RunSafe Security, a leader in cyberhardening solutions for embedded systems, has released its 2025 Connected Car Cyber Safety & Security Index at the ADAS & Autonomous Vehicle Technology Summit North America. The study paints a stark picture of consumer sentiment: fewer than one in five connected car drivers (19%) feel confident their vehicles are safe from cyberattacks, while an overwhelming 76% worry such attacks could lead to accidents or threaten lives.

Growing Awareness Outpaces Automaker Action

RunSafe’s research, based on a survey of 2,000 connected car owners across the U.S., UK, and Germany, shows that consumers are increasingly alert to the cybersecurity risks of modern vehicles. In fact, security concerns are now influencing both driving behavior and purchasing decisions.

The findings indicate that consumer awareness of vehicle cybersecurity has advanced more quickly than industry safeguards, pushing automakers to confront cybersecurity as a factor that could define competitiveness in the marketplace.

Cyber Technology Insights : CyberArk Helps Optiv Transform Workforce Access, Applying Privilege Controls to Every Identity

Key Findings from the 2025 Index

  • Life and safety first – 79% of drivers place greater importance on protecting themselves from cyber-related accidents than on safeguarding personal data stored in their cars.
  • Remote hacking fears – 65% of respondents believe their vehicles could be hacked remotely, a concern tied to growing reliance on AI systems and complex software supply chains.
  • Demand for transparency – 83% want automakers to disclose software sources, while 77% identify third-party components as a major security risk.
  • Buying decisions driven by security – 87% say strong cybersecurity influences their purchasing choices, with 35% willing to pay more for enhanced protection.
  • Avoidance behavior – 70% would consider purchasing older, less-connected vehicles to lower cyber risk.
  • AI-related anxiety – 85% express greater concern if external vendors supply AI features for their cars.
  • Brand loyalty on the line – 37% would switch automakers if their preferred brand were found vulnerable to cyberattacks.

Cyber Technology Insights : Gigamon Visualyze Bootcamp 2025: Unravel Hybrid Cloud with Deep Observability and AI

Industry Implications

“Cars have essentially become computers on wheels, and that shift brings new risks that consumers clearly recognize,” said Joe Saunders, Founder and CEO of RunSafe Security. “Cybersecurity is no longer a back-end issue—it’s a front-and-center factor in the car-buying process. Automakers that prioritize transparency and proactive protections will gain an advantage, while those that don’t could lose customers to competitors or even push them away from connected cars altogether.”

Real-World Incidents Validate Concerns

Consumer fears are not unfounded. The 2015 Jeep Cherokee hack, in which researchers remotely disabled a vehicle’s brakes on a highway, remains one of the most infamous incidents, ultimately prompting a recall of 1.4 million vehicles. More recently, the “PerfektBlue” Bluetooth vulnerability exposed millions of cars to remote attacks, giving hackers potential access to door locks, ignition systems, and critical controls—without ever touching the vehicle.

Saunders emphasized the life-or-death nature of these risks: “Automotive cybersecurity isn’t just about data protection. It’s about preventing vehicles from being weaponized. Drivers are right to be concerned, and the industry must act with urgency, just as we would with any other life-safety system.”

Cyber Technology Insights : DTEX Names Mike Price CRO to Drive Global Growth in AI-Powered Insider Risk and Data Security

To participate in our interviews, please write to our CyberTech Media Room at sudipto@intentamplify.com