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Cyberattacks on auto suppliers can trigger major liability for OEMs

A Munich Re and TÜV SÜD report estimates availability-driven losses of $7.5 million to $60 million in a March 2026 U.S. breathalyzer-provider incident.

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Connected and software-defined vehicles are turning automotive cyber risk into a wider ecosystem liability issue, according to a joint report from Munich Re and TÜV SÜD.

The report points to a March 2026 incident involving a U.S. breathalyzer technology provider, where a cyberattack disrupted ignition interlock systems without hacking vehicles directly but still immobilized large numbers of users.

Based on publicly available information, the report estimates 15,000 to 30,000 vehicles were directly affected out of roughly 150,000 users, with per-vehicle losses of $500 to $2,000 depending on duration and usage type.

It further projects aggregated availability-driven losses of $7.5 million to $60 million, while potential class-action litigation exposure could exceed $100 million depending on participation and settlement dynamics, and it says incident response, remediation, and reputational costs could reach tens of millions of dollars.

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