The ambitious idea of completely autonomous vehicles is getting a very unpleasant reality test in the United States. According to a recent survey by AAA, only 13% of Americans trust self-driving automobiles, and an unbelievable 61% of Americans claim to be terrified of even being in one. Years of hype and billions of dollars of investment have not reduced consumer skepticism about driverless technology; it is increasing.
The impact of this increased mistrust on the auto industry is very real. Stellantis, the world carmaker of the Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge, and Peugeot brands, is actually dropping its highly hyped STLA AutoDrive Level 3 Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). Reuters has had several company insiders confirm that the project is being shelved because it is expensive to develop, because of technological challenges, and above all because of a lack of consumer demand.
From Optimism to Caution
A couple of years ago, self-driving cars were described as the next big thing in mobility. Car manufacturers and technology companies competed in an attempt to demonstrate that they could truly learn how to drive autonomously and promised cars that would travel safely through highways and urban streets without human control.
But things have been much less kind. The complicated road systems, erratic human operators, and a hodgepodge of rules have hampered the development. As other companies such as Tesla, Waymo, and Cruise are still advancing with different degrees of automated driving systems, the excitement that surrounds automakers and people seems to be dwindling.
In the case of Stellantis, it could not have been any poorer. In February 2025, the company introduced STLA AutoDrive Level 3 technology that can enable a new generation of hands-free highway driving. However, by the time it even got to the market, the changing consumer mood and rising costs made it apparent that it was going to be a hard sell.
What the Numbers Say
The AAA survey has a clear picture of the industry:
- In 2025, 61% of Americans reported fear of self-driving cars as compared to 54% in 2021.
- The percentage of those who think autonomous driving is a priority to be developed is only 13%.
- Most drivers, though, are firm believers in the idea of investing in new safety technology that helps, not replaces, the real driver.
Greg Brannon, AAA director of automotive engineering, said most drivers would prefer automakers to put more emphasis on high-tech safety features. People have mixed feelings about fully autonomous vehicles, but one thing is clear: modern drivers appreciate all the features that can make their driving safer.
In short, consumers want more driver aids like emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keeping assistance—not full autonomy.
Stellantis’ New Strategy
Although Stellantis is putting its short-term Level 3 autonomy plans on hold, the company is not giving up on the technology. One of the spokespersons of Stellantis stressed that AutoDrive is ready and can be offered to the market, and yet, there are not many people interested in the product.
Instead, Stellantis seems to be shifting to a set of features that is more in line with customer preferences, to establish trust by making small steps forward instead of leaping directly into autonomy. This pragmatic method can appeal to the buyer who considers technology that can help increase safety as a welcome element, yet the buyer still values having their hands on the wheel.
