Jacksonville handed out wheel locks.
Thieves adapted.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
Jacksonville felt the Kia and Hyundai theft wave hard. In one week of July 2023, half of the vehicles reported stolen in the city were made by the two brands. By late June 2024, JSO counted about 1,200 Kia and Hyundai thefts that year and began handing out free steering wheel locks.
The trend has turned since. FBI data for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office shows 3,312 thefts in 2023, 3,461 in 2024 and 2,036 in 2025. Statewide, NICB reported Florida's thefts down 29% in 2025.
A steering lock is a deterrent you can see; a thief with a cutting tool can remove it. Titan is the layer they can't see: when it's armed, the vehicle won't start or move, whatever the thief brings.
- 20233,312
- 20243,461
- 20252,036
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
What theft looks like in Jacksonville.
Half of the vehicles reported stolen in Jacksonville in one week of July 2023 were Hyundai or Kia models.
Source: News4JAX, July 28, 2023
By late June 2024 JSO had recorded about 1,200 Kia and Hyundai thefts that year, and began offering owners free steering wheel locks.
Source: News4JAX, June 27, 2024
Hyundai and Kia offered a free software update and steering locks to owners of vehicles without engine immobilizers.
Florida had the 4th-most vehicle thefts of any state in 2025 (27,142), down 29%.
Is your car a likely target?
Four questions, checked against the most-stolen vehicle list for Florida and the theft methods we see most.
Most-stolen list: NICB data via ClickOrlando, April 2025
Answer the four questions to see which known theft risk factors apply to your vehicle. Nothing is stored or sent.
What one theft costs you.
Insurance rarely makes you whole. Put in your own numbers to see the out-of-pocket cost of a single theft.
Starting values are examples. Replace them with your own; check your policy for rental reimbursement and personal-property limits.
Your cost of one theft
Before any premium change at renewal, which varies by insurer and state.
Florida law applies in Jacksonville.
Prevention for every kind of owner.
Dealerships
Jacksonville dealers sell the models the 2023–24 wave targeted. Titan protects inventory and adds value at sale.
Titan for dealersDrivers & owners
Got a Kia or Hyundai in Jacksonville? Update the software and add a layer that stops the car moving even if the lock is cut.
How drivers get TitanFleets & equipment
Jacksonville's port and logistics fleets park in large yards overnight. Titan stops unauthorized starts on trucks and equipment.
Titan for fleetsRental operators
Navy-base and airport rentals sit unattended between bookings. Titan arms units automatically.
Titan for rentalNearby service areas.
Local help in Jacksonville.
Report a stolen vehicle to local police right away; your insurer will ask for the report number.
- Jacksonville Sheriff's Office Report a stolen vehicle and find JSO prevention programs.
- Florida Statutes 627.0653 Your right to an anti-theft discount on comprehensive coverage.
- NICB VINCheck Free check of whether a VIN has been reported stolen or salvaged before you buy.
- NHTSA recall lookup Check a VIN for open recalls, including the Hyundai and Kia anti-theft software update.
Vehicle theft in Jacksonville: your questions.
How many cars are stolen in Jacksonville?
FBI data for the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office shows 3,312 vehicle thefts in 2023, 3,461 in 2024 and 2,036 in 2025.
Does JSO give out free steering wheel locks?
JSO offered free steering wheel locks to Hyundai and Kia owners in June 2024 during the theft surge. Check with JSO for current availability.
Is a steering wheel lock enough?
It deters casual theft, but a determined thief can cut it off. Combine it with the manufacturer's software update and a device that stops the engine starting.
Will my insurer give me a discount for Titan in Florida?
Florida law requires insurers to include a discount for anti-theft devices on comprehensive coverage. The amount varies, so ask your insurer.
Further reading.
Your Car Can Be Stolen in Under 60 Seconds — Here’s How to Stop It
Car thieves are faster and more sophisticated than ever—many can steal a vehicle in under 60 seconds using high-tech tools and relay attacks. Standard…
GPS Tracking Is Useless If Your Car’s Already Gone
Relying on GPS tracking alone to recover stolen vehicles? Think again. By the time thieves disable the system or move your car to a hidden location, it’s…
The Hidden Price of Auto Theft
Every 32 seconds, a vehicle is stolen in the U.S. While insurance might cover the headline loss, what most drivers don’t realize is how deeply auto theft…
The Dealership Advantage: How Forward-Thinking Dealers Are Ending Vehicle Theft for Good
Car thieves are getting smarter, and unfortunately, many dealership anti-theft systems aren’t keeping up. Outdated security measures leave vehicles…
Stop theft in Jacksonville before it starts.
Titan keeps the vehicle from moving, key or no key, and alerts you when someone tries. Tell us what you protect and we'll take it from there.