RunSafe Security, a pioneer in cyberhardening technology for embedded systems, has officially published the results from its latest report named 2025 Connected Car Cyber Safety & Security Index.
Going by tge available details, this particular report reveals that no more than one-in-five (19%) connected car drivers are very confident that their vehicle is protected from cyberattacks, whereas on the other hand, 76% express concern about cyberattacks causing accidents or putting their lives at risk.
More on the same would reveal how RunSafe’s exercise took into account the opinion of more than 2,000 connected car owners across the U.S., UK, and Germany, revealing drivers are increasingly aware of the cyber risks pitted against their vehicles. Not just that, they are also allowing those concerns to shape how and what they drive.
For instance, the results showcase that consumer awareness of connected car cybersecurity threats has outpaced automaker action, thus turning cybersecurity from a technical afterthought into a decisive factor in purchasing decisions.
This translates to how most drivers prioritize protecting their physical safety from cyberattacks over securing personal data stored in their vehicles. A contingent of 65% also displayed a belief that remote hacking of their car is possible, with driver anxiety fueled primarily by modern vehicles’ reliance on AI and a “supply web” of software providers.
“The reality is that automotive cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about preventing vehicles from becoming mobile weapons,” said Joe Saunders, Founder and CEO of RunSafe Security. “Drivers aren’t paranoid in their concerns. They’re recognizing that a compromised car can endanger lives, and the industry needs to respond with the same urgency we’d apply to any other life-safety system.”
Next up, the report found that an estimated 83% want automakers to disclose software sources, while 77% recognize third-party components as cybersecurity risks.
Another detail worth a mention is rooted in the opinion of 87% respondents who revealed strong cybersecurity influences buying decisions. Around 70% also put forth a tendency to consider buying older, less connected vehicles for the purpose of cutting down on cyber risk.
Hold on, we still have a few bits left to unpack, considering we haven’t yet touched upon how a staggering 85% of drivers would be more concerned about cybersecurity risks if outside companies manufactured AI features in their vehicles.
We also haven’t touched upon a group of 35% respondents which is ready to pay more for enhanced cybersecurity protection, turning security from a cost center into a revenue opportunity.
Rounding up highlights would be a piece of data claiming that 37% are open for switching to a different brand if their preferred vehicle were found to be vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Among other things, it ought to be acknowledged how these concerns, on drivers’ part, are also well-founded. An example relaying the same stems from a 2015 Jeep Cherokee hack, where researchers remotely disabled a vehicle’s brakes while traveling on a highway, affecting 1.4 million cars and triggering the largest automotive cybersecurity recall in history.
A more recent example involves an incident where researchers discovered the “PerfektBlue” Bluetooth vulnerability that exposed millions of vehicles to remote hacking, allowing attackers to unlock doors, start engines, and potentially access critical vehicle systems without physical contact.
“Connected cars have become computers on wheels, and with that transformation comes new risks that consumers increasingly recognize,” said Saunders. “Our research shows that cybersecurity is now an important consideration in the car-buying process. Automakers who invest in transparent, proactive security measures will capture a competitive advantage, while those who lag behind risk losing market share to competitors—or worse, driving customers to opt out of connected cars altogether.”
