Over-the-Air Updates, Subscriptions and Data in Modern Cars

A modern car contains dozens of small computers, called electronic control units, that manage everything from the engine and brakes to the windows and infotainment screen. Premium models can have more than 100 of them, running tens of millions of lines of software code. Increasingly, carmakers are redesigning vehicles around a few powerful central computers instead, a shift often described as the "software-defined vehicle." Here's what that means for owners.

What is an over-the-air update?

An over-the-air (OTA) update is new software downloaded to the car through a mobile or Wi-Fi connection, much like a phone update. Tesla popularized OTA updates for cars in the early 2010s, and many manufacturers now offer them. Updates can fix bugs, add features, improve range or efficiency, and change how driver assistance systems behave. Some only update the infotainment system, while others can update systems that control driving.

Can a recall be fixed without visiting a dealer?

Yes, if the problem is in software that the car can update remotely. Several recalls in the US have been resolved this way, including large Tesla recalls related to driver assistance and seat belt warnings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration still classifies these as recalls, and owners receive recall notices, but no service visit is needed. Hardware problems still require a repair.

Why do cars now offer subscriptions?

Because features can be switched on with software, some carmakers have tried selling them as subscriptions or one-time unlocks after purchase. Examples include advanced driver assistance, extra performance, connected navigation and remote start through an app. BMW drew widespread criticism in 2022 for offering heated seats as a subscription in some markets and dropped that approach in 2023. Connected services such as live traffic and remote apps often come free for a trial period and then require payment. Check what is included before you buy, especially when buying used, since some features may not transfer to a new owner.

What data does a connected car collect?

Connected cars can record location, speed, braking and acceleration, and in some cases data from cameras and microphones. A 2023 review by the Mozilla Foundation rated cars as the worst product category it had studied for privacy. In 2024, reporting by The New York Times showed that some carmakers had shared driving behavior data with data brokers that supplied insurers, leading to regulatory scrutiny and lawsuits. Owners can usually review and limit data sharing in the car's settings or the manufacturer's app, and should do so before agreeing to "insurance discount" or "smart driver" programs.

Are cars vulnerable to hacking?

More connectivity means more potential entry points. In 2015, security researchers demonstrated that they could remotely control functions of a Jeep Cherokee, which led Fiat Chrysler to recall 1.4 million vehicles. Since then, regulators have tightened requirements. A United Nations regulation, UN R155, requires carmakers to manage cybersecurity risks for new vehicles sold in the EU and many other countries, and it has applied to all new vehicles registered in the EU since July 2024. Keeping a car's software up to date matters for security as well as features.

Can independent garages still repair software-heavy cars?

Access to diagnostic data has become a "right to repair" issue. Massachusetts voters approved a law in 2020 requiring carmakers to give owners and independent shops access to vehicle data through a standardized platform, though implementation was tied up in court. Carmakers and independent repair groups in the US have also signed voluntary agreements on access to repair information. Before buying, it's worth asking local independent garages whether they can service the model.

What does this mean for buying a car?

• Ask about update support: how long will the car receive software updates, and do they cover safety and driving systems or just infotainment?
• Check what's subscription-based and what the costs are after any free trial.
• Look at connectivity: cars rely on mobile networks, and older cars lost connected features when 3G networks shut down in the US in 2022.
• Review privacy settings on delivery and before using any insurer's tracking program.
• When buying used, make sure the previous owner's account is removed from the car and app.

The upside

Software-defined cars can improve after purchase, get safety fixes faster and gain features buyers didn't expect. The trade-offs are more data collection, dependence on the manufacturer's support, and the risk that features you value come with ongoing fees. Understanding those trade-offs makes it easier to choose a car that suits how long you plan to keep it.