Catalytic converter theft remains a serious problem for U.S. vehicle owners because these emissions-control components contain valuable precious metals. CARFAX reported that more than 137,000 catalytic converters were stolen in the United States during 2025, showing that the problem remains significant even after theft levels fell from their 2023 peak.
Vehicle design also influences risk. Trucks and SUVs can provide easier access underneath, while some hybrids have converters that can be particularly valuable. CARFAX’s 2026 analysis identified ten vehicles that appeared most frequently among reported catalytic converter thefts nationwide.
The list includes pickups, SUVs, and smaller crossovers, showing that thieves target a surprisingly broad range of vehicles.
1. Ford F-150
The Ford F-150 sits at the top of CARFAX’s 2026 national list of vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft. That position is notable because the F-150 is one of America’s most common pickups, meaning its large population on U.S. roads also creates more opportunities for thieves.
CARFAX’s analysis of 2025 theft data placed the F-150 ahead of the other vehicles in its nationwide ranking.
Pickup trucks also present a practical vulnerability. The National Insurance Crime Bureau has noted that SUVs, pickup trucks, vans, and buses can attract catalytic converter thieves because their greater ground clearance makes it easier to access components underneath the vehicle.
The F-150 has also appeared repeatedly in regional theft reports. NICB reported in 2026 that the F-150 was among the vehicles commonly targeted for catalytic converter theft in Texas.
The risk should not be interpreted as meaning every F-150 is equally vulnerable. Model year, exhaust configuration, parking location, and local theft patterns can all influence exposure. Owners who park outside for long periods should pay particular attention to where the truck is left, especially overnight.
Ford’s current F-150 also demonstrates how dramatically specifications vary across configurations. The 2025 truck can be equipped with several engines, including the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, 5.0-liter V8, and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6.
2. Hyundai Tucson
The Hyundai Tucson is another interesting entry because it demonstrates that catalytic converter theft is not limited to full-size pickups. CARFAX placed the Tucson second on its 2026 national list based on reported catalytic converter theft activity in 2025.
Unlike a pickup, the Tucson sits much closer to the ground and does not provide the same underbody access as a high-clearance truck. Its presence on the list shows that catalytic converter thieves are not necessarily choosing vehicles based only on how easy they are to reach.
The potential value of the converter and the number of vehicles available in a particular area can also influence which models are targeted.
Catalytic converters contain platinum, palladium, and rhodium. CARFAX reported that thieves can receive substantially more for converters from some hybrid vehicles, although the Tucson’s conventional gasoline versions should not be confused with hybrid-specific theft patterns.
For the 2025 U.S. Tucson, Hyundai offered both a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder and electrified powertrains depending on configuration. The standard gasoline engine produces 187 horsepower and 178 lb-ft of torque.
The vehicle measures 182.7 inches long and 73.4 inches wide, with ground clearance reaching 8.3 inches on applicable configurations.
3. Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer ranks third on CARFAX’s 2026 nationwide list of vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft, based on reported theft activity during 2025. Its position is notable because the Explorer combines the characteristics thieves often look for in an SUV with a large population of vehicles on American roads.
CARFAX says pickup trucks and SUVs appear frequently among the top targets because their higher ride height can make access underneath easier.
That does not mean every Explorer faces the same level of risk. Theft patterns vary considerably by location, parking conditions, and vehicle configuration. Still, the model’s appearance on the national list makes it worth paying attention to if you own one, particularly when it is routinely parked outside overnight.
The potential cost to the owner can be substantial. NICB says replacing a stolen catalytic converter can cost $1,000 to $2,500 or more depending on the vehicle. CARFAX puts some replacement costs as high as $3,000.
Ford’s 2025 Explorer was offered with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 300 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, while the Explorer ST used a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 400 horsepower and 415 lb-ft.
For protection, CARFAX recommends well-lit parking, garage storage where possible, and anti-theft devices designed to make converter removal more difficult.
4. Ram 2500
The Ram 2500 ranks fourth in CARFAX’s 2026 national list, continuing a pattern found in catalytic converter theft data. Heavy-duty pickups can be appealing targets because their higher ride height makes it easier for thieves to reach components underneath the vehicle.
