How to Prevent Ford Transit Catalytic Converter Theft
Worried about catalytic converter theft for the Ford Transit? Here’s what you need to know about Transit cat theft—and how to prevent it.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
While the Ford Transit isn’t quite a prime target for catalytic converter thieves, you should still keep your guard up to protect this valuable part by parking in a secure area or purchasing a catalytic converter anti-theft plate.
Catalytic converter theft has been on the rise in recent years, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB). But have no fear! In this article, we’ll go over everything you can do to prevent a catalytic converter theft and what to do in the unfortunate event that it gets stolen, along with the type of
car insurance
you need to stay covered. Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Ford Transit?
Thankfully, catalytic converter theft is not as common in the Ford Transit. The reason? Even though it’s located underneath the van, the catalytic converter is mounted way up in the undercarriage—making it difficult to access for would-be thieves.
On the other hand, full-size pickup trucks like the
Chevy Silverado
and Ford F-Series
are major targets for catalytic converter theft because thieves don’t have to jack them up to access this component. Newer Transit vans from 2019 to the present also have a relatively low ground clearance from 5.4 to 5.7 inches—leaving little wiggle room underneath the vehicle. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds (Title in payload)
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ driversWhy are Ford Transit catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters are necessary if you enjoy breathing in clean air thanks to their ability to reduce the effects of the harmful pollutants exerted by the exhaust system. Not only are they valuable to the environment, but cat theft has spiked in the last few years due to the increase in value of the precious metals it's made from, namely rhodium, platinum, and palladium.
Cat thieves can easily rake in cash by selling these stolen goods to scrap metal years or auto salvage companies.
Ford catalytic converter replacement cost
Not only is catalytic converter theft an ethical dilemma many drivers are faced with, but it’s also an expensive one to deal with! It costs between $2,657 and $2,685 for a Ford Transit catalytic converter replacement. You might be able to save money with an aftermarket replacement, but no matter how you slice it—it’s still going to be a costly (and inconvenient) undertaking.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Ford Transit
Even though catalytic converter theft isn’t as prevalent in the Ford Transit, you should still be proactive in protecting this valuable part. Here are a few helpful tips:
Park in a secure area
If you have access to a garage, then that’s the best place to park your Transit. A driveway with motion sensor lights and video surveillance will also work, or even park your van in a well-lit area. Just make sure your vehicle is on full display to make it harder for potential thieves to get away with a crime.
MORE: How to tell if a parking garage is liable for a stolen or damaged vehicle
Buy a catalytic converter shield
You’ll not only discourage cat thieves from stealing your property, but your insurance company may give you a discount for installing an extra security device on your van!
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Etch and tag your catalytic converter with your vehicle’s VIN to stop a potential cat theft in its tracks! While it won’t prevent theft entirely, it will prevent your cat from being sold on the black market. Keep an eye out for regular catalytic converter etching events held by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) or take your Transit to a local muffler shop.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
Adding
comprehensive coverage
to your auto insurance policy will protect you financially if you become a victim of catalytic converter theft. This way, you can file a claim for catalytic converter theft and not have to worry about paying ridiculous out-of-pocket costs for a replacement.What to do if your Ford Transit’s catalytic converter is stolen
Has your Ford Transit’s catalytic converter been stolen? Then the first thing you have to do is call law enforcement. They might be able to access security footage depending on where the crime was committed.
Regardless if the police can catch the thief or not, you can still file a police report, which will help you when you contact your insurance company. If you have comprehensive insurance, then you’ll be able to submit a claim for catalytic converter theft to save yourself thousands in replacement costs—after you pay your deductible, of course. Your insurance provider will also help you schedule repairs with a local mechanic for a new cat.
But if you don’t have comprehensive coverage, then you should look for a mechanic that’s willing to use aftermarket parts so you can save yourself money on replacement costs.
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Can you drive a Ford Transit without a catalytic converter?
While you can drive a Ford Transit without a catalytic converter—that doesn’t mean you should.
First off, you’ll need your catalytic converter to pass emissions testing for your Transit. Secondly, a missing catalytic converter will also cause your van to accelerate roughly and increase road noise too. And worst yet—you’ll be releasing toxic pollutants into the environment!
Though it’s relatively safe to drive a Transit without a catalytic converter, it’s not a good idea for you, your van, or the planet at large.
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