How to Prevent Nissan Titan Catalytic Converter Theft
Catalytic converter thieves frequently target the Nissan Titan. Read this guide to learn about cat theft and how to prevent it.
Written by Jessica Gibson
Reviewed by Brenna Swanston
The
Nissan
Titan is just one of many trucks being targeted by catalytic converter thieves—probably because the Titan has four cats! Fortunately, you can reduce the risk of theft by parking in a secure location, personalizing your converters, or installing an anti-theft device.Whether you’ve just had your catalytic converters stolen or you’re trying to prevent that from happening, we’re here to help. In this guide, we’ll give you the next steps for replacing your catalytic converters, tips for deterring thieves, and advice on what kind of
car insurance
comes in handy with catalytic converter replacement.Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Nissan Titan?
Since Titans have four catalytic converters, it’s easy for a thief to slide right under the truck and cut one catalytic converter free (or all of them). Two cats are up near the engine manifold, and two are back near the muffler.
Because the Titan (along with other popularly targeted trucks like the
Ford F-Series
and the Chevy Silverado
) is up off the ground, thieves have no trouble getting under the truck to access the catalytic converters.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+ driversTop Nissan Titan years that catalytic converter thieves target
Unfortunately, any Nissan Titan produced since 2004 may be targeted by thieves. Nissan Titans have not one but four catalytic converters, so they’re profitable for someone looking to sell cats on the black market.
Why are Nissan Titan catalytic converters stolen?
When you drive, the exhaust doesn’t simply exit your truck through the exhaust pipe. Instead, it passes through the catalytic converter. Its interior looks like a honeycomb of metals, such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium.
If these sound expensive, it’s because they are! The high value of these metals is what makes catalytic converters a target for thieves.
The prices of these metals fluctuate every day. Here’s what each of them is worth as of December 2022:
- Platinum: $993 per ounce
- Palladium: $1,616 per ounce
- Rhodium: $12,250 per ounce
Even though there’s less than one ounce of each type of metal in the catalytic converter, the part is so easy to steal that thieves find it worthwhile. Since your Nissan Titan has a ground clearance of around 10.1 inches, it’s easier for a thief to slide under your truck to cut the cat free. They don’t even have to jack up the vehicle!
Nissan catalytic converter replacement cost
It costs a pretty penny to replace this valuable part. RepairPal estimates that you’ll spend a total of $1,549 and $1,769 replacing your Nissan Titan’s catalytic converter. This estimate doesn’t include taxes and fees.
You can save a little by installing an aftermarket replacement, but there’s no good way to save on the high labor costs. Cat installation is tricky, so the price tag reflects that.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Nissan Titan
You might feel powerless to stop catalytic converter theft, but there are things you can do to make it harder for thieves. Remember, the more difficult you make it, the less likely they’ll be to target your truck! Here are some tips to deter would-be criminals:
Park in a secure area
We get it—sometimes it’s tough to find a good parking spot for your large truck, especially in a parking garage. But a secure garage or a well-lit area with video surveillance is the best place to park.
If you must park on the street or driveway, choose a well-lit spot around other cars or trucks. This makes it harder for thieves to steal your catalytic converter without being seen.
MORE: How to find city parking
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Shop for an anti-theft device like a catalytic converter anti-theft shield. Essentially, the shield is made from aluminum, and it wraps around the catalytic converters. The shield might be solid or a cage.
The goal is to slow down thieves so they’re less likely to target your truck.
Although you might find products like the
Cat Shield™
, it’s important to buy an anti-theft device that’s designed specifically for your Nissan Titan—otherwise, it won’t fit! Check online or ask local mechanics to recommend a product.Once you find a product that works, install it yourself if you feel confident. Most shields come with the bolts and tools you need to install them. If you’re not feeling up to it, ask a mechanic or check with a muffler shop about installing the shield.
Finally, after you’ve installed the cat shield, check with your insurance company to see if they’ll give you a discount. Some insurers reward drivers who install anti-theft devices.
Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
Thieves have a much harder time selling a stolen catalytic converter if it’s been personalized and is easy to trace. Ask your mechanic to etch your truck’s VIN onto the cat.
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) also holds regular catalytic converter etching events. Check their event calendar to see when they’ll do this in your area.
Invest in comprehensive insurance
A good insurance policy can’t stop catalytic converter theft, but it can protect your finances. Read through your insurance coverage to check that you’ve got
comprehensive insurance
, which you need to file a claim for cat theft. After you file a claim, your insurance company will cover the cost of the replacement and the labor to install it. If you don’t have comprehensive, you’ll be footing the bill yourself. Think of comprehensive coverage as peace of mind!
What to do if your Nissan Titan’s catalytic converter is stolen
It’s pretty easy to
tell if your truck's catalytic converters have been stolen
. Contact the authorities immediately if you see that one or more of the cats is missing. The authorities might be able to get security footage if your Titan was under video surveillance. This can help them catch the thief.After you file a report with the police, contact your insurance company and give them the police report number. You’ll have to pay your policy’s deductible if you’ve got comprehensive insurance, but then the insurance company will cover the replacement and repair costs.
Your insurance provider should discuss scheduling catalytic converter repairs with a mechanic. Some providers might have you pay for repairs and then reimburse you, while others will send you funds to cover the costs.
What happens if you don’t have comprehensive insurance or just have
liability coverage
? Sadly, you’ll still have to replace the catalytic converters, but you’ll have to pay for them all yourself. To save a little money, ask mechanics if they offer aftermarket parts instead of OEM (original equipment manufacturer) cats.MORE: Should you take the 2021 Nissan Titan off-road?
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Can you drive a Nissan Titan without a catalytic converter?
While you can drive your truck without a converter, the question is, should you? Without all four catalytic converters, your Titan will display error codes. You’ll also notice your fuel economy dip, and your truck might even feel rougher to drive (not to mention the increase in road noise).
Plus, you probably won’t pass emissions testing if you’re missing catalytic converters. From an environmental perspective, driving without cats is a big no-no—you’re releasing harmful pollution unnecessarily.
If you’ve got to drive your Titan, make it count! Head straight to the repair shop and get those catalytic converters replaced.
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