Cyberattack Leaves Thousands of U.S. Drivers Stranded, Unable to Start Vehicles

A significant cyberattack has disrupted a major U.S. vehicle breathalyzer service, leaving thousands of drivers unable to start their cars across the nation.

Intoxalock, a leading provider of ignition interlock devices, confirmed it experienced a cyberattack on March 14. The company announced on its website that it is “currently experiencing downtime” as a result. Intoxalock manufactures breathalyzer devices that integrate into vehicle ignition systems, requiring drivers to provide a negative alcohol breath sample before their cars can start.

System Shutdowns and Service Disruptions

Intoxalock spokesperson Rachael Larson told TechCrunch that the company implemented precautionary measures by temporarily pausing certain systems following the attack. The incident has created a critical problem: the company cannot perform the calibrations that these devices require every few months.

Without timely calibrations, drivers are experiencing vehicle lockouts. Reddit users and local news reports confirm that many vehicles cannot start if calibration deadlines are missed, effectively stranding owners.

Widespread Impact Across Multiple States

The disruption has affected drivers nationwide. Reports from Maine to Minnesota document lockouts and startup failures, with some vehicles remaining parked at auto shops for extended periods. One Middleboro auto repair facility told WCVB 5 Boston that it has had multiple cars sitting idle all week due to the outage.

Intoxalock’s technology operates in 46 states and serves approximately 150,000 drivers annually, meaning the impact is substantial.

Limited Information on the Attack

The company has remained vague about critical details of the cyberattack. Intoxalock has not disclosed whether the attack involved ransomware, a data breach, or ransom demands from the attackers. Additionally, the company has not provided an estimated recovery timeline, leaving affected drivers uncertain about when normal service will resume.