There were more than 137,000 catalytic converters stolen last year, according to data from Carfax, as these devices are not only somewhat easy to nab from some vehicles, but also contain high-value precious metals.

And word to the wise: some of the most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft are the most popular vehicles on dealership lots.

Carfax says the top 10 most frequently targeted includes:

  1. Ford F-150 pickup truck
  2. Hyundai Tucson SUV
  3. Ford Explorer SUV
  4. Ram 2500 heavy-duty pickup truck
  5. Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck
  6. Chevrolet Traverse SUV
  7. Ram 3500 heavy-duty pickup truck
  8. Ford EcoSport SUV
  9. Ford Expedition SUV
  10. Chevrolet Trax SUV

“There are a wide range of vehicles impacted, and most of these are pickup trucks and SUVs, which tend to sit higher off the ground, making it easier for thieves to get in and out,” Carfax editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen said in a news release.

“Experts also tell us that while thieves can make anywhere from $25-$300 for a standard catalytic converter, converters from hybrid vehicles can sell for up to $1,400 because they have even more of those precious metals inside,” Olsen said.

And those metals are rising in value.

For example, rhodium was valued at $11,000 per ounce in March, twice as high as it was a year earlier (though well below its 2021 peak of $30,000/ounce), Carfax said. These devices also contain such precious metals as platinum and palladium.

And replacing them can cost a pretty penny as well: as much as $3,000 for vehicle owners without comprehensive insurance coverage.

“Thieves stripped these catalytic converters in a matter of minutes, leaving the car owners to face thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket repair bills,” said Cpl. Annelise Barrett of the Sykesville Police Department in Maryland, in a news release. “We are seeing a noticeable bump in these incidents, not only in our area, but in the surrounding cities as well.”

On a related note, vehicle theft will be among the topics addressed at Canada’s Used Car Week next week, as Detective/Sgt. Greg O’Connor of the
Peel Regional Police’s Commercial Auto Crime Bureau/Financial Services unit will lead a session on “Cloning and Re-Vinning and the Fraud Impact on Dealerships Associated with the Repair Storage & Liens Act.”

To learn more, browse and register: Home | Canada’s Used Car Week 2026