Buyers Turn a Blind Eye to Stolen Catalytic Converters, Investigators Say (2024)

In July, volunteers at the nonprofit Kids Against Hunger Bay Area heard a roaring noise when they tried to start their delivery vehicle -- its catalytic converter had been stolen.

“It sounded like a Sherman tank,” volunteer Doug Loskot recalled.

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The fix to the truck was covered by comprehensive insurance, but the nonprofit had to pay a deductible of $500. Loskot noted the organization, which primarily donates meals to orphanages in Haiti, could have provided 2,500 meals for that same amount.

Since the start of the pandemic,law enforcement agenciesall over the world,have reportedanuptick incatalytic converter thefts. The converter is located underneath a car and limits exhaust emissions. Car owners can be forced to pay thousands of dollars to replace a stolen converter.

Several of the precious metals found inside converters haveskyrocketed in priceduring the pandemic.

Buyers Turn a Blind Eye to Stolen Catalytic Converters, Investigators Say (1)

In less than two minutes, thieves can saw off a car’s converter to cash in on the precious metals inside.

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Joseph Boche, who is a director with the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators (IAATI), explained that stolen converters can sell for as little as $50 to as much as $1,600 on the black market.

“You go hit ten Priuses overnight, you just made eight grand,” Boche explained. “I mean, that's a lot more profitable than selling drugs and a whole lot less risk.”

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His committee foundstolen converters can easily be laundered by vehicle recyclers, processors, and smelters who face “little scrutiny” about what they are buying.

“It sounds like we have a lot of people turning a blind eye?” we asked Boche.

“I think so,” Boche replied.

In California, the state’s Business and Professions Coderequiresrecyclers who buy used converters to keep records on the seller and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the car the converter came from.

NBC Bay Area Responds asked seven state agencies what arm of the state is responsible for enforcing this part of the code. While some agencies, like DMV, can enforce the code in certain cases, we found that no single agency is tasked with it, although local law enforcement can, and sometimes does.

“I know when we come across these suspects it’s usually when we catch them transporting or leaving the scene of the crime” noted Sgt. Ray Kelly with the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

Buyers Turn a Blind Eye to Stolen Catalytic Converters, Investigators Say (4)

We decided to test the state code ourselves and borrowed a used catalytic converter from a licensed auto parts store. Next, we contacted 10 different recyclers, auto shops, and junkyards. None of them offered to buy the converter. However, one individual junk hauler offered 70 bucks cash for the converter. We declined the offer.

We also found lots of used converters in California for sale on eBay, Craigslist, and Facebook Marketplace, even though the state forbids used converters from being sold to anyone but qualified recyclers. We asked all three companies about those listings. Only eBay responded, saying that used converters on its site must be recertified or listed as scrap metal.

Los Angeles County District AttorneyGeorge Gascón believes that when it comes to the problem of catalytic converter thefts, “we cannot arrest and prosecute our way out of it.”

Gascón wrote letters to Honda, Ford, Toyota, and General Motors this summer, asking them to sit down with his team to come up with solutions to prevent catalytic converter thefts. He wants automakers to start placing identifying markings on converters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires more than a dozen “high theft risk” parts on all cars to be labeled with the 17-digit VIN; the catalytic converter is not one of those parts.

NBC Bay Area Consumer Investigator Chris Chmura explains how to mark or etch your car's catalytic converter.

“We've got a very warm reception from Honda and we're working with them,” Gascón said. “Disappointingly, GM and Ford and Toyota have not responded with the same desire.”

If automakers don’t make changes on their own, Gascón is prepared to push for state laws to force their hand.

In the meantime, all the experts NBC Bay Area spoke with for this story agreed: the simplest way to protect your converter is parking in a garage. If that’s not an option, try parking in a well-lit area with obvious cameras.

You can also get your VIN etched into your converter, which would allow law enforcement to trace it back to you if it gets stolen.