NICB specifically identifies pickups and other high-clearance vehicles as particularly vulnerable because a thief can more easily slide underneath and remove the converter.
The Ram 2500 is also a particularly large vehicle, with several cab and bed configurations. That means its dimensions vary significantly, but the truck’s substantial ground clearance remains one of the characteristics that can make underbody components accessible.
For 2025, Ram offered the 2500 with a 6.4-liter HEMI V8 or a high-output 6.7-liter Cummins turbo-diesel inline-six. The diesel produces 430 horsepower and an enormous 1,075 lb-ft of torque, while the HEMI produces 405 horsepower and 429 lb-ft.
The truck’s inclusion on the theft list does not mean the catalytic converter is guaranteed to be stolen, nor does it indicate a specific model year is uniquely vulnerable. Local crime patterns remain important.
Owners who regularly leave a Ram 2500 outside can reduce exposure by using secure parking, lighting, and additional anti-theft protection.
CARFAX also recommends having the VIN etched onto the converter and using highly visible high-temperature paint, measures intended to make stolen components easier to identify and potentially less attractive to thieves.
5. Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado ranks fifth on CARFAX’s 2026 nationwide list of vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft, based on reported theft activity during 2025. Its appearance is not particularly surprising because full-size pickups are repeatedly identified as vulnerable targets.
Their elevated ride height can provide easier access to exhaust components underneath the truck, reducing the amount of time a thief needs to spend working beneath the vehicle.
The Silverado’s position also reflects how broadly catalytic converter theft affects the U.S. pickup market. CARFAX found several full-size and heavy-duty trucks in its national Top 10, while NICB has separately warned that pickups, SUVs, and other high-clearance vehicles can face increased exposure because converters are easier to reach.
For owners, the financial consequences can extend well beyond replacing the stolen component. CARFAX reports that replacement costs can reach as much as $3,000 for some vehicles, while the vehicle can also be left temporarily undrivable until the exhaust system is repaired.
The 2025 Silverado 1500 offered several powertrains. The 5.3-liter EcoTec3 V8 produced 355 horsepower and 383 lb-ft of torque, while the available 6.2-liter V8 delivered 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. Chevrolet also offered a 3.0-liter Duramax turbo-diesel producing 305 horsepower and 495 lb-ft.
6. Chevrolet Traverse
The Chevrolet Traverse holds sixth place in CARFAX’s national 2026 ranking, showing that catalytic converter thieves are not focused exclusively on pickup trucks.
The Traverse is a large three-row SUV, and CARFAX notes that SUVs frequently appear among targeted vehicles because their ride height can provide comparatively convenient access to components underneath.
The Traverse’s presence is particularly relevant because catalytic converter theft is driven by several factors rather than one simple characteristic.
Thieves seek the precious metals contained inside these emissions-control components, including platinum, palladium, and rhodium. CARFAX reported that more than 137,000 catalytic converters were stolen in the U.S. during 2025.
Owners should also understand that the national ranking does not mean every Traverse has the same probability of being targeted. Local theft patterns can be very different from national figures. CARFAX’s regional lists, for example, show the Traverse appearing among the leading targets in multiple parts of the country.
For 2025, the Traverse moved to a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 328 horsepower and 326 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet paired it with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The SUV measures 204.5 inches long and 79.6 inches wide without mirrors.
For Traverse owners concerned about theft, secure parking, good exterior lighting, and an appropriate catalytic-converter security device can add another layer of protection. CARFAX also recommends marking the converter with the vehicle’s VIN and highly visible high-temperature paint to make a stolen component easier to identify.
7. Ram 3500
The Ram 3500 ranks seventh in CARFAX’s 2026 nationwide list of vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft. Its presence alongside the Ram 2500 points to a recurring trend in the data, with heavy-duty pickups appearing multiple times among the vehicles targeted by thieves.
CARFAX says many of the most targeted trucks and SUVs sit relatively high off the ground, making access to underbody components easier for thieves.
