Tesla has made significant changes to its “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) purchase agreements, retroactively adding a “supervised” clause that was not present at the time of the original sales. This modification comes amid increasing scrutiny and legal challenges surrounding the FSD program. Owners have reported difficulties accessing their original purchase documents, which raises concerns about the implications of these updates.
Tesla’s Retroactive Changes to FSD Contracts
The affected contracts were signed between 2016 and early 2024, when Tesla marketed the FSD package without the “supervised” language. At the time of sale, customers received assurances regarding the potential for unsupervised driving capabilities.
Owner Experiences with Inaccessible Contracts
Several Tesla owners, including Oliver Abcarius, have come forward with similar experiences. Abcarius, who purchased FSD for his 2018 Model 3 on August 12, 2019, found that his contract was retroactively updated, now linking to a page that no longer exists. He stated, “It’s crazy because there are zero issues opening any documents on both accounts except those that would have the FSD purchase details documented.”
- Oliver Abcarius purchased FSD on August 12, 2019.
- His wife’s 2020 Model Y, purchased on May 29, 2020, has the same issue.
Reports from Electrek confirmed that this issue extends beyond Abcarius’s household, affecting other Tesla owners with HW3 vehicles. Notably, the revisions seem concentrated on contracts that originally sold the FSD package without any indication of being “supervised.”
Tesla’s Shift in FSD Language
A pivotal timeline surrounds these changes. From 2016 until early 2024, the FSD capability was marketed as a package costing up to $15,000, with expectations for full autonomy through software updates. CEO Elon Musk had consistently claimed that unsupervised self-driving was forthcoming, promising advancements by year-end annually since 2018.
However, the narrative shifted in March 2024, when Tesla officially changed the package’s name to “Full Self-Driving (Supervised).” This announcement included language that clearly stated the system does not offer full autonomy.
Legal Implications and Concerns
Legal actions are mounting against Tesla, including a certified class-action lawsuit in the United States addressing FSD statements made during the timeframe when the contested contracts were signed. This legal scrutiny comes as Tesla faces accusations of false advertising related to the FSD program. The company is currently tasked with defending its practices regarding the FSD software, with significant liabilities reported.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2016 – Early 2024 | FSD marketed without “supervised” language. |
| March 2024 | Renaming of FSD to include “supervised.” |
| September 2025 | Redefinition of the FSD program’s promises. |
This trend of making purchase agreements inaccessible raises troubling legal questions for transparency and accountability within the company. With lawsuits piling up, the situation highlights potential issues of evidence spoliation—where crucial documentation could be altered or erased to avoid legal scrutiny.
Call to Action for Tesla Owners
For Tesla owners who acquired the FSD package before 2024, it is imperative to check whether their original agreements remain accessible. If they find their documents missing, they should take steps to document this situation as it may serve as critical evidence in ongoing and future disputes.
