Lucid Gravity software bugs lead to staff shake-up

The Lucid Gravity was supposed to be the electric SUV that changed everything. It arrived with a stunning design, space for seven people, and performance stats that could make any sports car blush. But when it finally rolled out to first customers and reviewers, the headlines were not about its speed or comfort. They were about the key fob. In a surprising move, Lucid's interim CEO, Marc Winterhoff, admitted the launch had serious problems and announced he had replaced almost the entire software leadership team to fix the mess.

The problems began almost immediately after the Gravity hit the road. This SUV is a technological masterpiece on paper. It stretches over 198.2 inches long and packs more than 800 horsepower in its top trim. It can drive up to 450 miles on a single charge. Yet, for many early drivers, the car simply would not start. The high-tech key fob often failed to connect to the car. Owners found themselves standing outside a vehicle that costs over $80,000, unable to get in or drive away because the car did not recognize the key.

Inside the cabin, things were not perfect either. The massive screens that control most of the car's features suffered from glitches. These screens are used for everything from navigation to music. When they freeze or act up, the whole experience of driving this luxury EV falls apart. For a company that prides itself on being better than the competition, these basic failures were a major embarrassment.

Marc Winterhoff did not hide from the criticism. In a candid talk with reporters at CES 2026, he called the situation "sometimes embarrassing." He pointed out the irony that Lucid built a car capable of adding 200 miles of range in just over 10 minutes - a world-class feat - but couldn't get a simple key to work. His solution was drastic. He told the press he had "basically replaced the whole software leadership team."

The shake-up went beyond just software engineers. Lucid saw the departure of some very senior figures. Chief Engineer Eric Bach left the company after more than ten years. James Hawkins, the Vice President of Engineering, also exited. While Winterhoff did not say these specific departures were only because of the software bugs, the timing sends a clear message. Lucid is hitting the reset button on how it handles its digital technology.

The good news for current owners is that help is already arriving. Lucid has started sending "over-the-air" (OTA) updates to the cars. These are digital repairs that download automatically, just like updating a smartphone. A recent update, version 3.3.20, has reportedly fixed the worst of the key fob issues. The car now unlocks and starts more reliably.

Winterhoff promised that the work is not done. He laid out a strict timeline for the remaining fixes. He expects another update by the end of January to solve the problem where the key drains its own battery by constantly "pinging" the car. He told reporters that by the end of March 2026, the Gravity should be "over the hump" and fully functional.

Lucid is not the only carmaker stumbling over software issues. As cars turn into computers on wheels, software has become the hardest part of building them. Giants like General Motors and Volvo have also delayed cars or faced angry customers because of screen freezes and buggy systems. An electric car today relies on millions of lines of code to manage its battery, motors, safety sensors, and entertainment. If one piece of code is wrong, it can ruin the drive, no matter how good the mechanical parts are.

The Gravity proves that great hardware is not enough. It offers incredible specifications, like a 0-to-60 mph time of under 3.5 seconds and a massive frunk that can double as a seat. It is so capable that Uber plans to use it for driverless taxi services. But as Winterhoff noted, "Under the hood, there is a ton of software that all works. And then the key fob doesn't." With a new team in place, let's hope Lucid can finally make the software as premium as the car itself.

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