Just had someone steal the CC from my 06 Prius. I'm in CA and am almost forced to trash the car.
My question is more for my 10 RXh. Are those in high demand too on the stolen market? Is there a way I can protect the CC in the Lexus?

 

Did you check with home owner insurance... in my mind it is theft. If it was unattached item like briefcase in the vehicle then it would not be covered but if it attached it is. If you have your vehicle and home from the same company it would make things easier [side note ... folks should seriously consider combining them as it would save $$).

With emission standards in place, all fossil fuel based vehicles will have the cats and it all depends how desperate the thief is. Now that battery operated saw-off tools are easily available it takes less than minute to saw through the pipes. Suv are prime target as they are easy to get under.

All I can say is, garage your vehicles and park in a lit area.

Salim

 

Generally, catalytic converters are stolen for their precious metal content like rhodium, palladium, and platinum so just about every car is vulnerable. Most are stolen and sold to scrap dealers so therein lies the problem. Along with the recent pandemic lockdowns causing higher rates of crime, I don't see this issue ending soon.

 

Hello, with the rise of the price of precious metals, I am looking for possible ways of protecting the catalytic converter on my 2013 RX 350 from being stolen. Having lived this already with my Toyota 4 Runner, I wish it upon nobody. Sadly, I can only park o the street. Your suggestions and input are greatly appreciated

 

Need a rocker alarms...I wouldn't worry about it as they are easy to cut out.

 

I wouldn’t mind someone stealing mine, then I could get a nice hi-flow cat replacement. All kidding aside, sorry that happened to you and kind of ridiculous that people steal these.

 

The problem is they don't just cut off the Catalytic Converter, they damage other parts also. With the economy, the way it is, the precious metals inside the Catalytic converters make it something thieves look for

 

This has happened to me on my Tacoma 4X4. The only way to deter thieves is to drop the car so low that they can't get under it to cut the converter out. With a battery operated Sawzall they can be in and out in under 1 minute. So short of an air suspension modification there's no real effective way.

 

 

I thought this was only an issue on hybrids made in certain year. Clearly I was wrong. Does this only affect Toyota and Lexus?
Also in California there's that stupid CARB issue that only authorizes dealers to change the converter at an exorbitant cost.

 

Petty theft is purely an opportunity based crime. The only way to prevent it would be ... make it difficult or add deterrents. Park in a safe and well lit place. Suvs are soft target as the access is easier.

Salim

 

I've been concerned about this as well I'm taking my rx to a custom body shop to bolt on a piece of sheet metal under the car

 

Hey did you ever get this done? We have an rx450h and I would like to do something similar. Would love to see some pics!