The Ram 3500 is particularly substantial, and its different cab, bed, and drivetrain configurations can change its dimensions considerably. That means the vehicle should not be viewed as having one single physical setup. What remains consistent is its heavy-duty pickup architecture and elevated chassis.
CARFAX says catalytic converter thieves are attracted by platinum, palladium, and rhodium contained within the emissions-control equipment. It reported more than 137,000 catalytic converters stolen across the U.S. during 2025.
The 2025 Ram 3500 can be equipped with the 6.7-liter High-Output Cummins turbo-diesel, producing 430 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque. Cummins confirms those figures for the North American pickup application.
Because the national ranking is based on reported theft data rather than a probability calculation for each vehicle, owners should also consider local crime patterns. Secure parking, lighting, and physical anti-theft protection can make a vehicle less convenient to target.
8. Ford EcoSport
The Ford EcoSport is an unexpected entry at eighth place because it is considerably smaller than the full-size pickups dominating much of the national list. CARFAX’s 2026 analysis nevertheless places the EcoSport among the ten vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft in the United States, based on 2025 theft data.
Its inclusion is useful because it demonstrates that vehicle size alone does not determine theft exposure. The national ranking includes several SUVs, and CARFAX notes that popular nameplates can become frequent targets simply because large numbers are operating across the country.
Regional conditions also matter, with the EcoSport appearing in several of CARFAX’s regional rankings.
The U.S.-market EcoSport was discontinued after the 2022 model year, so owners are now dealing with an older vehicle rather than a current new-car model. Ford’s final U.S. version used a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with standard all-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission.
That 2022 model produced 166 horsepower and 149 lb-ft of torque. Ford’s specifications put its length at 161.3 inches and width at 69.5 inches without the mirrors.
For owners concerned about theft, CARFAX recommends secure parking, well-lit areas, and physical anti-theft devices designed to make converter removal more difficult. Marking the converter with the vehicle’s VIN can also help authorities identify it if it is recovered.
9. Ford Expedition
The Ford Expedition takes ninth place in CARFAX’s 2026 national ranking of vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft, based on reported theft activity during 2025. Its appearance fits the pattern seen throughout the list, as full-size SUVs provide considerable ground clearance and relatively accessible underbody areas.
CARFAX notes that pickups and SUVs make up many of the vehicles appearing among the most targeted models nationwide.
The Expedition is also one of the largest vehicles on this list. That does not automatically make it a theft target, but its size and elevated chassis can make underneath access easier than on a low-slung passenger car. Local theft patterns still matter, so a national ranking should not be interpreted as an individual owner’s exact risk.
The 2025 Expedition was redesigned with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 400 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque in its standard configuration. Ford also offered a high-output version producing 440 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque.
CARFAX says catalytic converter replacement can cost owners thousands of dollars in some cases. It recommends secure parking, good lighting, and anti-theft devices that make converter removal more difficult. Marking the converter with the VIN can also help identify it if recovered.
10. Chevrolet Trax
The Chevrolet Trax completes CARFAX’s 2026 nationwide Top 10, ranking tenth among the vehicles most frequently targeted for catalytic converter theft during 2025. Its position is interesting because the Trax is a small crossover rather than a full-size truck or SUV.
That reinforces the point that catalytic converter theft is not limited to vehicles with large dimensions or exceptional ground clearance.
CARFAX reported more than 137,000 catalytic converters stolen across the United States during 2025. The organization says thieves target the devices because they contain valuable platinum, palladium, and rhodium. Hybrid converters can be particularly valuable, although the Trax is not a hybrid model.
The current-generation Trax uses a 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. Chevrolet rates it at 137 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, with front-wheel drive and a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet lists the vehicle at roughly 3,000 pounds depending on trim and equipment.
For Trax owners, the same basic precautions recommended for other vehicles apply. Parking in a secure garage is preferable, while well-lit areas and motion-activated lighting can make outdoor parking less attractive to thieves. CARFAX also recommends converter marking and physical anti-theft protection as additional deterrents.
