Seattle took on Kia and Hyundai.
Now protect what you drive.
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Seattle Police Department (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
In January 2023 the Seattle City Attorney sued Kia and Hyundai, after thefts of Kia vehicles in the city rose 363% and Hyundai thefts rose 503% between 2021 and 2022. The vehicles lacked engine immobilizers, and a viral method made them easy to start without a key.
Since then the trend has turned. The Seattle Police Department reported auto thefts down 24% in 2025, 1,821 fewer victims than the year before. SPD also reported 206 firearms stolen from vehicles in 2025, a reminder that a car break-in is rarely just about the car.
Steering locks and the Hyundai and Kia software update help. Titan goes a step further: when it's armed, the car won't start or move, with or without a key.
- 20239,260
- 20247,467
- 20255,822
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Seattle Police Department (data as of Sep 15, 2026)
What theft looks like in Seattle.
SPD's 2025 year in review reports auto theft down 24%, with 1,821 fewer victims than in 2024.
SPD recorded 206 guns stolen from vehicles in 2025. A car left with a firearm inside is a target for more than the car.
Kia thefts in Seattle rose 363% and Hyundai thefts 503% from 2021 to 2022, prompting the city's 2023 lawsuit against both automakers.
Source: City of Seattle, Jan 25, 2023
Seattle sits in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro, 10th in the nation for vehicle theft in 2025 with 12,684 vehicles stolen.
Is your car a likely target?
Four questions, checked against the most-stolen vehicle list for the U.S. and the theft methods we see most.
Most-stolen list: NICB, 2025 U.S. vehicle theft report
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.
Washington law applies in Seattle.
Prevention for every kind of owner.
Dealerships
Seattle-area dealers carry exactly the models thieves target. Titan arms inventory overnight and goes home with the buyer.
Titan for dealersDrivers & owners
Street parking in Capitol Hill or a garage in South Lake Union: if you can't watch the car, Titan keeps it from being driven away.
How drivers get TitanFleets & equipment
Delivery vans and service trucks parked on Seattle streets overnight are exposed. Titan blocks unauthorized starts and alerts on tamper.
Titan for fleetsRental operators
Car-share and rental units sit unattended between bookings. Titan arms them automatically between trips.
Titan for rentalNearby service areas.
Local help in Seattle.
Report a stolen vehicle to local police right away; your insurer will ask for the report number.
- Seattle Police Department, report a crime File a non-emergency stolen vehicle or car prowl report.
- Washington Auto Theft Prevention Authority Statewide prevention tips and task force funding.
- 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 Seattle: your questions.
Is car theft going down in Seattle?
Yes. SPD reported auto theft down 24% in 2025, 1,821 fewer victims than in 2024. FBI data for the Seattle Police Department shows 9,260 thefts in 2023, 7,467 in 2024 and 5,822 in 2025.
Why did Seattle sue Kia and Hyundai?
Thefts of Kia vehicles in Seattle rose 363% and Hyundai thefts rose 503% from 2021 to 2022. The city sued in January 2023, arguing the lack of engine immobilizers created a public safety hazard.
My Hyundai or Kia has the software update. Is it safe now?
The update closes the best-known method, and you should install it if you haven't (check your VIN on the NHTSA recall site). It doesn't stop key cloning, relay attacks or towing. Titan adds an independent block on the car moving.
What should I do if my car is stolen in Seattle?
Call 911 if you see it happening. Otherwise file a report with SPD, tell your insurer, and give police any tracking information you have. Remove firearms and valuables from your car whenever it's parked.
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…
They got the car back… but what happened in it?
When a vehicle is stolen, it’s not just property that goes missing. It’s peace of mind. It’s the comfort of knowing your loved ones are safe when they’re…
Stop theft in Seattle 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.