Car Software Updates Take Hours, Stranding Owners at Dealerships All Day

A viral TikTok video has shed light on the lengthy and frustrating process of modern car software updates. In the clip, a technician initially expected the upgrade to take only half an hour—only to be told it could actually require most of the day. Today’s vehicles contain dozens of control modules governing systems ranging from infotainment and driver assistance to battery management. Software updates often require multiple modules to be updated in a specific sequence, with repeated verification steps along the way. The process is highly susceptible to interruptions or even rollbacks due to network instability or compatibility issues. One user complained that a four-hour update rendered their control unit completely inoperable—“bricking” it—and left their vehicle stranded at the service center for two days. Another technician reported a single transmission software update that took over 12 hours. Experts advise car owners: unless it’s confirmed to be a brief safety-related update, avoid waiting onsite. Instead, schedule overnight updates and ensure the vehicle’s battery is in good condition to minimize the risk of unexpected interruptions.