What your car collects and sends

Modern cars are computers on wheels. Most vehicles made in the last five years collect data about where you drive, how fast you drive, when you brake hard, whether your seatbelt is fastened, and sometimes audio from inside the cabin. Some send this data to the manufacturer, your insurance company, or both.

The data flows in two directions. Your car receives software updates, navigation maps, and entertainment content. It also receives commands—some from you through your phone, some from the manufacturer for diagnostics or recalls. A connected car is always listening for these signals, which means it is always connected to networks outside your control.

You do not have to own a luxury vehicle for this to happen. Mainstream brands like Ford, Chevrolet, Honda, and Toyota all collect driving data through their built-in systems. Even if you do not subscribe to a manufacturer's connected services, the car may still collect data locally and upload it when you connect to WiFi or a phone hotspot.

Key Takeaways

  • Most new cars collect location, speed, braking, and cabin audio data, and send it to the manufacturer or insurance company without asking permission each time.
  • You can usually disable some data collection through the vehicle settings menu, but the car will still collect safety-critical data like airbag deployment and crash information.
  • Insurance companies use connected car data to adjust your rates, and some programs require you to install a separate tracking device to get a discount.
  • Buying an older used car or choosing a vehicle with fewer connected features is the only way to avoid data collection entirely.
  • Your phone's location is often more precise than your car's, so disconnecting your phone from the car's Bluetooth can reduce the amount of location data the manufacturer receives.

Where your location data goes

Your car knows where it is. GPS receivers are standard equipment, and the car uses that location for navigation, emergency services (if you call 911), and roadside information. The manufacturer also uses it to send you location-based offers—a notification that a gas station or restaurant is nearby, for example.

Location data is valuable. Insurance companies use it to verify you are not driving in high-risk areas at high-risk times. Manufacturers use it to understand traffic patterns and improve navigation systems. Some sell anonymized location data to traffic analysis companies. The terms of service usually permit this, but most people do not read the terms before they drive off the lot.

You can usually turn off location sharing in the vehicle's settings menu. Look for options labeled "Location Services," "Connected Services," or "Data Sharing." Turning these off will disable some features—your car will not send you location-based offers, and roadside information may take longer because the dispatcher will not know exactly where you are. Emergency 911 calls may also be delayed if the dispatcher cannot pinpoint your location automatically.

If you pair your phone to the car's Bluetooth system, the car gains access to your phone's location data, which is often more precise than the car's own GPS. Unpair your phone or use a phone holder without Bluetooth to reduce this. You will still have navigation and music, but the manufacturer will not receive your phone's location.

How insurance companies use connected car data

Some insurance companies offer discounts if you let them monitor your driving through a connected car system or a separate plug-in device. These programs track speed, hard braking, rapid acceleration, and the time of day you drive. The discount can range from 10 to 30 percent, depending on the insurer and your driving habits.

The trade-off is clear: you get a lower rate, and the insurance company gets detailed information about your behavior. If you drive mostly at night, brake hard frequently, or speed, your rate may go up instead of down. Some people find the discount worth it. Others prefer to pay full price and keep their driving data private.

You are not required to use an insurance company's monitoring program. You can decline it and pay standard rates. If you already have a monitoring device installed and want to remove it, contact your insurance company—they will tell you how to unplug it and whether your rate will return to standard pricing.

Insurance companies can also request data directly from your car's manufacturer if you are in an accident. This data helps them investigate the claim, but it also means your speed, braking, and steering input at the moment of impact become part of the insurance record.

What you can control in your vehicle's settings

Most cars have a settings menu accessible through the dashboard screen or a physical button. Look for sections labeled "Privacy," "Data," "Connected Services," or "Connectivity." The exact names vary by manufacturer.

