Yes and we have the NHTSA (unless it's already been neutered by the chaos) who can accumulate statistics and issue recalls.

NHTSA's power is simultaneously very broad and narrow. They're empowered to investigate potential safety issues after the fact, but this may not be a safety issue in the very pedantic sense often used. NHTSA can proactively set standards, but the standards they've set (FMVSS) largely ignore modern electronics. So on and so forth.

NHTSA has been involved in recalls of OTAs that involve safety issues in the past, sometimes for things more minor than this, as long as it is something that affects safety equipment. e.g. stereo recalls because the backup camera took too long to display when shifted into reverse.

> There is no need to invent new regulations.

The current regulations are written for a time where cars didn't have rolling computers in them. And even then, the regulations don't account for Tesla-style linked systems. So I say we do need new regulations.

Haven't cars been substantially computer controlled for decades? Electronic fuel injection has been common since at least the'90s.

Yes but it's fairly recent that cars are receiving software updates on their own. Usually if there was an update, it would be from a recall that would necessitate going to a dealer to apply the changes, not something that is auto-downloaded and applied without the owner's awareness.

And even then, the car is at a dealer and not your garage or some random shop. So it can potentially make the OEM liable if the update goes sideways.

i'd venture a guess - you've never seen "Fight Club" :)