do newer vehicles also get bogged down with patches and updates like computer laptops,barcode scanners, etc??

you are better off , less likely to need servicing for electronics too

The last two problems on my Model S were both mechanical: tailgate cinching mechanism and drivers door release. Did have one software update a year or so ago that had some minor bugs, they were fixed in a new update a few days later.

Yes relays and sensors go bad and you have to get a diagnostic scan