Went out and started our 2004 accord ex this morning, and it sounded like someone had stolen the cat/muffler Pulled it into the driveway and pulled the P0141 O2 sensor code. So does this mean the catalytic converter spontaneously died?

 

More info: the exhaust was completely normal when I parked it, and the car has 55k miles on it. First sign of the P0141 code, too!

 

Put the car up on jackstands today...There is a large gap in the exhaust system where the cat used to be! So the thief got 2 cats that night: mine, and the one off the neighbor's Prius. Looks like a battery-powered sawzall job. Tight squeeze! I have a '99 Prerunner that a sumo guy could get under, easily. The guys at the TacomaWorld forums who were losing cats resorted to welding up a shield over the pipes. Bummer! this is getting costly...

 

Ordered all parts necessary to get back on the road: $530...I will be doing the work myself. Without tools or the skills, expect cost to be another $1k. Manufacturers need to armor up!

 

Your insurance will cover it.
We get at least 1 stolen cat vehicle in a month. Insurance always covers them.(some are repeat victims)

 

I only have collision on the Honda...Neighbor whose Prius cat was stolen the same night: $3000 dealer repair. She, fortunately, has comprehensive!