Phones do not have passengers travelling on them at 80mph. Car software is on a different league of risk.

Important distinction here is that not every software update for a vehicle is intended to fix bugs, much less those than contribute to driving error.

Not every Tesla update is a recall, for example.

It's a good separation when an update addresses a bug - which can lead to drivability/safety issues - is classified differently than one that doesn't. And a recall makes sense, though the issue seems to be that some people associate that with deadly mechanical issues alone.

Of course, mechanical recalls happen all of the time, too, but are very often minor and/or ignorable.

What if we use Google and we can see that we get media reporting on security issue updates (and maybe if is Apple the fanboys will also start defending similar as Tesla/Elon fanboys here)

https://www.forbes.com/sites/kateoflahertyuk/2025/02/12/ios-...

- But mom, it is not a recall, it is not fair

others explain that recall has a meaning and if you read the article you will understand it is an software update for a significant issue