NADA Supports Catalytic Converter Anti-Theft Legislation

NADA supports federal legislation to give law enforcement the tools to fight catalytic converter theft, which has risen by nearly 900% between 2019 and 2023. Thieves can easily steal catalytic converters from unattended vehicles, and since catalytic converters are not readily traceable, there is a lucrative market for these stolen parts.

These thefts are costing millions of dollars to businesses and individual vehicle owners alike. NADA supported a bipartisan bill last Congress, the PART Act (H.R. 621/S. 154). This bill would require new vehicles to have unique, traceable identifying numbers stamped on catalytic converters at the time of assembly. 

The bill also establishes a federal criminal penalty for the theft, sale, trafficking or known purchase of stolen catalytic converters. NADA and 120 other organizations sent a letter urging passage of the PART Act in August. Members of Congress are urged to cosponsor the PART Act, which will soon be reintroduced.