In this month’s edition of BHPH Report, Bill Elizondo of the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association mentioned the growing trend of catalytic converter theft as part of this feature story about reconditioning.

So just how prevalent is catalytic converter theft? According to a news release distributed this week by CARFAX, the National Insurance Crime Bureau, which tracks thefts reported to insurance companies, says the number of those reports increased about 977% from 2018 to more than 14,000 in 2020, the most recent year for which data is available.

CARFAX explained catalytic converter thefts have soared in recent years, thanks in large part to the spiking prices of precious metals. Thieves are removing catalytic converters by cutting them from beneath vehicles.

To help consumers and dealerships, CARFAX has compiled a nationwide list of the top targets for these precious-metal thieves. The models include:

1985-2021 Ford F-Series pickup trucks (F-150, F-250, etc.)

1989-2020 Honda Accord

2007-17 Jeep Patriot

1990-2022 Ford Econoline vans

1999-2021 Chevrolet Silverado pickup trucks

2005-21 Chevrolet Equinox

1997-2020 Honda CR-V

1987-2019 Toyota Camry

2011-17 Chrysler 200

2001-21 Toyota Prius

Depending on where you're located in the country, certain vehicles are targeted more heavily. CARFAX compiled a breakdown by region that’s available via this website.

These lists were compiled by looking at CARFAX service reports for catalytic converter replacements from more than 60,000 service shops across the country from 2019 through the first three months of 2022.