AUSTIN, TX – Tesla is facing a major new legal challenge after a proposed class action lawsuit alleged the company misled millions of buyers regarding its Full Self-Driving (FSD) capabilities.
The Core Allegations
The lawsuit, filed in federal court, targets Tesla, Tesla Finance, and Tesla Lease Trust. The complaint argues that since 2016, Tesla marketed its vehicles as having all the necessary hardware for future autonomous driving.
Plaintiffs claim that vehicles equipped with Hardware 1, 2, 2.5, and 3 completely lack the computing capability required to ever achieve true autonomy. Instead, the systems remain limited to advanced driver-assistance functions that require constant human supervision.
Hardware 3 and Elon Musk’s Comments
At the center of the legal battle is Tesla’s transition to Hardware 4. The lawsuit points to recent public comments made by CEO Elon Musk, who stated that Hardware 3 would not be capable of delivering unsupervised Full Self-Driving.
The plaintiffs argue these statements directly contradict a decade of marketing assurances that encouraged buyers to pay up to $15,000 extra for optional FSD packages or subscriptions.
Who Is Included In The Proposed Class?
The proposed lawsuit seeks to represent U.S. owners and lessees who meet the following criteria:
- Purchased or leased a Tesla equipped with Hardware 1 through 3 after May 19, 2017.
- Paid separately for the Full Self-Driving package or subscription.
- Excludes California residents and owners who did not opt out of Tesla’s arbitration agreement.
The lawsuit seeks financial compensation for the premium paid for the FSD packages. It is important to note that these are allegations in a proposed lawsuit; Tesla has not been found liable, and the claims have not yet been proven in court.
