How Car Software Updates Work and What You Need to Know

What car software updates do and why manufacturers send them

Car software updates are changes to the code that runs your vehicle's computer systems. Manufacturers send them to fix problems, improve how features work, patch security gaps, or add new capabilities. Unlike your phone, which prompts you to update, most car updates happen automatically when you connect to WiFi or visit a dealership — though some vehicles now let you update at home.

The software controls everything from the engine and transmission to the infotainment system, safety features, and emissions controls. An update might fix a transmission delay, improve fuel economy, correct a sensor malfunction, or address a recall issue. Some updates are small patches; others are substantial changes that take 30 minutes to an hour to install.

You do not have to do anything to receive most updates. If your car is connected to the manufacturer's network and you have a service appointment scheduled, the dealer will often install pending updates while you wait for other work. If you want to check whether updates are available, your owner's manual or the manufacturer's website will tell you how to access that information for your specific vehicle.

Key Takeaways

• Most car software updates install automatically at dealerships or over WiFi without any action required on your part.
• Updates fix bugs, improve performance, address recalls, and patch security issues in your vehicle's computer systems.
• Some newer vehicles allow over-the-air updates at home, while others require a dealership visit or WiFi connection.
• You can check your manufacturer's website or owner's manual to see if updates are waiting for your vehicle.
• Updates typically take 15 minutes to over an hour depending on the size and complexity of the change.

How updates reach your vehicle

The path an update takes depends on your vehicle's age and manufacturer. Older cars require a dealership visit — a technician connects a diagnostic tool to your vehicle's port and installs the update. Newer vehicles often support over-the-air updates, which download through your car's built-in cellular or WiFi connection without a trip to the dealer.

Over-the-air updates are becoming standard on recent models from most major manufacturers. Tesla pioneered this approach and now many others — including General Motors, Ford, BMW, and Volkswagen — offer it. The update downloads when your car is parked and connected to WiFi, usually overnight. You can often see the progress on your dashboard screen.

Some manufacturers use a hybrid approach: minor updates come over the air, but major ones still require a dealership visit. Check your owner's manual or your manufacturer's support website to learn which method applies to your vehicle. If you are unsure whether an update is available, most manufacturers let you check through a mobile app or the vehicle's settings menu.

What happens during an update and how long it takes

When an update installs, your vehicle's computer systems restart and the new code replaces the old. During this time, you cannot drive the car — the systems need to be offline to complete the installation safely. Most updates take 15 to 45 minutes, though larger ones can take over an hour.

If you are updating at a dealership, you can wait in the service area or leave your vehicle there while you run errands. If you are updating at home over WiFi, make sure your car stays connected and parked until the process finishes. Do not turn off the engine or disconnect the power during an update, as this can corrupt the software and require a service visit to repair.

Once the update completes, your vehicle will restart normally and you can drive it as usual. Some updates may change how certain features behave or look on your dashboard screen — this is normal. If something seems wrong after an update, consult your owner's manual or contact your manufacturer's customer service line.

Updates and recalls: when an update fixes a safety issue

Some software updates address safety recalls. When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identifies a defect that affects safety, manufacturers can sometimes fix it with a software update instead of a physical repair. These updates are still considered recalls, and the manufacturer is required to notify you.

If your vehicle is subject to a recall that can be fixed by software, you will receive a notice by mail or email. You can also check whether your vehicle has open recalls by visiting NHTSA's website (safercar.gov) and entering your vehicle identification number (VIN). Some recalls require a dealership visit even if the fix is software-based, while others can be completed over the air.

You should address recall updates as soon as reasonably possible, especially if they involve braking, steering, or other critical safety systems. However, you are not required to install non-safety updates immediately — you can schedule them at your next service appointment or when it is convenient.

Security updates and protecting your vehicle from cyber threats

As cars become more connected, manufacturers release security updates to patch vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access to your vehicle's systems. These updates protect against hackers attempting to remotely control steering, braking, or other functions — a risk that grows as vehicles gain more internet connectivity.

Security updates work the same way as other software updates: they install automatically at dealerships or over the air, depending on your vehicle. You do not need to do anything special to receive them. However, keeping your vehicle's software current is one of the best ways to protect against cyber threats.

If you are concerned about security, check your manufacturer's website for information about their security practices and update schedule. Some manufacturers publish security bulletins explaining what vulnerabilities were patched in each update. Keeping your vehicle connected to the manufacturer's network — by maintaining your account and keeping your WiFi or cellular connection active — ensures you receive security patches promptly.

What to do if an update fails or causes problems

Update failures are rare, but they can happen if the connection drops during installation or if there is a hardware problem. If an update fails, your vehicle will usually attempt to restore the previous version of the software automatically. If this does not work, you will need to visit a dealership to have a technician diagnose and repair the issue.

If your vehicle behaves differently after an update — such as reduced fuel economy, a feature that no longer works, or a warning light that appears — first restart the vehicle and drive it for a few miles to see if the issue resolves. Many vehicles need time to recalibrate after an update. If the problem persists, contact your manufacturer's customer service line or visit a dealership.

Document what you observe: when the problem started, what exactly is happening, and whether it is related to a specific feature. This information helps the dealership diagnose the issue faster. In rare cases where an update causes widespread problems, manufacturers may release a follow-up update to fix it, so check your manufacturer's website for any notices.

Opting out of updates and managing update timing

With over-the-air updates, you typically cannot refuse an update entirely, but you can often delay it. Most vehicles let you postpone an update for a set period — usually 7 to 30 days — before it installs automatically. This gives you time to plan around the downtime if needed.

If your vehicle requires a dealership visit for updates, you have more control over timing. You can schedule the update during your next regular service appointment or request it separately. However, if the update addresses a safety recall, the manufacturer may require you to complete it within a certain timeframe, though this is enforced through warranty coverage rather than legal mandate.

For vehicles with over-the-air capability, you can usually adjust settings to control when updates download and install — for example, specifying that updates should only happen between midnight and 6 a.m., or only when parked at home. Check your vehicle's settings menu or mobile app to see what options are available for your make and model.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a software update void my warranty?

No. Manufacturer software updates are part of normal vehicle maintenance and do not void your warranty. In fact, keeping your software current is often required to maintain warranty coverage. Only unauthorized modifications or third-party software changes could affect your warranty.

Can I update my car myself, or do I need to go to a dealership?

For most vehicles, you cannot update the software yourself. Dealerships and authorized service centers have the diagnostic equipment needed to install updates safely. If your vehicle supports over-the-air updates, the manufacturer handles the installation automatically — you do not need to do anything.

What if I ignore a software update?

For non-safety updates, ignoring them will not harm your vehicle immediately. However, over time you may miss performance improvements, bug fixes, or security patches. If the update addresses a recall, you should complete it as soon as reasonably possible, especially if it involves safety systems.

Do software updates use data from my phone or cellular plan?

Over-the-air updates use your vehicle's built-in cellular connection or your home WiFi, not your phone's data plan. If your vehicle has a cellular subscription (separate from your phone), the manufacturer typically covers the data cost for updates. Check your vehicle's documentation to confirm how your specific model handles data.

How do I know if my car needs an update?

Check your manufacturer's website by entering your vehicle identification number (VIN), or use your vehicle's settings menu or mobile app if available. Your owner's manual will explain how to access this information for your specific make and model. You can also ask your dealership during a service appointment.