How to Prevent Toyota Sienna Catalytic Converter Theft
Worried about catalytic converter theft for the Toyota Sienna? Here’s what you need to know about Sienna cat theft—and how to prevent it.
Written by Jason Tushinski
Reviewed by Pat Roache
Toyota vehicles are commonly targeted for catalytic converter theft—but the Sienna minivan is less likely to be a victim due to the location of its three catalytic converters. Still, anything is possible, so protecting your catalytic converters with anti-theft plates, or having your VIN etched onto them, are additional ways to prevent this form of
car theft
.If you’re paranoid that dastardly thieves are going to make off with your Toyota Sienna’s catalytic converters, we’ve got you covered. This handy guide will look at how to prevent catalytic converter theft, what to do if yours are stolen, and what kind of
car insurance
is needed in case such theft occurs.Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Toyota Sienna?
Fortunately, no—while the 2022 Toyota Sienna has three catalytic converters, their location makes it harder (though not impossible) for thieves to make off with them. Two of the Sienna’s catalytic converters are located under the hood close to the engine, while the third is underneath the minivan and integrated into the exhaust manifold.
The
Toyota Sienna’s ground clearance
is another factor that makes its catalytic converters harder to steal. The Sienna has just 6.4 inches of ground clearance, so a thief would have to waste precious time jacking the minivan up to get access to the third converter. A thief would also need to get access to your hood to find and remove the other two.Catalytic converters on other large Toyota vehicles are easier to steal—the
Toyota Tundra
, Toyota Tacoma
, and Toyota 4Runner
are all targeted because not only are their catalytic converters located underneath the vehicle, all three have higher ground clearances. This makes it easier for thieves to slide underneath, cut the converters off, and then scram. Top Toyota Sienna years that catalytic converter thieves target
Lucky for you, that land barge you use to ferry your kids to soccer practice isn’t likely to be targeted by thieves for its catalytic converters. But according to CARFAX, there are a few other Toyota models that thieves like to target:
- 1987 to 2019Toyota Camry
- 2001 to 2021Toyota Prius
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Why are catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters filter out harmful pollutants from your vehicle’s emissions. They’re stolen because they are made up of a variety of precious metals such as palladium, rhodium, and platinum, not because all thieves hate the environment. The values of these metals have gone up significantly over the past few years, so it's no surprise ne’er-do-wells are going after them.
The values of a Toyota catalytic converter will vary by model. Still, noted vehicle blog VehicleFreak estimates Toyota catalytic converters can sell for scrap at roughly $1,000, with Prius and Toyota Land Cruiser catalytic converters fetching the most.
Toyota catalytic converter replacement cost
Besides feeling the sting of having your vehicle violated, a stolen catalytic converter isn’t cheap to replace. According to RepairPal, it will cost between $1,500 to $1,700 to replace a catalytic converter on a Toyota Sienna. You might be able to find aftermarket replacements for slightly cheaper, but these are pricey parts that will likely involve significant labor to install.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Toyota Sienna
Even if there is less of a chance of a Toyota Sienna’s catalytic converters being stolen, nothing says it's impossible, so it's smart to take preventive measures to ensure this doesn’t happen.
Park in a secure area
Parking your vehicle in a secure, well-lit garage is an excellent barrier between your vehicle and a thief. Is the area covered by video surveillance? Even better!
Buy a catalytic converter shield
You won’t need one of these for the catalytic converters located in the engine bay. That said, it won’t hurt to explore adding an anti-theft shield to protect the catalytic converter that’s part of the exhaust manifold underneath the minivan.
If you aren’t sure where to start, here are two suggestions:
- Cat Shield™ from MILLERCATis a well-regarded catalytic converter protective cover
- Cat Security™offers several highly-rated protective shields
Take a look on Amazon, as there are lots of other options to protect your catalytic converter. Be sure to note which model a particular shield is designed for and will fit your vehicle.
Most catalytic converter shields are designed to be installed with little trouble, and some even come with the bolts and tools necessary to do the job. This could be a fun DIY job if you’re handy and know your way around a vehicle. If you aren’t, get a professional to install an anti-theft shield for you.
The best part about installing a catalytic converter shield? Doing so might spur your insurance company to give you a discount on your
comprehensive insurance
policy!Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies 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+ driversPut your VIN on the catalytic converter
Taking the extra step of having your VIN etched onto your catalytic converter(s) can stop a thief in their tracks—converters with a VIN etched onto them can’t be sold on the black market.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds regular “etching” events—if there’s one in your area, head over and get this service done quickly and easily. If you can’t make it to etch-fest, go to a local muffler shop where you’ll be able to get your converters tagged.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Just so you know—no thief will blink if they find out you have comprehensive insurance. However, your wallet will be protected if your catalytic converter is stolen.
With comprehensive insurance, you’ll be able to submit a claim to your insurer in case your catalytic converter is stolen. Otherwise, the money to replace a converter (or more than one) will come out of your pocket.
As a rule of thumb, protecting your vehicle with
full-coverage insurance
is almost always a good idea, especially if your Sienna is a new model.What to do if your Toyota Tundra’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you discover your vehicle’s catalytic converter is stolen, do not try to be a vigilante—call the authorities as soon as possible. If there’s security footage close to your car, police may be able to use that footage to catch the thief.
If the authorities can’t find the thief, the police report will be helpful when
filing your insurance claim
. If you have comprehensive coverage, you’ll likely be able to file a claim for your stolen catalytic converter. Otherwise, the replacement cost will be borne directly by you.You may have to pay a deductible, depending on your insurance plan, but your insurer will pay for the replacement costs once a mechanic is found. That deductible will likely be far lower than any cost to replace a stolen catalytic converter.
Can you drive a Toyota Sienna without a catalytic converter?
You can drive a vehicle without a catalytic converter, but this isn’t a long-term option as a cat-less vehicle will not pass emissions testing. If you live in an area where emissions testing is required, you’ll need to replace a stolen catalytic converter(s) in time to take a smog test by the deadline.
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