Is catalytic converter still on backorder in CO?

Hi guys. I am an owner of 2006 Gen2 Prius. This is my very first post here, but I am been here watching many posts for a long time.


Here is the thing. I’ve been watching those terrible news about catalytic converter theft nationwide for few months. Unfortunately, I became one of the victims just yesterday...

My car was parked in a small parking lot at downtown Boulder, CO. The police knocked my door early morning and said that somebody jacked my car up and took something underneath. I immediately knew I am done. Fortunately, my neighbors called police and was willing to be a wittiness, and I have insurance to compensate the super expensive OEM catalytic converter.

The problem is that these thieves steal thousands and thousands of cat converters which makes the OEM catalytic converter always on backorder, since every victim like me have to order a new cat converter.

Few months ago I asked Stevinson Toyota West in Lakewood CO for a quote, they said I have to at least wait for a month... The reason I was asking is because I had a P0420 code which is also related to catalytic converter. Of course I didn’t order that just because it makes no sense to spend large amount of money and time.

Of course you can always buy an aftermarket cat and pass the emission test, but not for me since I have insurance coverage to pay for the loss. But I am wondering if anyone in CO or other states who had their cats being stolen still have to wait few months just for the parts now? I saw from news that shops are filled with Priuses with missing cats about 3 months ago which really freaks me out... If so, I will be totally despair and I should probably consider a long-term rental car

The pictures taken by neighbors clearly show the thieves and their car. Just few hours ago at late night before the steal happened, I saw a Prius in front me was extremely loud but didn’t pay attention to that…

Watch out every Prius owner. This is a 5 mins work for them if you don’t have any protection. I hope you guys can get a cat defender soon if you haven’t yet.