Automotive Fleet
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Malfunction Fears May Haunt Self-Driving Cars

Manufacturers of autonomous vehicles will ultimately need to overcome lingering consumer concerns about potential software and hardware failures, a survey finds.

by Staff
October 4, 2017
Malfunction Fears May Haunt Self-Driving Cars

Developers of autonomous driving systems still face the challenge of winning the public's trust in the evolving technology. Photo courtesy of Waymo.

2 min to read


Developers of autonomous driving systems still face the challenge of winning the public's trust in the evolving technology. Photo courtesy of Waymo.

In a recent survey assessing American attitudes about autonomous vehicles, 84% of respondents expressed concerns about potential vehicle software malfunctions and 80% said they worry about possible hardware failure.

Ad Loading...

The survey, conducted by research firm AlixPartners, included 1,567 American consumers who own or operate a passenger car or light truck. The survey was administered between July 27 and Aug. 2 of this year.

Ad Loading...

Survey results also underscore Americans’ ongoing anxiety over threats to cybersecurity. A total of 77% of those questioned said they have concerns about self-driving cars being hacked and taken over, and 75% said they would worry about having their personal data stolen from an autonomous vehicle.

When asked who they would trust most to protect their data privacy in a self-driving car, 50% said tech companies — compared to just 14% who said auto companies. When asked who they trusted most to protect their vehicle from hacking, 62% said tech companies while 8% said auto companies. Ride-hailing companies, such as Uber and Lyft, placed a far-distant third in trust for both questions — just 1% for each.

While 79% said they trust traditional automakers most to design and develop autonomous vehicle hardware, only 10% said they trust automakers most with the software side. But 78% said they trust tech companies most to design and develop AV software. Just 10% said they trust tech companies most for designing and building vehicles.

Nearly half of those surveyed (49%) said they don’t currently feel confident in the ability of autonomous vehicles to navigate them safely. A total of 55% said they’re unlikely to consider purchasing a self-driving car. Additionally, just 29% of consumers said they’d be willing to consider buying an autonomous vehicle and to pay an incremental $2,600 on average for the privilege.

“When it comes to autonomous vehicles, traditional auto companies and suppliers have a big, two-front battle ahead of them: educating the consumer about AVs and figuring out how to compete in the software end with highly advantaged tech companies – or partner with them when that makes more sense,” said Mark Wakefield, global co-head of the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners. “Either way, traditional auto will have to undertake massive operational and organizational changes to afford the autonomous-vehicle investments, be successful with partnerships and not get left out of the profitable parts of the new automotive ecosystem.”

More Safety

Safe Driving on Halloween over spooky fall road
Safety•by Staff•October 25, 2026

Tips for Driving Safely on Halloween Night

This video features a reminder from the Connecticut Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, urging drivers to prioritize safety this Halloween.

Read More →
a crash test dummy in a car
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 22, 2026

IIHS Crash Avoidance Tests Reveal Safety Gaps in Cargo Vans and Work Trucks

New IIHS crash avoidance ratings show uneven performance among cargo vans and heavy-duty pickups, with most struggling to avoid vehicle-to-vehicle collisions.

Read More →
AN AF news recap thumbnail
Safety•by Faith Howell•October 16, 2026

What’s Next for Fleet? Safety, AI & Industry Recognition | AF News Recap

Could your company's culture be encouraging distracted driving? This week, we're exploring how workplace expectations affect driver safety, what AI, EVs, and autonomous vehicles could mean for the future of fleet management, and how fleet professionals can strengthen their award nominations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
a man driving with a cell phone in his hand.
Safety•by Jeanny Abraham•October 14, 2026

Does Your Fleet's Culture Encourage Distracted Driving?

What happens when the people responsible for enforcing safety rules are the ones setting the wrong example? The answer may reveal why some of the biggest risks to fleet drivers have little to do with what's written in the employee handbook.

Read More →
Motorq Whitepaper Cover - Fleet Managers Ultimate Playbook
Sponsored•October 1, 2026

Fleet Manager’s Ultimate Playbook: Navigating the New Standard in OEM Connectivity

Rising operating costs, driver safety concerns, and unplanned downtime are putting unprecedented pressure on modern fleets. Discover how fleet managers use embedded OEM connectivity and real-time vehicle data to cut TCO, prevent downtime, and protect drivers without aftermarket telematics hardware.

Read More →
An AF news recap thumbnail with a woman pointing at the title "From driver well-being to EV charging"
Safety•by Faith Howell•September 21, 2026

From Driver Well-Being to EV Charging | AF News Recap

Mental health belongs in the fleet safety conversation. This week, we’re looking at five ways fleets can support employee well-being before a crisis, plus Holman’s expansion in Mexico, new one-day Fleet Forward passes, and why EV charging demand is outpacing infrastructure growth.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Nexar and nauto logos
Safety•by Staff•September 15, 2026

Nexar-Nauto Merger Aims to Give Fleets Better Safety Intelligence Through Larger Driving Dataset

Stefan Heck tells Automotive Fleet that combining more than 10 billion miles of driving history with Nexar's AI models will give fleets deeper insights into driver risk and roadway conditions than either company could provide independently.

Read More →
Two fleet employees talk beside work trucks beneath the words “Mental Health Is Fleet Safety,” highlighting the connection between employee mental health and fleet safety.
Safety•September 15, 2026

Don't Wait for a Crisis: 5 Ways to Build Mental Health Into Your Fleet Safety Program

For Suicide Prevention Month, fleet and safety leaders have an opportunity to put mental health where it belongs: at the center of workplace safety.

Read More →
hands covering toy car with digital widgets surrounding it
Safety•by Chris Brown•September 1, 2026

How Camera Data Can Strengthen a Fleet’s Insurance Renewal

Insights from a commercial insurance carrier and a broker show how fleets can turn video telematic data, driver coaching, and improved claims results into a stronger case at insurance renewal.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
An image to reflect an article on how the safest fleets aren't the ones with the most tech.
Safety•August 11, 2026

The Safest Fleets Aren’t the Ones with the Most Technology

You’ve made the telematics investment. Here’s how to capture the other half of its value and build the safest fleet on the road.

Read More →