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Catalytic converter theft continues to run rampant throughout the United States.

Catalytic converters, you never think about them until the day you go to start your car and discover the one that was once attached to your vehicle is gone. The biggest clues your catalytic converter might have been stolen? An excessive amount of engine noise and noxious fumes coming from underneath the car.

So, what are catalytic converters and why are they suddenly popular with thieves looking to make a quick buck? To start, catalytic converters are located within the exhaust system and help clean the emissions of a gasoline- or diesel-powered engine. They have been a federally mandated requirement on every new vehicle since 1975.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), catalytic converter theft has spiked dramatically due to three precious metals found inside them: palladium, rhodium, and platinum. How precious are we talking about here? At the time of this writing, an ounce of rhodium costs about $15,000. For comparison, an ounce of gold costs a measly $1800.

Using data compiled by the NICB and service reports from car repair shops around the country, Carfax determined the 10 vehicles most commonly targeted for their catalytic converters.

The Toyota Prius, particularly the second-gen model produced from 2004 to 2009, is especially attractive when it comes to catalytic converter theft. This is partly due to the fact its gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain’s internal combustion engine doesn’t run as hot as it would without the powertrain’s associated electric motors. Ironically, given its Earth-friendly image, this means more precious metals were needed in the catalytic converters used to clean up the Prius’s cooler exhaust (this was lessened in the third-generation model). NICB notes that because a hybrid, such as the Prius, puts less wear on its catalytic converter, these vehicles’ cats remain especially valuable even after years of use.

As the replacement for the much-maligned Sebring, the Chrysler 200 was a significant step forward in terms of style, cabin comfort, and performance. We weren’t overwhelmed with every detail of the 200–including its spotty cabin quality and inconsistent steering effort–though we credited it for being “headed in the right direction.” A new 200 arrived for 2015, and though it sported more modern style and features, it also marked the end of the line for the model’s convertible body style. The 200 sedan faded away after the 2017 model year, though its popularity lives on among catalytic converter thieves.

The Toyota Camry is a mid-size sedan with a reputation for reliability. Over the years, the Camry has been offered in sedan, coupe, wagon, and even convertible format (that last dubbed the Camry Solara). Driving excitement, however, is not a trait generally associated with the Camry. Yet this popular sedan seems to excite ne'er-do-wells looking to steal a catalytic converter, as this popular Toyota sedan takes the nation’s eighth spot in this list.

The Honda CR-V helped create the compact crossover SUV when it arrived for the 1997 model year. Despite the nameplate’s 25-year history, the public seems to still hold an affinity for the CR-V, which remains one of the best-selling SUVs today. Now, if only the CR-V were able to hold onto its catalytic converters as well as it has held onto its customer base. Alas, thieves love the CR-V for its reasonably easy to snag cat. While there are some products worth looking into that either help shield a car’s catalytic converter or bolt it more firmly to a vehicle (each with the intention of discouraging thievery), oftentimes the best advice is the simplest: park your car in a trusted and secured location.

During one of our early encounters with the then-new 2005 Chevrolet Equinox, we called it “a wonderfully people-friendly tall car packing a great list of standard equipment at an inviting price.” Over the years, the Equinox has continued to evolve, with the latest iteration of Chevy’s five-passenger SUV improving upon its forebear’s most consumer-friendly features. Apparently, those shopping for a roomy and reasonably priced compact SUV aren’t the only ones impressed by the Equinox. Its sixth-place ranking in this list gives the Chevy the dubious honor of residing one place ahead of one of its fiercest rivals the compact SUV segment.

Pickup trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado are great when it comes to towing and hauling, or traversing rugged terrain. Like other pickups in this list, the go-anywhere capability and extra ground clearance afforded by the Silverado means it's easier for crooks to slither under this full-size pickup and remove its catalytic converter. For 1999, the long-running Chevrolet C/K truck lineup passed the torch to the newly-introduced Silverado. Over the years, the Silverado has been available with a wide range of four-cylinder, inline-six, V-6, and V-8 engines. That variety is great for truck buyers. It’s also no less enticing to catalytic converter thieves.

Call it the work van that time forgot, or a practical workhorse that continues to tackle difficult tasks thrown its way. The Ford E-series van (also known as the Econoline) has been around in some form or another since Kennedy sat in the Oval Office. It’s still here, though only in fleet-special cutaway chassis form and in E-350 or E-450 configurations. Speaking of cutaways, once a catalytic converter is stolen how much is it actually worth? The NICB says a typical catalytic converter can fetch anywhere from “$50 to $250” apiece. That might not sound like much, but consider that a quick-working thief needs a few short minutes to remove one—a hard day’s work stealing catalytic converters can yield thousands of dollars in illicit profit.

Available strictly with relatively low-output four-cylinder engine options, the Jeep Patriot was never known for its straight-line speed. While we’ve called it “no joy ride,” the Patriot’s classic upright Jeep shape and low price proved an appealing combination to many consumers. Unfortunately, the little Jeep’s catalytic converters prove an appealing piece for thieves, with the Patriot taking the third spot in this nationwide list of vehicles targeted for their catalytic converters.

An extremely popular pickup truck is followed by an equally popular sedan. The Honda Accord has been one of the best-selling mid-size sedans for decades, not to mention a regular winner in our annual 10Best Cars and Trucks awards. While we’ve routinely complimented the Accord for its agile handling and fuel-efficient four-cylinder powertrain, thieves are more appreciative of the fact that stealing a catalytic converter takes only minutes when using a small reciprocating saw.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise the best-selling vehicle in North America is the one that’s most commonly targeted by crooks stealing catalytic converters. With millions of Ford F-series pickup trucks on the road, there’s no shortage of them sitting in garages or driveways around the country. One purely logistical reason the F-series is a common target is the simple fact that it sits higher off the road than a typical vehicle. This means it’s quicker and easier for a thief to slide under an F-series and remove the catalytic converter.