Catalytic converter thefts hit the news in a big way in 2021 and 2022, with the most recent victim of the crime being the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. In a recent study, Carfax estimates that as many as 153,000 vehicles may have had the part stolen last year alone.
The company’s data scientists looked at service records across the U.S. to determine which vehicles were the most frequently targeted across the nation, and in more specific regions.
Nationwide, it was owners of Ford’s F-Series trucks that were the most widely targeted by catalytic converter thieves. This is less than surprising, since the truck is America’s best-selling vehicle, but its height also makes it an easier target, since thieves can more easily crawl under it and access the part. Indeed, the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Tacoma, two pickups, are also among the top 10.
Read: Multimillion-Dollar Catalytic Converter Theft Operation Thwarted By US Law Enforcement
The truck wasn’t the biggest target in every part of the country, though. In the Western United States, for instance (an area that covers Hawaii, Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada), F-Series trucks were only the fifth most commonly targeted vehicles.
The region’s love of the Toyota Prius helped make it the most likely to have its catalytic converter stolen. The high value of the Prius’s part, in particular, made it the third-most widely targeted vehicle in the U.S. Hybrid vehicles are preferred by thieves because their converters contain more precious metals and can be worth several times more than a standard one.
Top Targets Western U.S. (Alaska, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Washington)
In the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast parts of the country, robbers preferred the Honda CR-V, which proved to be the top victim in both regions. It won’t come as a surprise, however, to learn that, in the Southeast, Southwest, Midwest, and the Plains, F-Series trucks were the most popular vehicles for thieves.
The proliferation of catalytic converter thefts can be a real nightmare for owners, as it can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs. Authorities recommend parking in a well-lit area, parking indoors, and installing a catalytic converter anti-theft device, especially if you drive one of the vehicles in these lists.
See below to find out which vehicles are the most commonly targeted by catalytic converter thefts in your region.
Top Targets Southwestern U.S. (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah)
Top Targets Plains (Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming)
Top Targets Midwest (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, and Wisconsin)
Top Targets Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont)
Top Targets Mid-Atlantic (Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania)
Top Targets Southeast (Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia)
Top Targets South (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi)