toyota Camry catalytic converters stolen?
Your truck's catalytic converter uses a fine combination of precious metals like rhodium, platinum, and palladium to remove harmful emissions from the exhaust. The theft of catalytic converters is common because the value of their components has increased dramatically in recent years.
Here's how much each metal in the catalytic converter of your Camry is worth as of March 2022:
Platinum: $1,128 per ounce
Palladium: $2,938 per ounce
Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce
The ease with which catalytic converters can be stolen, particularly from large pickup trucks, is another motivating factor. To steal a catalytic converter from a parked truck, all a thief needs is about 10 inches of ground clearance to crawl under the vehicle, cut the pipes on either side of the converter, and then make off with the valuable component.
Toyota catalytic converter replacement cost
The real reason why stealing catalytic converters is a problem (besides the obvious ethical issues) is because it can cost between $1,800 and $1,900 to replace the catalytic converter in a Toyota Camry. Although you might save money by going with an aftermarket alternative, these are still very pricey components, and replacing them is usually a labor-intensive process.
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Toyota Camry
As the Toyota Camry is increasingly a target for car thieves, here are a few anti-theft measures for your catalytic converter to consider implementing:
Park in a secure area
The harder it is for a possible thief to get to your car without getting caught, the less likely they are to steal from it.
Park your Camry someplace secure, like a garage or a well-lit area that also has video surveillance. If you don't have a garage to store your truck in, installing motion sensor lights in your driveway is a smart move.
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Consider purchasing an anti-theft device, such as a catalytic converter anti-theft shield. These devices are usually quite straightforward: an aluminum plate or cage that covers your front or back cats and makes them more difficult to access.
Have no idea where to begin? MILLERCAT's Cat Shield
is an excellent product, but Cat Security
and Amazon also offer excellent catalytic converter protection devices. To ensure proper fitment, check what's in stock and compare it to your exact model. If you own a Camry, installing a catalytic converter shield is a simple do-it-yourself project. It's even possible that the device you purchase will include the screws and wrenches you'll need to put it in place.
A cat shield not only serves as an effective deterrent against theft but there’s also a chance you could receive a discount on your comprehensive insurance policy if you choose to install one.
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
By permanently tagging a catalytic converter with the vehicle's identification number (VIN), thieves are deterred from trying to sell it on the black market.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds events often to etch VIN numbers into catalytic converters. If you're able to find one in your area, this anti-theft service will be easy to do. You can also get your Camry cat tagged at a muffler shop.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
No, this won't do anything to make it less likely that someone will steal your catalytic converter. But if your Camry cat gets stolen, this insurance will protect your wallet.
If your catalytic converter is taken and you don't have comprehensive insurance
, you'll have to pay for a new one out of your own pocket. In addition to the steps outlined above, it's a good idea to prepare for the unexpected by purchasing a full-coverage insurance policy
, particularly if your Camry is a newer model. What to do if your Toyota Camry’s catalytic converter is stolen
The first thing you should do if you fear the catalytic converter for your Toyota Camry has been stolen is to report it to the authorities. They may be able to retrieve security footage and identify the thief if they know where the theft occurred.
The second step is to contact your insurance company, which will be aided by the police report filed. Theft claims should be covered under comprehensive coverage on your auto insurance policy. With average replacement costs in the thousands, it's often worth it to do so.
Your insurance company will coordinate with your chosen repair shop and cover the cost of the necessary parts and labor. It's true that you'll have to pay a deductible before insurance kicks in to cover the rest of the bill, but in most cases, that deductible will be much more manageable than the total cost of repair or replacement.
Even if you don't have full coverage on your insurance policy, you'll still need to get a new catalytic converter. If you want to save money on repairs, you could consider working with a mechanic who is willing to use compatible aftermarket parts.
Can you drive a Toyota Camry without a catalytic converter?
If both of the catalytic converters on your Camry are stolen—well, first of all, we’re sorry. While you could still technically drive the car without them (provided nothing else was damaged when they were removed), it's just not a good idea in the long run.
For one thing, federal law requires your vehicle to have them, and a Camry that's missing one or both catalytic converters won't pass an emissions test. If you need to replace it in order to keep your registration active, you should do so well in advance of the testing deadline. In addition to releasing harmful gases into the air, a missing catalytic converter also makes for a noisier ride and causes jerky acceleration.
In conclusion, it's safe to drive a Camry without a catalytic converter, but it's not a good choice—for you or the environment—in the long run.
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