- F-150 owners can help protect two areas: the catalytic converter (with a catalytic converter shield) and the taillights (with Miller CAT taillight screws).
- New: Miller CAT now has tail light screws available to help protect your vehicle. You can buy them on millercat.com.
- Miller CAT has partnered with Ford to design a catalytic converter shield that meets Ford's OEM (original equipment manufacturer) standards.
- Trucks and SUVs are frequent theft targets because of easy underbody access (Miller CAT).
- Converter theft is still in the news: Berkeley, California reported more than 300 thefts after three consecutive years of decline (City of Berkeley, October 2026).
- No product can guarantee against theft. Shields and screws make theft much harder and slower.
Why are F-150s a target for catalytic converter theft?
Ford F-150s are commonly ranked in the top 5 of vehicles with their converters stolen, for three reasons: high resale value, easy access and unprotected owners. F150 converters contain a significant amount of precious metals compared to other vehicles, so thieves see a high resale value. And a majority of F150 owners are unaware of the threat or ways to protect themselves.
The Ford F-150 is one of the top-selling vehicles, so you see them everywhere: on job sites and fleet routes, and in driveways and parking lots. Don't assume yours is not a target because it is common or because it is a work truck or a family truck.
Is catalytic converter theft still a problem in 2026?
Yes. After three consecutive years of decline, catalytic converter thefts are rising again. Recently, City of Berkeley in Berkeley, California reported more than 300 in the city so far this year (City of Berkeley, October 2026).
Lawmakers are responding. Local 12 reported in October 2026 that catalytic converter theft is now a felony in Ohio, a move aimed at curbing a crime that has left thousands of vehicle owners facing costly repairs.
How does a catalytic converter shield help protect an F-150?
A catalytic converter shield is a carefully designed and engineered barrier that protects your F-150's converter and limits the underbody access thieves rely on. It makes theft much harder and slower, but no product can guarantee against theft.
A shield is also cheaper than the alternative. See How a Catalytic Converter Shield saves you money and The True Cost of Catalytic Converter Replacement for the numbers. Is there a Ford-partnered catalytic converter shield for the F-150? Yes. Miller CAT has partnered with Ford to design a catalytic converter shield that meets Ford's OEM standards. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, meaning the standards Ford sets for its own parts. For you, that means a shield designed with Ford's requirements in mind. It still makes theft much harder and slower rather than guaranteeing against it.
What about Ford truck taillight theft? Miller CAT tail light screws are now available
Taillights are the other well-known weak spot on Ford trucks. Thieves take them because of what is inside. Some Ford trucks come with advanced rear taillights that house blind spot monitoring systems (sensors that warn you about vehicles in the lane beside you). Those lights are worth thousands of dollars, which makes them a valuable target. A stolen pair leaves you with a costly repair and a truck that has lost a safety feature.
Miller CAT now has tail light screws available to help protect your vehicle. They are built to make removal harder and slower, and you can buy them today on millercat.com. Our post Ford Truck Tail Light Theft: Why Miller CAT's Security Screws Are the Best Solution explains how they work.
F-150 protection at a glance
| Risk | What it protects | Miller CAT product |
|---|---|---|
| Catalytic converter theft | Your exhaust and converter | Catalytic converter shield (Cat Shield) |
| Taillight theft | Your taillights | Security screws |
Free ways to add protection today
- Park in a locked garage or a well-lit area with foot traffic. See our 8 Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Tips.
- Report every theft. It helps police spot hotspots.
Read Common Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Tips That Don't Actually Work before you rely on any single tip.
