The Toyota Corolla generally isn’t making any lists of the most popular vehicles to steal catalytic converters from, most likely because its recent ground clearance doesn’t even reach half a foot. But you’ll still want to know how to prevent this costly theft, and marking the part with the car VIN, installing a catalytic converter anti-theft device, and parking in a secure area are some of the most effective options.
If you’re in the loop on car-related news in recent years, you’ve likely heard of the alarming rise in catalytic converter
thefts. Or maybe, you and your Toyota Corolla have been the unfortunate victims of one such crime and want to prevent it from happening again. Whatever the reason is that brought you here, we’re here to help. Let’s go over why catalytic converter theft is more popular than ever, what it means for Toyota Corolla owners, and some practical ways to prevent it from happening to you.
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Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Toyota Corolla?
Stealing the catalytic converter from a Toyota Corolla is not particularly easy. The Corolla sits quite close to ground—recent Corolla years have a ground clearance between 4.7in and 5.3in—that would make the theft take more time and work than other vehicles with easier access.
Generally, the most stolen-from vehicles are trucks and large SUVs that already sit off the ground and wouldn’t require a thief to jack up the car first. Time is of the essence in crimes like this, so the tall Ford F-Series
, Toyota Tundras
, and Chevy Silverados
are among the most heavily targeted. But that is not to say your Toyota Corolla won’t be a target! It’s important to stay aware and vigilant in your defense, particularly in this cat climate.
Top Toyota Corolla years that catalytic converter thieves target
There isn’t a ton of data out there on common Toyota Corolla model years that are common catalytic converter theft targets because this particular make isn’t a hot topic for would-be thieves.
However, Toyota Corollas manufactured between 2009 and 2013 have the highest ground clearance, some reaching 6.8 inches, so they would be the most likely targets.
Why are Toyota Corolla catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters are among the most valuable car parts for scrapping because they use a small collection of precious metals to filter and convert harmful engine emissions into less harmful substances. Most cat cons are composed of rhodium, platinum, and palladium, which makes them incredibly valuable.
In March of this year (2022), those metals were selling for:
$1,128 per ounce of platinum
$2,938 per ounce of palladium
$20,000 per ounce of rhodium
There’s also the issue of the ongoing global supply chain hiccups and halts resulting from the pandemic. The value of catalytic converters has increased because fewer of them are produced.
Catalytic converters get stolen so often because they’re easy to steal. While the Corolla’s cat tends to be harder to reach, many other vehicles have obviously exposed and easily removable catalytic converters that an experienced thief could cut out in about a minute.
Toyota catalytic converter replacement cost
Stealing someone’s catalytic converter is wrong in itself, but the real kicker with this kind of theft is that the remediation effort is expensive. For example, replacing a Toyota Corolla catalytic converter can cost between $670 to $1,840, including parts and labor.
You may be able to reduce that cost with aftermarket parts or by replacing the cat yourself, but the replacement can be complicated and a poorly installed cat could cause worse issues down the line—so it's best left to a professional.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Toyota Corolla
Even though the Corolla isn’t a high-profile target for catalytic converter theft, the nearly 400% rise in stolen catalytic converters since 2019 should be enough for everyone to go on guard. Here are some effective strategies for deterring thieves from taking your Toyota Corolla’s catalytic converter.
Park in a secure area
You should park your Corolla in a garage or somewhere well-lit and in view of video surveillance whenever possible. You may wish to invest in motion-activated security lights for your vehicle if you don’t have a garage or video security system at home. Of course, lights alone won’t stop a determined thief, but it makes the crime less likely to occur.
Buy a catalytic converter shield or strap
Catalytic converter shields or straps will be some of the most effective anti-theft devices because they prevent a simple cut-and-run job. They’re usually made with tamper-resistant bolts that adhere to an aluminum plate, cage, or strap over your catalytic converter
A few popular options for cat shields include the Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
and the CatStrap
. You can browse online shopping platforms or head to your local auto supply shop to ask about their anti-catalytic-converter-theft devices stock. You’ll just want to make sure the fit is right for your vehicle’s particular catalytic converter, so look up the details of your specific make and model. A bonus? Your car insurance company may offer discounts on your comprehensive insurance if you have anti-theft devices installed on your vehicle!
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Consider marking your catalytic converter with your etched-in VIN. Clearly tagged catalytic converters won’t be an easy sale on the black market and will stop most junkyards from buying them for scrap. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) regularly offers catalytic converter etches, so take a look at any upcoming NICB events in your area!
There’s also some future hope for Toyota owners in the US, as the Japanese car maker has started a program in the UK allowing drivers to have their Toyota cats marked with an ID to make them easier to find and harder to sell. It hasn’t started in the US yet, but perhaps we’ll see that soon!
Invest in comprehensive insurance
This isn’t necessarily an anti-theft method, but it is a great way to help cover any losses and damages from a catalytic converter theft.
Comprehensive insurance
covers non-car-collision damages, like theft, vandalism, and natural disasters. This coverage will allow you to file a claim
with your insurance company and have your vehicle repaired. You will only be responsible for paying the comprehensive deductible
, and luckily, it can be as low as just $100 while maintaining a pretty affordable premium. Check your car insurance
policy and speak with an agent about getting a quote that works well with your budget. What to do if your Toyota Corolla’s catalytic converter is stolen
Hopefully, you can implement the above preventative tactics and never have to experience this situation. But if someone does steal your catalytic converter, your first move should be to contact law enforcement with the details. Then, if you were parked somewhere with video surveillance, they’ll be able to pull the footage and get a better idea of who committed the crime.
If not, they’ll still be able to file a police report to get the incident in the system. If you have comprehensive coverage insurance, you’ll also need to obtain a copy of that report to make a claim with your insurance company.
Without that kind of insurance coverage, you’ll be left to foot the bill of the new catalytic converter yourself—and as discussed earlier, that can get pricey. If you can find a mechanic you trust that will install aftermarket parts, you could save some money on the replacement.
Can you drive a Toyota Corolla without a catalytic converter?
Driving without a catalytic converters isn’t necessarily dangerous in the way of immediate damage to yourself or your Corolla’s other parts—but it will leave your car shooting out unfiltered and super harmful emissions while being incredibly loud to boot. So you can drive without a catalytic converter in a pinch, but it’s not recommended.
And if you live somewhere requiring emissions testing for your vehicle registration, you’ll need to replace your Corolla’s catalytic converter before your registration renewal.
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