First, the current method of programming an ECM is to have a special dealer tool that connects to the OBD 2 interface, communicates over serial data, and throws data at it. There’s no menu interface to check for updates, or install them. Ford’s Microsoft Sync does allow for in-care entertainment updates over USB, but they still require a visit to the dealership to use the magic USB key.

Second, in consumer electronics, when you update a device, you load the update into a spare partition, CRC check it, and then update from that local spare partition. In the automotive world, there is no spare partition, you must have a full battery, and if the data is interrupted in any way, the ECM is likely trashed. They never bothered to learn the lessons from the consumer world, because updates are only applied as a matter of a customer complaint and dealer appointment. Applying an update is a paid for service, which cost $155 USD. The ECM isn’t made by the car manufacturers, it’s bought in from the likes of Bosch, who are bidding on price – extra flash for the update partition isn’t in the spec, or price.

The cost to consumers, the cost of the special tool to independent mechanics, and the subscription service cost that supplies updates ($40 a VIN, per year for GM) are all profit centers that they are not motivated to give up.

The recall requiring a software fix happens so infrequently that they’re still ahead by not implementing these changes in product, server backend, and giving up the subscription and tool sales.