Grand Theft Auto V update 1.38, also known as the Cunning Stunts: Special Vehicle Circuit update, was released on March 14, 2017, for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. This patch focused on expanding the racing ecosystem of GTA Online by introducing high-stakes stunt tracks specifically designed for specialized vehicles. Major Content Additions
The update centered on high-octane racing and streamlined access to legacy vehicles:
Special Vehicle Races: 20 brand-new stunt races were added, custom-built to leverage the unique abilities of the Rocket Voltic (boost), Ruiner 2000 (parachute and jump), and Blazer Aqua (amphibious transitions).
New Vehicle: The Progen GP1 supercar was added to the Legendary Motorsport roster for purchase.
Heist Vehicle "Buy It Now": A significant quality-of-life change allowed players to purchase Heist-related vehicles immediately without completing their associated Heist first, albeit at a higher "Buy It Now" price. Gameplay Features & Quality of Life
Update 1.38 introduced several mechanical tweaks to improve the user experience:
Rank Requirement Removal: High-end military vehicles like the Rhino Tank, Buzzard Attack Chopper, Annihilator, and Dubsta 6x6 no longer required players to reach a specific Rank before purchase.
Unlocking Heist Equipment: Gear like the Rebreather, Night Vision goggles, and LCD Earpieces became available at Ammu-Nation without requiring Heist completion.
Creator Updates: Players gained the ability to change prop colors using L1/R1 on the PS4 controller and received various fixes for model memory and corrupt jobs in the Creator.
Racing Improvements: A new "Aggregate Position" option was added to races. Additionally, the camera on the Blazer Aqua now retains its setting when transitioning to water, rather than forcing a third-person view. PS4-Specific Fixes
Specifically for the PS4 version, this update addressed technical bugs that hindered multiplayer sessions:
Fixed an issue where players accepting a "Play Together" invite were placed in solo sessions. Gta V Update 1.38 Ps4
Resolved a bug where players could become stuck in the sky after signing out and back into PSN while deleting a character.
Fixed a lock-up issue during Export Missions if the CEO closed the application during the launch.
Watch these videos to learn more about the Cunning Stunts: Special Vehicle Circuit update and its hidden features:
The Grand Theft Auto V Update 1.38 for PlayStation 4 is a legacy version of the game that significantly expanded the Cunning Stunts and Special Vehicle Circuit content. Key Content & Features
Progen GP1 & Other Vehicles: This update famously introduced the Progen GP1 supercar. It also paved the way for "drip-fed" content, including the heavily requested Duke O'Death muscle car.
Special Vehicle Races: New race types specifically designed for the Rocket Voltic, Ruiner 2000, and Technical Aqua were added to GTA Online.
Vehicle Performance & Modifications: Patch 1.38 was critical for technical stability, addressing various memory leaks and crashes. Community & Technical Use Cases
60 FPS Unlock & Modding: For the PS4 modding and jailbreak community, version 1.38 is a common baseline for applying 60 FPS patches and other modifications. It is also used to enable the "Skip Intro" feature on modified consoles.
Interaction Menu: Players on PS4 use this version to access the Interaction Menu by pressing and holding the touchpad, allowing them to manage inventory, quick GPS, and SecuroServ options. Online Communication Tips
Player Text Messages: In GTA Online on PS4, you can adjust who receives your in-game texts by going to the Online tab in the Pause menu and selecting Options > Player Text Messages.
Phone Dialing: To manually dial numbers (such as for cheat codes or specific contacts) on PS4, open the phone and press Square to bring up the keypad. Grand Theft Auto V update 1
Grand Theft Auto V Update 1.38 (also referred to as patch 1.22 on some platforms) was released on March 14, 2017. The update was approximately 890MB on PlayStation 4 and introduced the "Cunning Stunts: Special Vehicle Circuit" content. Key Content & Additions
Special Vehicle Circuit: 20 new Stunt Races specifically designed for special vehicles like the Rocket Voltic, Ruiner 2000, and Blazer Aqua.
New Vehicle: The Progen GP1 supercar became available for purchase from Legendary Motorsport.
Heist Vehicle "Buy It Now": A new option was added to the vehicle websites, allowing players to purchase Heist-related vehicles immediately at a higher price without needing to complete the associated Heist first.
Rank Requirement Removals: Several high-end vehicles like the Rhino Tank, Annihilator, Buzzard, and Dubsta 6x6 no longer required players to reach a specific rank before they could be purchased. Gameplay & Feature Updates
Aggregate Position: A new race option where a bar fills at different speeds based on your current position in the race; the first to fill the bar wins.
Dynasty 8 Executive Website: Updated with simplified buttons for adding garage floors and custom auto shops.
Camera Adjustments: The camera for the Blazer Aqua now maintains its perspective (first or third person) when transitioning between land and water.
Time Trial Schedule: The weekly update for active Time Trials was moved from Monday to Tuesday.
Creator Improvements: PS4 players can now use L1 / R1 to change the color of props while in the Creator mode. Bug Fixes (PS4 Specific)
Session Invites: Fixed an issue where accepting a "Play Together" invite while agreeing to policies would put players in a solo session. Gameplay Changes and Quality of Life Fixes Beyond
Export Missions: Resolved a bug where players would get stuck if the CEO closed the application during an Export Mission.
Character Deletion: Fixed an issue where signing out and back into PSN while deleting a character could leave the player stuck in the sky.
For a deeper look at the specific vehicle updates and hidden features included in this patch, you can watch this video:
Beyond the new content, Update 1.38 fixed several persistent PS4 bugs and introduced subtle changes:
First, it is important to clarify the numbering. On the PS4 system software, the update displayed as 1.38 (sometimes listed as 1.39 in different regions due to hotfixes). This corresponds to the Smuggler’s Run DLC title. Unlike minor patches that fix clipping issues or radio glitches, 1.38 was a major content drop.
Key Version Identifier:
This update was not about quality-of-life fixes (though it included some). It was about introducing a completely new economy of illegal cargo—specifically, air freight.
For a player still on GTA V v1.38 (unpatched PS4 disc, no internet):
For a modern player looking back:
Beyond the flashy content, GTA V Update 1.38 PS4 brought several under-the-hood tweaks that veteran players still appreciate.
In the long and storied history of Grand Theft Auto V on the PlayStation 4, few update numbers carry as much weight with the hardcore fanbase as Update 1.38. While newer patches have added futuristic vehicles and massive heists, version 1.38—often referred to as the Smuggler’s Run update—represents a golden era of GTA Online. Released in late summer 2017, this patch fundamentally changed how players approached air combat, business management, and solo grinding.
For those returning to Los Santos after a long break, or for new players wondering why their console is suddenly downloading a 5+ GB patch, here is everything you need to know about GTA V Update 1.38 on PS4.