Common settings you can usually change:

  • Location sharing: Turn off to prevent the manufacturer from receiving your GPS coordinates. This disables some features like location-based offers and may slow emergency response.
  • Diagnostic data: Turn off to prevent the car from sending information about engine performance, fuel efficiency, and maintenance needs. The car will still collect this data locally for your mechanic to read.
  • Voice recording: Some cars record audio inside the cabin for voice commands. You can usually disable this, though voice-activated features will not work.
  • WiFi and Bluetooth auto-connect: Turn off to prevent the car from automatically connecting to networks and devices. You can still manually connect when you choose.
  • Personalization: Turn off to prevent the car from storing your preferences, favorite radio stations, and seat positions. This data is usually stored locally, not sent to the manufacturer.

Some data cannot be turned off. Safety-critical information like airbag deployment, crash detection, and seatbelt status is always collected and may be sent to emergency services or the manufacturer for recall investigations. This is by design—the data helps engineers understand what went wrong and prevent future crashes.

Older cars versus new cars

A car built before 2015 is unlikely to have built-in connectivity. It will not collect location data, send diagnostics to the manufacturer, or receive over-the-air updates. If you want to avoid data collection entirely, buying a used car from this era is the most direct route.

The trade-off is real. Older cars lack modern safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping information. They are more likely to need repairs. Navigation requires a separate GPS device or your phone. You will not receive alerts about recalls or maintenance needs.

Cars built between 2015 and 2020 vary widely. Some have minimal connectivity; others are fully connected. Check the manufacturer's website or the vehicle's manual before you buy. Look for terms like "OnStar," "FordPass," "HondaLink," or "Toyota Connected Services"—these indicate the car has active connectivity.

New cars (2020 and later) are almost always connected. Disconnecting them from the internet is difficult or impossible without disabling features you may rely on, like emergency information and software updates.

What happens when you sell or trade in your car

When you trade in or sell a car, the manufacturer's account is usually still linked to the vehicle. You should remove your personal information before handing over the keys. This means deleting saved addresses, phone contacts, and payment information from the car's system.

Look for a "Factory Reset" or "Clear Personal Data" option in the settings menu. If you cannot find it, contact the manufacturer's customer service line—they can walk you through it or do it remotely. Some dealerships will do this as part of the trade-in process, but do not assume they will.

Location history and driving data are usually stored on the manufacturer's servers, not in the car itself. When you delete your account or unlink the vehicle, the manufacturer typically stops collecting new data, but they may keep the historical data they already have. Check the privacy policy or contact customer service to understand what happens to data you have already generated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I disable all data collection in my car?

No. Safety-critical data like crash detection and airbag deployment cannot be disabled—it is collected automatically. You can disable location sharing, diagnostic uploads, and voice recording through the settings menu, but the car will still collect this data locally. The only way to avoid all data collection is to drive a car without connectivity features, typically a vehicle made before 2015.

Does my car collect data if I do not subscribe to the manufacturer's services?

Yes. Many cars collect data locally and upload it when they connect to WiFi or your phone's hotspot, even if you have not paid for a subscription. Check your vehicle's privacy policy or contact the manufacturer to understand what data is collected and where it goes. You can usually disable uploads through the settings menu.

What should I do if I do not want an insurance company tracking my driving?

You do not have to use an insurance company's monitoring program. You can decline it and pay standard rates. If you already have a device installed and want to remove it, contact your insurance company for instructions. Removing the device will not affect your coverage, but your rate will return to standard pricing.

Is my car's data encrypted when it is sent to the manufacturer?

Most manufacturers encrypt data in transit, but encryption standards vary. Check the manufacturer's privacy policy or security documentation for details. If you are concerned about data security, contact the manufacturer's customer service to ask what encryption method they use and whether data is encrypted at rest on their servers.

Can I use my car without connecting my phone to Bluetooth?

Yes. You can use navigation, climate control, and entertainment features without pairing your phone. You will not be able to make hands-free calls or use voice commands, but the car will not have access to your phone's location data. You can still use your phone's navigation app on a separate mount.