Gta V Update 1.38 Ps4 -
On PS4, players could now buy hangars at either Los Santos International Airport (LSIA) or Fort Zancudo. The location mattered significantly:
Inside these hangars, via a new computer terminal, players launched the Smuggler’s Run business. This involved stealing eight types of contraband: Narcotics, Chemicals, Medical Supplies, Animal Materials, Counterfeit Goods, Jewelry, Gemstones, and Art.
GTA V Update 1.38 was not the biggest update (that’s Heists), nor the most broken (Doomsday), nor the most futuristic (The Contract). But for PS4 players, it was the update that finally let you live out your Top Gun fantasies.
It transformed the sky above Los Santos from an empty void into a legitimate battlefield. It gave purpose to the massive hangars at LSIA that had taunted players since 2013. And it introduced the aircraft workshop, a feature so essential that Rockstar has carried it forward into every subsequent GTA Online update.
Whether you are grinding air freight for the nostalgia or just want to turn your Hydra into a rainbow-colored death machine, Update 1.38 remains a pivotal chapter in the PS4’s GTA V lifecycle. So plug in your controller, dismiss the muggers, and take to the skies—the smuggler’s life is waiting.
Did you play GTA V Update 1.38 on PS4 back in 2017? What was your favorite aircraft from the Smuggler’s Run update? Let us know in the comments below.
Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) Update 1.38 refers to a specific version of the game that caused significant confusion among players. To provide a useful guide, it is important to clarify what this version actually is, as the number means different things depending on whether you are playing the Legacy (PS4) version or the Expanded & Enhanced (PS5) version.
Here is a comprehensive guide to navigating GTA V Update 1.38.
Upon installing Update 1.38, players could access the in-game "Maze Bank Foreclosures" website to purchase a hangar. Prices ranged from $1.2 million (LSIA) to $3.25 million (Fort Zancudo). The Fort Zancudo properties came with a hidden perk: Low-level clearance. This meant that after purchase, the military would no longer attack you when you flew over or into the base.
The core loop:
The major complaint (still relevant today): The payout vs. time ratio was abysmal compared to Import/Export (Update 1.36) or Gunrunning (1.37). Smuggler’s Run was designed for group play; solo players found the missions frustrating due to long travel distances across the entire San Andreas map.
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. Gta V Update 1.38 Ps4
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.
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. On PS4, players could now buy hangars at
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.
Here’s a detailed, analytical write-up on GTA V Update 1.38 for PS4, focusing on its context within Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online.
Current note (as of 2025): If your PS4 is online, GTA V will auto-update beyond 1.38. To stay on 1.38, you would need a physical disc and disable automatic updates after installing.
This update introduced 11 new vehicles, but a few became icons of the GTA Online meta. Here are the standouts: Inside these hangars, via a new computer terminal,
