Prius Cat Theft Tracking

Wow, talk about over reach for a state that is not even being affected by this; outside of Ashland and Portland they don't even have smog laws and thus aftermarket cats are the norm if/when they go bad.

Also, this doesn't mean they can't just sell them online as is the norm--paypal takes their cut as does ebay but they get sold for $1300 in matter of days. This sucks for the guys at Atomic or anyone who would want to sell them to get a credit type deal, but otherwise its not going to do much. It's all just grandstanding that underscores a more systemic issue, specifically in CA but also in the rest of the US: massive wealth inequality and unemployment.

 

I'm pretty sure the idiots cut that thing incorrectly, too.

It's between the two canisters and along the o2 sensor so its right down the middle... It's fixable but will likely leak with time and is probably going to throw a code if it leaks as it won't register a proper reading as it's right next to the downstream 02 sensor.

Edit: definitely looks like before the DS 02 Sensor, I had look for the pic mine when.

 

This is CBS Sacramento. First news report that so strongly labels it an international theft ring. Apparently China is also cracking down on emissions and the demand is high there, although the chart shows other countries receiving our stolen goods as well.

:edit: The reason I'm calling this out is that if we only address with statewide legislation, it's not going to make much of a dent if it's an international smuggling ring.

 

Oh, wow... Where was this? Any chance I can get a link to that group via PM? I don't do social media, I don't think forums count, but I've been absolutely engrossed on this matter for the last couple of weeks as I saw the culmination of all my observations.

But, as noted, we are seeing more arrests happening; today it was announced that on top of the 250 in LA, there was another operation in San Bernardino county with 150 (Prius not specified but likely included) and 3 other arrests were made, so in total 22 people have been arrested so far in SoCal alone. Given the frequency in NorCal was higher I expect that will yield a massive glut of them as well.

I still cannot believe this is happening, and Newson is likely to not care as he is dela with a recall and an abysmal and bleak economic 'recovery' as things are only now starting to open up a year after shutdown.

 

So I think we just got bit with this Maryland. Our 2007 Prius is making a terrible racket when the gas engine is running and there's the smell of oily exhaust. I'm not car savvy enough to know that it's actually missing or not, but from what I'm reading I think this has to be it. I had been told about this theft problem and, in a huge mistake, chose to ignore it. Is it safe to drive the car to the shop (it's not too far) or should I have it towed? And can a shop get and install an aftermarket cat for us? Also, is this only a problem on older Prius? We also have a 2012 Prius c and 2013 Prius c. Should we get those plates installed on those too?

 

Thanks. After I posted that I went back and looked at it again, but couldn't really tell, but then I took pictures of the bottom of my car with my phone and in some of those I could see the cut pipe and also a small bundle of cut wires, plus then I noticed some parts on the ground, so it was obvious then that it was stolen. We reported it to the police and they told us this area has seen a huge uptick in these crimes recently, and it's mostly been this gen of prius and, for whatever reason, mostly 2009 models (though ours is a 2007). Put in a claim with our insurance company, but the car has 170k miles on it, so we are worried they are going to total it. Not much we can do about that. Just keeping our fingers crossed.

 

We got our cat replaced using our insurance so it was fine. What surprises me is that the estimate for the parts was only $755.67. So that has to be an aftermarket or at least otherwise less valuable catalytic converter, right? So is it now much less likely it would be stolen? Or do I still need to get a security plate installed? The location where this car was parked has zero street lights.

 

Good to hear.
Hope your rates don't go up.

1.) ONLY?!
Maryland has its problems, but at least you can use a non-OEM replacement catalytic converter, O2 sensor, etc.
$755 is almost as outlandish as the prices that they are paying out on the left coast.....but it probably includes hardware, o2 sensors, plugs, wires, nuts, bolts, graft, thievery, price gouging, etc....

You just stated that the parts bill was $755, so I'd say that depends on where you live, and how many other recently decatanated Priuses are looking for a way to save $755----maybe with owners that do not have comp and collision.
In my part of the country, cat theft is nearly unheard of - and half of our vehicles are already raised enough so that the would-be thief would not have to use a jack.

That would probably slow them down a little bit, but you're looking at about $250 plus shipping and installation.
I'd go to the nearest muffler shop and tell them that some know-it-all that you met suggested that they could probably weld some rebar or bar stock onto the muffler pipes to keep them from being easily cut.
Tell them that the know-it-all suggested that they could do it for $150 out the door.

If they presume that you know nothing about cars and shank you for another $100 - you're still cheaper off than using some aluminum plate - and the right kind of bar stick would be a MUCH MORE effective solution - if properly applied.

Good Luck.
Hope your rates don't go up.

 

actually.. because of time contstraint and the pressure from buyer .. i bought the replacemnt from amazon .. (to correct the earlier stating ebay) ... amazing how so little work is so expensive .. (muffler related) guess it has to do with the expense of a shop with a lift ... I would have liked to have a properer pipe fit using the clamp .. even if it needed using the pipe expander ..
for the better flow .. oh well .. i think the replacemnt is ever so slightly louder .. but the car seems to be happier with fresh cat to breath through .. thought there was nothing wrong ( no codes) with the existing one ...

 

C.A.R.B. states are required to provide longer warranties on hybrid batteries. The same regulations can easily be modified to require the same manufacturers to provide replacement cats without the entire resonator, and in case of Gen 3 and above, pre-heater coolers, which are bulkier and more costly in material and shipping, at cost, if rules do not allow for an aftermarket replacement.