Systems and methods for detecting tampering with a catalytic converter by using a catalytic converter sensor located outside of the exhaust system that is configured to sense vibrations from vehicle exhaust components and output that to a catalytic converter module. The catalytic converter module activates an alarm system if at least one vibration exceeds a vibration threshold for an amount of time that exceeds a duration threshold. The alarm system may include any combination of activating the integrated vehicle alarm module, an external catalytic converter alarm module, or transmitting a wireless alert to a server or user devices.