Real-World Events That Changed the Industry: Jeep, Tesla, BMW Hacks

The car hacks that reshaped the auto industry:

A Decade of Incidents That Forced the World to Take Vehicle Cybersecurity Seriously

For years, the auto industry assumed cybersecurity risks were theoretical—problems for the future. That changed abruptly over the last decade, as a series of real-world incidents exposed weaknesses in connected cars, telematics systems, supply chains, and cloud infrastructures supporting millions of vehicles.

Unlike speculative forecasts, the incidents below are confirmed, publicly documented, and independently reported. Each case pushed regulators and automakers toward new cybersecurity standards, including UNR 155 and ISO/SAE 21434.

This is the factual timeline of the hacks that reshaped the automotive sector.

1. The 2015 Jeep Cherokee Hack — The Industry’s Wake-Up Call

In July 2015, Wired published a landmark investigation showing how security researchers Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek remotely took control of a Jeep Cherokee via its Uconnect infotainment system.

Through a vulnerability in the vehicle’s cellular-connected head unit, the researchers were able to:

  • Kill the engine
  • Manipulate steering (under certain conditions)
  • Activate brakes
  • Control wipers and audio

Impact:

  • Chrysler recalled 1.4 million vehicles, the first cybersecurity-related recall in automotive history.

This incident directly influenced regulatory momentum and convinced OEMs that connected vehicle systems represented real cyber-physical risk.

2. Nissan LEAF Remote Control Vulnerability (2016)

In 2016, security researcher Troy Hunt exposed an API flaw allowing remote access to climate control and battery data on the Nissan LEAF using only the vehicle’s VIN.
Source:
https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-35642749

Although the vulnerability did not allow control of driving functions, the case demonstrated:

  • API security weaknesses in connected car apps
  • Privacy risks related to telematics endpoints
  • The industry’s lack of authentication standards

Nissan disabled the affected APIs within days.

3. Tesla Software Vulnerabilities: 2016–2020 Series of Confirmed Incidents

Multiple teams of researchers have responsibly disclosed vulnerabilities in Tesla vehicles. Examples include:

2016 — Tencent Keen Labs Remote Control Demonstration

Researchers demonstrated attacks affecting braking, dashboard displays, and remote unlock functions.

2019 — Tesla Model 3 Hack at Pwn2Own

Security researchers exploited a JIT (just-in-time) compiler vulnerability in the browser, earning Tesla’s bug bounty reward.

2020 — Bluetooth-based key fob relay weakness

Researchers at KU Leuven demonstrated a relay attack enabling unauthorized vehicle entry.

Tesla’s rapid OTA patching capability is often cited as an example of SDV-era security responsiveness.

4. Toyota Data Breaches (2022–2023)

In 2022 and 2023, Toyota disclosed multiple security issues involving customer and vehicle data due to misconfigured cloud services.

Japan (May 2023)

Toyota confirmed that data of over 2 million customers had been accessible for almost a decade due to a cloud misconfiguration.
Reuters coverage:
https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/toyota-says-vehicle-location-data-exposed-over-decade-2023-05-12/

Europe (October 2022)

Toyota supplier breach led to production shutdowns after a cyberattack hit Kojima Industries, a key OEM supplier.

These incidents show that automotive cybersecurity is not limited to the vehicle — supply chains and cloud infrastructures are equally critical.

5. Kia & Hyundai Theft Epidemic (2021–2023) — A CAN Bus Security Failure

Between 2021 and 2023, a vulnerability in Kia and Hyundai vehicles allowed thieves to bypass the ignition system using basic tools—a result of lacking immobilizers in certain models. The issue escalated into a national crisis in the U.S.

Key facts:

  • Cities including Milwaukee, Chicago, and Minneapolis reported massive spikes in thefts.
  • The vulnerability became known after viral social media videos demonstrated the method.
  • Multiple insurers temporarily refused to insure affected models.
    Coverage via Associated Press:

Although not a remote hack, this incident involved weaknesses in electronic security systems and became one of the most widespread automotive security failures in the U.S. market.

6. Honda “Rolling-PWN” Vulnerability (2022)

In 2022, researchers disclosed a replay-attack vulnerability affecting Honda key fobs, enabling attackers to unlock certain models by capturing and replaying signals.

Honda acknowledged the flaw but stated that practical impact was limited due to proximity constraints.

7. MOVEit Breach Impacting Automotive Suppliers (2023–2024)

The MOVEit zero-day exploit affected companies across multiple sectors, including major automotive suppliers and logistics partners.

This event highlighted a critical reality: A vulnerability in a third-party file transfer system can create downstream risk across the automotive ecosystem.

OEMs increasingly recognize that cybersecurity must cover not only ECUs and networks—but also their entire digital supply chain.

8. Lessons the Industry Can No Longer Ignore

Across these incidents, several patterns have become impossible to dismiss:

A. The attack surface is no longer theoretical

Infotainment, telematics, APIs, cloud environments, mobile apps, keyless entry systems, and supply-chain software all introduce risk.

B. OTA updates transform cybersecurity expectations

Tesla’s patching model reset industry standards. OEMs without OTA capabilities face longer exposure windows.

C. Regulations are now reactive to real failures

UNR 155 emerged in direct response to incidents like Jeep 2015.

D. Cybersecurity is a lifecycle issue, not a product feature

From manufacturing to decommissioning, every stage contains unique vulnerabilities.

E. Telematics is part of the cybersecurity perimeter

If a telematics device, API, or mobile app is compromised, attackers get a remote entry point.

Conclusion: A Decade Defined by Proof, Not Prediction

The past decade’s incidents were not theoretical warnings—they were live demonstrations of what happens when cybersecurity is not treated as a core engineering discipline.

Every breach, every recall, every regulatory action has pushed the industry toward the same conclusion:

Connected vehicles must be secured with the same seriousness as any other critical infrastructure system.

The next decade will belong to companies – and regulators – that understand this reality early.

By x18 Editorial