The Toyota Tundra is quickly becoming a major target for catalytic converter thieves—but you can protect yourself by parking in a secure place, etching the VIN onto your catalytic converter, or purchasing a protective device like a catalytic converter anti-theft plate.
If you’re worried about catalytic converter theft—or, worse, just had your Tundra cat stolen—we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll look at strategies for preventing catalytic converter theft, what to do if yours was stolen, and what type of car insurance
you need to cover it. Is it easy to steal the catalytic converter from a Toyota Tundra?
Unfortunately, yes. The second-generation 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra doesn’t just have one catalytic converter—it has four, two located up front by the engine manifold and two located near the rear muffler.
All four catalytic converters on a Toyota Tundra are extremely easy to steal because thieves don’t have to jack up the truck to get to them. Other full-size pickups like the Ford F-Series
and the Chevy Silverado
are popular targets for the same reason. So are other large Toyotas, such as the Toyota Tacoma
mid-size pickup, the full-size Toyota Sequoia
SUV, and the mid-size 4Runner
. Top Toyota Tundra years that catalytic converter thieves target
Pretty much any Toyota Tundra manufactured between 2007 and 2021 is likely to be a target for catalytic converter thieves.
But if you’ve got a 2022 Toyota Tundra with a hybrid powertrain, your truck is an especially hot target: because hybrid catalytic converters use a higher concentration of precious metals, they’re more valuable on the black market.
Why are Toyota Tundra catalytic converters stolen?
Catalytic converters filter harmful emissions out of your truck’s exhaust through a fine honeycomb of precious metals, such as rhodium, platinum, and palladium. In recent years, the value of those materials has gone up exponentially, making catalytic converters extremely attractive to thieves.
As of March 2022, here’s what each of the metals in your Tundra’s catalytic converter are worth:
Platinum: $1,128 per ounce
Palladium: $2,938 per ounce
Rhodium: $20,000 per ounce
Of course, there’s less than an ounce of each of these metals in your catalytic converter—but the other factor that drives catalytic converter theft is just how easy it is to steal them, especially from full-size trucks. With a ground clearance of about 10 inches, all a thief needs to do is scoot underneath the parked truck and cut the pipes on either side of the catalytic converter, then skedaddle with the stolen part.
Toyota catalytic converter replacement cost
Here’s the real reason why catalytic converter theft is a problem (besides, you know, the ethics): it costs between $3,721 and $3,888 to replace a Toyota Tundra catalytic converter. Opting for an aftermarket replacement could reduce your costs slightly, but the fact remains that they’re extremely expensive parts, and a replacement often involves some complicated labor.
How to prevent catalytic converter theft from a Toyota Tundra
As the Toyota Tundra becomes a more popular target for thieves, here are a few catalytic converter anti-theft strategies that can help you protect your truck’s most valuable assets:
Park in a secure area
Park your Tundra in a garage or a well-lit area with video surveillance. Motion sensor lights in your driveway are a good investment if you’re not able to park your truck in a garage.
The harder it is for a potential thief to get to your truck unseen, the less likely they are to bother with your vehicle.
MORE: How to tell if a parking garage is liable for a stolen or damaged vehicle
Buy a catalytic converter shield
Invest in an anti-theft device, such as a catalytic converter anti-theft shield. These devices are typically pretty simple: an aluminum plate or cage that covers your front cats or rear cats.
Not sure where to start? The Cat Shield™ from MILLERCAT
is a great product, but you can also get great catalytic converter protection devices from Cat Security™
or even on Amazon. Check what’s in stock and compare it to your exact model to ensure proper fitment. If you own a Tundra TRD, make sure to find a cat shield that works with your truck’s off-road skid plates. Most catalytic converter shields on the market are designed for easy installation, so this is a good DIY project for most Tundra owners. Depending on the device you buy, it may even come with the security bolts and hand tools necessary to install.
Not only will a cat shield act as an effective theft deterrent, but your insurance company might give you a discounted rate on your comprehensive insurance if you install one!
4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers Put your VIN on the catalytic converter
A catalytic converter that’s been etched and tagged with the vehicle’s VIN can’t be sold on the black market—so it’s a great way to stop a potential theft!
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) holds regular catalytic converter etching events. If you can find one in your area, that’s an easy way to get this anti-theft service done. But you can also take your Tundra cat to a muffler shop to be tagged.
MORE: How to check and decode a Toyota VIN
Invest in comprehensive insurance
No, this won’t do anything to lower the risk of catalytic converter theft. But it will protect your wallet in case you’re unlucky enough to have your Tundra cat stolen.
Without comprehensive insurance
, you won’t be able to submit a claim for catalytic converter theft—meaning that all of the costs for a replacement will come out of your own pocket. In addition to taking the steps outlined above, it’s a good idea to prepare for the worst with a full-coverage insurance policy—especially if your Tundra is a newer model. What to do if your Toyota Tundra’s catalytic converter is stolen
If you’ve discovered that your Toyota Tundra’s catalytic converter was stolen, your first step should be to contact the authorities. Depending on where the theft took place, they may be able to pull security footage and help to catch the person who took it.
Even if the police aren’t able to find the thief, they’ll be able to file a police report, which will be helpful for step two: contacting your insurance company. If your auto insurance policy includes comprehensive coverage, you should be able to file a claim for the theft—and since replacement costs run into the thousands of dollars, it’s likely worth your while to submit a claim!
Your insurance company will work with you to schedule repairs with a mechanic and cover the cost of the replacement parts. You’ll have to pay a deductible before insurance will pay out for the rest of the cost, but your deductible will likely be much lower than the full cost of replacement.
If you don’t have comprehensive coverage on your policy, you’ll still need to replace the catalytic converter, but you’ll have to pay for it yourself. Look for a mechanic willing to use aftermarket parts, and you may be able to save on replacement costs.
Can you drive a Toyota Tundra without a catalytic converter?
If all four of your Tundra’s catalytic converters are stolen—well, first of all, we’re sorry. But you will be able to keep driving the vehicle without them; it’s just not a practical long-term option.
For one thing, a Tundra missing one or more catalytic converters won’t be able to pass emissions testing. If you live in an area where that’s required to maintain your registration, you’ll need to get a replacement before the testing deadline passes. But a missing catalytic converter will also increase road noise and cause rough acceleration—not to mention releasing harmful gases into the atmosphere!
The Bottom Line It’s safe to drive a Tundra without a catalytic converter, but it’s not a sustainable option—for you, or for the planet.
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