Q: Recently, people warned on Nextdoor that someone in my neighborhood in Oakland was stealing catalytic converters from Prii (evidently they are easy to take from certain Prius models). Within a couple of days, mine was stolen, as well (I didn’t get the $350 protective cover from a muffler repair shop in time). I went on Nextdoor and found someone up the street had been hit as well that same night.
Someone in the neighborhood had a camera that documented people getting out of a white SUV and doing the deed. These converters cost about $2,500 to replace, and, of course, I don’t have comprehensive insurance on such an old car, so the replacement came out of pocket.
My mechanic says the Prius converters he has replaced were in models up to about 2011 (mine’s 2005). Honda Accords from the early 2000s also get hit. There is significant recycling value from the platinum and maybe other metals in them, and the thieves can get $150 or so from each one.
What I want to know is what recycling companies are taking these sawed-off converters and paying the thieves? Have you heard about this happening in other areas?
Just curious. I am trying to warn other Prius owners about this when I can.
Grant Din, Oakland
A: You are correct. There is a sudden rash of these thefts, due to a rise in the value of certain precious metals found in catalytic converters in hybrids.
Hybrids, such as the Prius, are targeted because they have two power sources — an electric motor and a gas engine — so their catalytic converters are used less frequently to process pollutants. This means the metals inside them are less likely to corrode, so they’re more valuable and, therefore, more desirable to thieves.
A catalytic converter contains palladium, platinum, and rhodium. Although it’s illegal to pay for scrap metal with cash, illegal scrap metal merchants will buy stolen materials for cash up to $200-$500 for each one. Repairs to each of the affected electric or hybrid vehicles can run $3,000 to $5,000.
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Q: A friend had his catalytic converter stolen in front of his house. How can this be stopped?
Fred Lawler, Berkeley
A: Not easily. Thieves can steal a converter in just three minutes. To reduce the risk of theft of your car’s catalytic converter:
- Park in a garage or busy, well-lit area.
- Consider marking the metal shell of the converter with a unique mark so that if thieves remove it, it will be easier to trace back to your vehicle.
- If you see someone in a mechanic’s outfit working underneath a parked car on a street or in a parking lot, be suspicious.
Look for Gary Richards at Facebook.com/mr.roadshow or contact him at mrroadshow@bayareanewsgroup.com.
