Ontario man says new truck had catalytic converter stolen at dealership
New insurance data shows catalytic converter theft continues to be a huge problem that is showing no signs of slowing down.
According to the Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, theft of catalytic converters rose 60 per cent over the past year, and a whopping 1,700 per cent between 2018 and 2022.
David Warren, of Bowmanville, Ont., told CTV News Toronto he bought a brand new 2022 Dodge Ram truck this past March.
“I was having problems with the truck as soon as I drove it off the lot,” Warren said.
Warren said after picking up the truck, the check engine light came on and there were other issues. He took it to another dealer and said he was told the catalytic converter in his new truck had been replaced with an aftermarket one.
“I was shocked to get that phone call from the dealership saying that the original was stolen and that they had an aftermarket installed," Warren said.
"It shouldn't happen on brand new vehicles when you're buying them.”
Thieves are stealing catalytic converters for the precious metals inside, which include platinum, palladium and rhodium, and are sold for as much as $300 per convertor to salvage yards.
Now it appears criminals are targeting new and used car dealerships, where vehicles often sit unprotected overnight.
“We have talked to the dealership association and they are definitely suffering (due to catalytic converter thefts) both new car lots and used car lots,” said Steve Fletcher, managing director of the Automotive Recyclers of Canada Association (ARC).
Fletcher said while its 350 members follow the rules when it comes to dealing with stolen auto parts in the metals recycling industry, there are some small companies that may be willing to buy illegally-sourced catalytic converters.
"There are a lot of very independent small guys who don't want to turn away a quick buck and there are out and out crooks who exploit loopholes and actively seek out people who have one, two or five catalytic convertors and they are not the true owners of the convertors,” Fletcher said.
According to Allstate Insurance, the average cost to replace a catalytic converter is now $2,900, which is an 81 per cent increase from three years ago.
Warren says he feels the dealer should have told him the catalytic converter on his new truck was not original equipment.
“Ultimately I would like the vehicle either returned of exchanged for a new one," Warren said.
After CTV News Toronto contacted the dealer, they agreed to give Warren a new truck.
Dealers are encouraged to park vehicles indoors, provide extra security and take other measures to prevent catalytic converter theft.
Some auto shops are now engraving converters with a vehicle identification number or placing a cage or protective plate over them so thieves will be unable to cut them off.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
B.C. theatre to pay $55K to neurodivergent actor in discrimination case
British Columbia's human rights tribunal has awarded a neurodigergent actor, who was diagnosed with sensory and learning disorders, more than $55,000 after finding that a Kelowna theatre company discriminated against him because of his disabilities.