Buyers Turn a Blind Eye to Stolen Catalytic Converters, Investigators Say (5)

Buyers Turn a Blind Eye to Stolen Catalytic Converters, Investigators Say (2024)

FAQs

Who is buying all these catalytic converters? ›

In the US, most thieves will sell converters to several metal recyclers or scrap yards that aren't checking for identification. These middlemen, Bates says, will pay an individual or entity up front for a converter, and then sell to a refinery once they've accumulated enough worth selling.

Can police do anything about stolen catalytic converter? ›

Someone caught stealing or attempting to steal catalytic converters can be charged with a number of felonies in Los Angeles. Because of the high value of the precious metals, catalytic converter theft almost always qualifies as grand theft pursuant to Penal Code Section 487(a).

What cars don't have catalytic converters stolen? ›

There are some cars that are less likely to have their catalytic converter stolen:
  • A vehicle that is lower to the ground (if it's too hard to get under, it's not going to be a fast and easy theft!)
  • All vehicles that are older than 1974 were not made with those valuable components.
Aug 1, 2023

What car has the most valuable catalytic converter? ›

Which Catalytic Converters Are The Most Expensive? According to data from 2020, the most expensive catalytic converter belonged to the Ferrari F430, with a mind-popping $3,770.00 price tag. Moreover, the F430 needed two of them, so a full replacement would run car owners $7,540 before labor costs.

Which car has the most stolen catalytic converter? ›

Top Vehicles Targeted Nationwide
RANKMAKEMODEL
1FORDF SERIES TRUCK
2HONDAACCORD
3TOYOTAPRIUS
4HONDACR-V
6 more rows

Can you drive after a catalytic converter is stolen? ›

You can technically drive a car without a catalytic converter without damaging the car or the engine.

Can a scrap yard tell if a catalytic converter is stolen? ›

Mark your catalytic converter – Engraving or etching your catalytic converter with your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate number may deter theft. It may also alert a reputable scrap dealer that the device is stolen and can help to identify the owner.

Will your car start if someone steals your catalytic converter? ›

If your converter has been stolen, you're likely to notice right away: Without the converter, your car will be much noisier than usual. Most cars will run without a catalytic converter, though it's inadvisable to do so for longer than necessary.

Which SUV is least likely to have the catalytic converter stolen? ›

American cars such as Jeep, Chrysler, Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet are least likely to be targeted as they have less valuable converters. Nissan, Mazda, Subaru, and Hyundai also limit the amount of precious metals used in the converter designs.

How do you know if your catalytic converter has been stolen from your car? ›

You may not be able to tell your catalytic converter was stolen by looking at your car, but you'll know as soon as you start the engine. When the catalytic converter has been removed, your vehicle will make a loud roaring sound that'll get louder as you push the gas pedal.

Do electric cars have catalytic converters? ›

No, electric cars do not have catalytic converters because they don't emit any exhaust; a catalytic converter is designed to turn the toxins created in the engine into water and substances that are much less harmful to breathe in, and a battery-powered car does not actually emit any fumes.

Who pays the most money for catalytic converters? ›

DMV Recycling will give you the most money for your old catalytic converters. Our team is highly trained, which allows them to give exceptionally accurate quotes.

Are all catalytic converters worth money? ›

To answer this question, how much a catalytic converter is worth can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of converter, the precious metal content in it, the market demand for precious metals, and the region you live in.

Who is buying used catalytic converters? ›

Noble6® is a leading scrap catalytic converter buyer in California, known for its commitment to transparency, fair dealing, and customer satisfaction. The company only works with registered businesses to ensure that all converters being sold are legally obtained.

Are people still stealing catalytic converters in 2024? ›

After spiking toward the end of 2022, catalytic converter thefts have dropped significantly. “Our catalytic converter thefts for 2024 are 2,113 citywide,” LAPD Interim Chief Dominic Choi stated at the Los Angeles Police Commission meeting on June 4.

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