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Modern cars are more like rolling computers than simple machines. Automakers now rely heavily on over-the-air (OTA) software updates to correct problems, add features, or comply with safety regulations. Instead of visiting a dealership, your car can receive a patch while it sits in your driveway, much like a smartphone. While convenient in theory, these digital fixes have led to unexpected consequences. In fact, a number of recalls in 2024 and 2025 were directly tied to OTA updates that created new defects.
For California drivers, this raises a pressing question: what happens when a fix turns into a new problem? The answer is that you are not stuck with a defective car, even if the issue began with an update.
High-Profile Recalls in 2024–25
Recent recall campaigns show how easily an over-the-air fix can turn into a new safety problem:
- Tesla (2024): Nearly 700,000 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles were recalled after an OTA update intended to improve braking functions led to unintended braking behavior and disabled alerts. Tesla also recalled more than 2 million vehicles to correct instrument panel font sizes, another fix delivered digitally.
- Ford (2024–25): Updates meant to stabilize camera software caused rearview displays to fail, a clear safety risk that forced the company to issue repeated recall campaigns.
- Volvo (2025): About 400,000 vehicles were recalled to fix rearview camera defects. A separate OTA patch introduced an even more dangerous issue for several thousand plug-in hybrids and EVs: braking systems could fail after downhill driving, leaving cars unable to stop until power cycled.
These examples highlight the risks of pushing software updates too quickly. What’s intended as a remedy can instead create new and serious safety hazards for drivers.
The Impact on California Consumers
When an OTA update goes wrong, you might experience more than just a minor glitch. For many drivers, these problems quickly make the vehicle unreliable or unsafe. Some common issues include:
- Sudden braking or acceleration changes.
- Loss of critical safety systems, such as airbags or collision warnings.
- Dead displays that leave drivers without rearview cameras or speed information.
- EVs that fail to charge or shut down unexpectedly.
California law makes no distinction between defects caused by faulty hardware and those caused by faulty software. If your vehicle suffers repeated issues after updates, the Lemon Law may give you the right to a refund or a replacement vehicle.
Why OTA Problems Are Becoming More Common
Manufacturers face intense pressure to address defects quickly. With regulators closely monitoring safety issues, automakers often rush fixes through OTA updates because they can be distributed almost instantly. But the speed of delivery can come at the expense of careful testing. Unlike hardware fixes, which usually require months of evaluation, a software patch might be rolled out with limited trial runs.
This “patch first, test later” approach explains why many recalls in 2024–25 involved updates themselves. Automakers are essentially experimenting on consumers, and California drivers are the ones paying the price when things go wrong.
What to Do if an OTA Update Makes Things Worse
If your vehicle develops new issues after an update, there are practical steps you should take right away:
- Document everything. Keep records of update notifications, note when the patch was installed, and track the problems that followed. Photos, screenshots, and videos can strengthen your case.
- Return to the dealer. Even though the defect came from an update, the dealer must give the manufacturer a chance to fix the problem.
- Be persistent. If multiple updates or repair visits don’t resolve the defect, your patience should not come at the cost of safety.
- Know your rights. California’s Lemon Law covers repeated failures to repair defects, whether they are mechanical, electrical, or software-based.
How The Lemon Firm Can Help
At The Lemon Firm, we know how disruptive it is when your car fails to perform after you trusted a manufacturer’s fix. Over-the-air updates were meant to make life easier, but for many drivers, they have introduced even bigger problems. If you are dealing with recurring issues after updates, we can step in to protect your rights under California’s Lemon Law.
Our team will review your case, gather the documentation, and pursue compensation from the automaker. That may mean a refund of what you paid for the vehicle, or a replacement that finally delivers the reliability you expected. You don’t have to settle for a car that is unsafe or unpredictable.
Call The Lemon Firm today for a free consultation and find out how we can help you get back on the road with confidence.