How to Prevent Toyota Venza Catalytic Converter Theft
The Toyota Venza’s catalytic converter is both accessible and valuable, making it at risk of theft. Here’s how you can prevent it.
Written by Shannon Fitzgerald
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The
Toyota Venza
’s higher ground clearance and hybrid powertrain make it more susceptible to catalytic converter theft. You’ll therefore want to protect your SUV by parking in well-lit areas, etching your VIN onto your cat, or buying an anti-theft lock to bolt over your converter. With growing numbers of catalytic converter theft all over the country, you must know how to keep your Toyota safe, especially since it stands much higher off the ground than a compact sedan. To give you some peace of mind, here are a few strategies to ward off thieves from your Venza’s cat, and tips on which
car insurance
can cover you in case you do fall victim. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
Compare insurance quotes from 50+ insurance companies with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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 Toyota Venza?
Sadly, yes. Though the Toyota Venza isn’t the
most commonly targeted SUV for catalytic converter theft
, its higher ground clearance makes it an accessible target—especially since one of its two converters can be easily swiped from your exhaust pipe. Depending on your model year, the Toyota Venza’s ground clearance
ranges between 7.7 and 8.1 inches, so a thief won’t even need to jack your SUV to reach your converter.Unfortunately, popular aftermarket catalytic converter shields, like
CatShield™
, have not yet been manufactured for Venza models either. While you can still purchase a more generic CatClamp lock
to protect your Venza’s cat, there are fewer well-reviewed options out there than there are for the Toyota Prius
or Toyota RAV4
. This doesn’t mean you can’t install an anti-theft device on your Toyota Venza, but it may be trickier to find one. Top Toyota Venza years that catalytic converter thieves target
The second generation of Toyota Venza models between 2020 and 2023 are most likely to suffer from catalytic converter theft.
Why? Because every model from the Venza’s latest iteration has a hybrid powertrain. Catalytic converters from hybrid vehicles contain higher concentrations of valuable metals, making them more lucrative on the black market.
Why are Toyota Venza catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters are highly sought-after among thieves for one major reason: precious metals. Each converter contains valuable amounts of rhodium, palladium, and platinum, which are used to filter out toxic emissions from your exhaust in compliance with the Clean Air Act.
How much are these metals worth? Here’s a look at their value as of December 2022:
- Platinum: $1,024 per ounce
- Palladium: $1,847 per ounce
- Rhodium: $12,400 per ounce
Though thieves aren’t going to find an ounce of any of these metals in your catalytic converter, they can still make quite a bit of money from the trace amounts that are present. Pair that with the ease in which an angular saw can detach your Venza’s converter from its exhaust pipes and you can understand why your SUV may be at risk.
Toyota catalytic converter replacement cost
Once stolen, your Venza’s catalytic converter may cost more to replace than its metals will make at a scrap yard. Depending on how much damage was done to your exhaust pipe, a catalytic converter replacement for a Toyota Venza can cost anywhere between $1,292 and $4,230. Though you can cut back some of the costs by purchasing aftermarket parts, you’ll still usually need to pay for professional labor for this complicated repair.
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How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Toyota Venza
So what can you do to avoid the stress and hassle of catalytic converter theft when parking your Toyota Venza? Here are a few strategies.
Park in a secure area
It goes without saying, but parking in an area that is well-lit and monitored by security or video surveillance helps protect your Venza. If you park outside of your house, just installing motion sensor lights can help dissuade potential thieves, as well.
The more likely a thief is to get noticed approaching your SUV, the less likely they’ll stick around to steal from it.
Buy a catalytic converter lock
Though
Cat Shield™
hasn’t manufactured an anti-theft catalytic converter shield for Toyota Venzas yet, you can still protect your Venza’s cat with a more general CatClamp lock
. Available at most auto parts vendors, a catalytic converter lock works by caging your converter within a steel, uncuttable rope that’s secured around the exhaust pipe on either side. Most catalytic converter locks measure compatibility by exhaust pipe diameter and come with instructions designed for easy, DIY installation. Just be sure to double-check whether the lock works with your specific model before purchasing one.
An added perk of enhancing your Venza with an anti-theft cage device: you may get a discounted rate on your comprehensive insurance for doing so!
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Etching your vehicle identification number, or VIN, into your catalytic converter is another great way to deter potential thieves. Since VINs help police identify stolen parts, the black market is less likely to purchase an etched converter—making a thief less likely to steal one.
You may not even have to pay to have your converter etched either! The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) regularly organizes free catalytic converter etching events around the country. If you can’t find one in your area, your dealer or local mechanic can give you a hand, too.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
While etching your catalytic converter and installing an anti-theft device directly protects your Venza against theft, purchasing
comprehensive insurance coverage
provides financial protection in case you do fall victim. Comprehensive coverage is the only car insurance that handles the costs of non-collision events like catalytic converter theft. As such, policies that only include
liability
and collision insurance
leave you responsible for all of the replacement and repair costs if your Venza’s cat gets stolen. To avoid taking on that expensive replacement completely on your own, it’s therefore a good call to keep your Venza protected with a
full coverage car insurance
plan. What to do if your Toyota Venza’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you’re unlucky enough to have your Toyota Venza’s catalytic converter stolen: don’t panic. Here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Contact law enforcement—report your stolen converter as soon as you discover it. Police may be able to look through security footage and search for the culprit, so be sure to give them as many details about your timeline as you can.
- Contact your insurer—once you’ve filed a police report, you cansubmit a claimto help you cover the replacement costs of the theft. You can only do this with comprehensive coverage, though, which is why it’s so important to include this protection in your policy!
- Head to the mechanic—you’ll want to get your Venza professionally evaluated ASAP after a converter theft. Not only does this allow you to get a new catalytic converter installed, but a mechanic can also make sure no other significant damages were done.
Depending on your
comprehensive coverage deductibles
, you may still end up paying a portion of the replacement costs. However, these expenses are always less overwhelming than if you don’t have comprehensive coverage at all. In this case, discuss using aftermarket parts with your mechanic to try to lower your costs. Can you drive a Toyota Venza without a catalytic converter?
Technically, yes. The purpose of catalytic converters is to prevent toxic emissions from damaging the environment. Without one, your Venza is still perfectly functional—you’ll just be emitting a lot more harmful gases, and your ride probably has much rougher acceleration.
That said, most states have emissions regulations that require you to replace your catalytic converter to maintain your registration. Since thieves aren’t exactly careful as they saw away your Venza’s cat, it’s also important to ensure your exhaust pipes are still performing properly after the theft, too.
Bottom line: You can drive without a catalytic converter, but doing so emits more toxins into the environment and can prevent you from passing state emissions inspections. Having comprehensive coverage helps ease the burden of replacement costs.
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