Renault UK customers are facing a new wave of anxiety as the automaker confirmed in early October 2025 that a cyberattack on a third-party data processing provider led to the theft of sensitive personal information. The breach, which also affects owners and customers of Dacia vehicles—a brand under Renault’s umbrella—has underscored the growing risks facing the automotive industry as hackers increasingly target supply chains and external vendors.
According to multiple statements from Renault UK and reports by BBC, The Register, and Hackread.com, the compromised data includes names, postal and email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, gender, vehicle registration numbers, and Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). Notably, Renault UK has reassured customers that no financial data—such as bank account or card details—or passwords were affected, as this information was not held by the breached provider.
"Your data was included, which means the attackers have access to some or all of the following information," read an email sent to affected customers and seen by The Register. The letter went on to specify the types of data at risk and emphasized that Renault’s own systems had not been compromised. Adam Wood, CEO of Renault UK, tried to allay fears by stating, "None of our own systems have been compromised. The stolen data came from a third-party supplier, not Renault's systems."
The company has not disclosed the exact number of customers affected, citing ongoing security reasons. However, the pool of victims may be broader than just recent car buyers. As BBC noted, those who entered competitions or shared data with Renault UK without purchasing a vehicle could also be among those whose personal details were exposed. Owners of Dacia vehicles have received similar warnings, further widening the scope of the breach.
Renault UK has taken several steps in response to the incident. The company says the breach was isolated and has since been contained, with the third-party provider now undertaking “all appropriate actions” to prevent further issues. “We are working with it to ensure that all appropriate actions are being taken,” a Renault UK spokesperson told Autocar. The automaker has also notified all relevant authorities, including regulators such as the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is now making enquiries into the incident.
All affected customers are being contacted directly. The firm is advising them to remain vigilant against unsolicited requests for personal information and reiterating that Renault UK will never ask for passwords or other sensitive credentials via email or phone. Concerned individuals are being directed to Renault’s data privacy page or its Data Protection Officer for further guidance. “We wish to apologise to all affected customers. Data privacy is of the utmost importance to us and we deeply regret that this has occurred,” the company stated in its official communications.
While Renault UK insists that its own internal systems remain uncompromised, the breach highlights a troubling trend in the automotive sector. In recent months, several major carmakers and suppliers have fallen victim to cyberattacks—often through third-party vendors, which can be the weakest link in a company’s digital defenses. As Hackread.com points out, such supply-chain attacks are on the rise, with hackers exploiting vulnerabilities in external partners to gain access to larger organizations’ data troves.
This latest incident comes hot on the heels of a series of high-profile cyberattacks targeting the automotive industry and beyond. In September 2025, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) suffered a devastating cyberattack that forced the company to halt production lines and shut down global systems. According to BBC and The Independent, JLR is only now beginning to restart some operations, more than a month after the attack. The disruption was so severe that the UK government stepped in with a £1.5 billion loan to help the company recover.
Stellantis, the parent company of brands like Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Maserati, and Peugeot, also recently disclosed a supplier breach that exposed customer contact data, though—like Renault—financial information was not compromised. Meanwhile, other sectors have not been spared: beer giant Asahi, high street retailer Marks and Spencer, and nursery group Kido Schools have all faced significant data breaches in the past few months.
The Renault breach serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing companies that rely on complex networks of vendors and partners to handle customer information. While outsourcing certain operations can bring efficiencies, it also introduces new risks. As The Register notes, "even if your bank details are safe, the rest of your personal data is often just one supplier compromise away from exposure."
Regulators are now taking a closer look. The ICO has confirmed that Renault UK has reported the breach and that it is making enquiries. For customers, the immediate risk is not direct financial theft, but rather the possibility of phishing attempts, scams, or identity theft using the stolen data. Renault UK is urging everyone affected to be wary of unsolicited contacts and to never share passwords or sensitive information online or over the phone.
For the automotive sector as a whole, the Renault incident is yet another wake-up call. The sheer volume of personal data collected during sales, servicing, and financing makes carmakers a tempting target for cybercriminals. As attacks become more sophisticated and frequent, companies are under increasing pressure to not only secure their own systems but also ensure that their partners and suppliers adhere to the highest standards of cybersecurity.
As the fallout from this breach continues, Renault UK’s customers are left hoping that their data does not end up circulating in dark web marketplaces or fueling new waves of scams. The company’s swift response and transparency have been welcomed, but the incident underscores just how vulnerable even the most established brands can be in today’s interconnected digital landscape.
With regulators on alert and other industries facing similar threats, the Renault breach is likely to fuel ongoing debates about data privacy, third-party risk management, and the responsibilities of companies to their customers in an age of relentless cyberattacks.
