With catalytic converter theft so high, protecting your Ford Explorer from catalytic converter thieves has never been more important than now. Across the country, Ford Explorer owners are becoming victims of catalytic converter theft at an alarming rate.
According to RepairPal.com, the average cost of replacing a catalytic converter is approximately $1269 to $1315.
Then, add to the fact that most For Explorers have two or four catalytic converters depending on the model, the total cost to replace can be extraordinary.
Why is the Ford Explorer being targeted for catalytic converter theft?
The Ford Explorer, like many SUVs, is a popular target because its catalytic converters are easy to access. This is due to the fact that the Ford Explorer has high ground clearance. Thieves stealing catalytic converters can easily slide under the vehicle and cut the catalytic converter out in as little as 30 seconds with a battery-powered Sawzall.
By the time you hear the noise, and that is IF you hear the noise, they are already driving off with your Explorer’s catalytic converter.
While the Ford Explorer’s catalytic converter may not be as in high demand as hybrid vehicles, such as a Toyota Prius, or Honda Element, the easy accessibility makes them a target that many catalytic converter thieves can’t pass up.
How many catalytic converters does a Ford Explorer have?
The number of catalytic converters a Ford Explorer has depends on the year, make, and model. Most Ford Explorers have two or four catalytic converters. Ford Explorers with V8 engines typically have four catalytic converters, while those with V6 engines typically have two.
Ford Explorer catalytic converter theft prevention
The best thing you can do to protect your Ford Explorer’s catalytic converter is to deter theft in the first place. Thieves tend to target most cars at home, or in large parking lots with lots of other vehicles around. Often in broad daylight. So while the local police department may try to deter thieves from frequent patrolling, they can’t be everywhere at once.
The best way to deter thieves is to install a catalytic converter shield, sometimes known as a catalytic converter lock or catalytic converter cover. These devices can be found online at places like Amazon for many vehicles, but they are not readily available for all vehicle types.
At the time of this writing, we did not see any specific catalytic converter shields for Ford Explorers, but we are seeing more and more models coming out for vehicles all the time since catalytic converter theft is on the rise and such a huge problem for vehicle owners and insurance companies due to the skyrocketing prices of the precious metals inside and high replacement cost.
If you can’t find a catalytic converter guard for your Ford Explorer, you can contact your local muffler shop or mechanic to see if they can fabricate a DIY solution.
If that is not an option, consider etching and painting your catalytic converter with your VIN number, and when possible park your vehicle in a closed garage, or along a well-lit street with heavy vehicle traffic or pedestrian traffic.
If at home, and can’t park inside a garage, you could also consider a wireless camera system with built-in WI-FI, cloud recording, and motion detection. A great system can be installed in minutes and we have found it to not only be a great deterrent, but systems that come with a phone app, give early notification if someone is messing with your car so you can call the police.
While these anti-theft solutions won’t guarantee that your catalytic won’t be stolen, they will drastically reduce the chances that thieves will get away with stealing the catalytic converters off your Ford Explorer.
