Future Ford Vehicles Could Use Audio To Detect Catalytic Converter Theft

Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for an audio system designed to detect catalytic converter theft that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.

The patent was filed on December 21^st, 2023, published on September 9^th, 2025, and assigned serial number 12409807.

The Ford Authority Take

In recent years, criminals are targeting valuable individual parts rather than entire vehicles, with catalytic converters representing an easy and quick way to make a few bucks. In fact, the Ford F-Series line of pickups was recently tabbed as the most common target for this type of crime, which is why Ford has already published a patent for a parts theft detection system. Now, this newly published patent introduces us to an idea for an audio system designed to detect catalytic converter theft that may be used in future Ford vehicles, too.

This system would use audio to detect when someone may be attempting to steal a catalytic converter, specifically, which it would be able to do using specific audio signatures. After sorting out the possibility that the sound could be caused by something other than a person tampering with the vehicle, the system would then heighten the vehicle’s alert status. From there, the possibilities include notifying the owner that the vehicle may be in the process of being tampered with, or perhaps even authorities, depending on the circumstances.

“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”