Case in preparation
You paid for a car that would drive itself. On Hardware 3, Tesla isn't delivering that.
Since 2016, Tesla promised that every car had the hardware to become fully self-driving through software updates. On Model 3, S, X and Y with Hardware 3 that promise isn't being kept. We're gathering those owners and reclaiming money: a refund and compensation for what wasn't delivered. Whether or not you bought FSD separately, you belong here.
Sign-ups from across Europe
This is the claim, and this is the next step
We're opening up the claim: what it covers, what you may be able to recover per vehicle, and a new calculator on the homepage. In the preparation we're supported by a renowned law firm, with a litigation funder and a foundation in preparation. The claim starts in the Netherlands; based on the purchase contracts you upload, we're investigating expansion to other European countries.
The problem in 30 seconds
What Tesla promised, what turned out, and what we're doing.
For years, from 2016 to 2024, Tesla stated on its Dutch product page: 'Every Tesla is equipped with the hardware needed in the future to make the vehicle fully self-driving in almost all circumstances.' Many owners bought their Tesla on that promise. Others also purchased FSD on top of that, to support Tesla as early adopters.
By April 2026 it's clear that Hardware 3 can't deliver on this. The Dutch RDW approved FSD (Supervised) for Dutch roads on 10 April 2026, but only on AI4 hardware. For HW3, Tesla is announcing a stripped-down 'v14 Lite'. Tesla's own patent describes that the workaround to run FSD on HW3 can render the system 'inoperable'.
What we want to achieve
The goal is money, not an empty promise. We don't count on Tesla still delivering full self-driving on Hardware 3, so we're not building the case on that. We're claiming a refund and compensation for the promise that wasn't kept. If Tesla offers an upgrade to newer hardware of its own accord, that's a bonus. But it's nothing to count on and nothing we promise.
Which situation are you in?
Everyone with Hardware 3 belongs here. What you can claim depends on one question: did you buy the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package separately, or did it come with the car or you didn't buy it?
You paid separately for self-driving software that isn't delivered on Hardware 3 as promised. We want to reclaim that amount in full or in part. On top of that, the same compensation applies for the promise baked into the car's price. The separate invoice makes this the strongest claim. FSD comes first; EAP we assess alongside it.
Tesla promised with every car that the hardware was capable of full self-driving. A portion of the price you paid for the car, in our assessment, rested on that promise. That portion is what we may want to reclaim for you. This route is legally newer; we phrase it deliberately cautiously.
The core is simple: Tesla promised a result and didn't deliver it. The case is being legally substantiated and prepared with a renowned law firm.
What could you claim?
Fill in a few details and you'll see a substantiated estimate of what could be claimed for your Tesla. This calculator is for Teslas registered in the Netherlands: with your licence plate we automatically fetch the model, year and catalogue value from the RDW.
Only for Teslas registered in the Netherlands. We don't store your licence plate.
What Tesla promised, and what's actually true
Tesla's own statements and positions, set against the facts of 2026. Every line traces back to a source on the evidence page. View the evidence →
-
'Every Tesla is equipped with the hardware needed in the future to make the car fully self-driving under nearly all circumstances.' Tesla.com NL product page, 2019.
What's actually true: On 10 April 2026 the Dutch RDW approved FSD (Supervised) for Dutch public roads. Tesla delivers the approved version on AI4 hardware. HW3 vehicles get a stripped-down 'v14 Lite'.
-
'Full Self-Driving Capability' was sold as a one-time purchase in 2019. No reservation about hardware replacement. Nowhere.
What's actually true: Elon Musk, Q4 2024 Earnings Call (29 January 2025): 'the truth is that we will need to replace all HW3 computers in vehicles where FSD was purchased'.
-
'Through software updates, the functionality of the system is continuously improved over time.' Tesla NL product page 2019.
What's actually true: Tesla VP Ashok Elluswamy publicly confirmed on 21 August 2024 that HW3 runs a 'relatively smaller model' than AI4, with workarounds emulating operations natively supported on AI4.
-
'[The car would be] twice as safe as the average human driver.' Tesla NL product page 2019.
What's actually true: According to a TESMAG analysis of self-reported driving data (March 2026), AI4 averages around 450 miles between disengagements. HW3 manages about 120. Tesla delivers a stripped-down model on HW3 that doesn't achieve the same safety performance.
Participating costs you nothing
Signing up is free and non-binding. This is how it's set up.
In preparing the case, we are assisted by a renowned law firm.
We are in talks with a specialist litigation funder; the structure is aimed at participation costing you nothing upfront and, if the case fails, in principle nothing at all. These arrangements are not yet finalised.
Your data is stored securely on servers within the EU. You can delete your registration at any time.
Get updates on the progress of this initiative. No Tesla required. Unsubscribe any time.
What happens when you sign up
Own a Tesla Model 3, S, X or Y with Hardware 3 (or the older HW2/HW2.5)? You can participate, with or without a purchased FSD package, regardless of which country you're in. We bundle the sign-ups and use them to build pressure in the conversation with Tesla.
You only enter your email address and get a login link in your inbox right away. Clicking that link confirms your address and signs you in. If you don't click within 14 days, your data is automatically deleted.
Next, you fill in your name, country and postal code and add your Tesla: your hardware version and, if you bought it, information about your FSD purchase. We only ask what's needed. No phone spam, no selling to third parties.
The more owners take part, the stronger the case and the greater the chance a collective procedure actually goes ahead. In your dashboard you can strengthen the case further by securely sharing your purchase agreement in the Glovebox. You always stay in control of your participation.
In the press
International coverage of the HW3 Claim initiative.
Teknoblog
Tesla için Avrupa'da FSD kaynaklı hukuki baskı artıyor
22 June 2026
智电网
特斯拉HW3硬件无法满足完全自动驾驶平台 7000辆测试车面临问题
22 June 2026
Telset.id
Gugatan Kolektif Tesla di Belanda: 7.100 Pemilik Tuntut FSD
22 June 2026
Xchg.ro
Peste 7.100 de proprietari Tesla din Olanda extind acțiunea colectivă pe promisiunile FSD pentru Hardware 3
21 June 2026
ArenaEV.com
Case against Tesla over broken FSD promises in Europe gets serious
20 June 2026
Auto-Moto
Tesla fait face à une plainte collective officielle pour son FSD, la grogne monte
19 June 2026
All of Europe, not just the Netherlands
The Netherlands is the first EU country where FSD has been approved, and that's where we're preparing the case. Tesla's promise was the same everywhere, so we gather owners from across Europe and beyond. When FSD rolls out in your country, the same problem applies.
FSD approved
Netherlands
Belgium
Denmark
Estonia
Lithuania
Frequently asked questions
The test is your hardware, not your purchase. Does your Tesla have self-driving hardware from before HW4, meaning Hardware 2, 2.5 or 3 (also known as "FSD Computer")? Then you belong here, whether or not you bought the FSD (Full Self-Driving) package. Tesla promised from October 2016 to August 2024 with every car that the hardware would be capable of full self-driving, and that promise applied to the car itself, not just to those who bought FSD separately. Hardware 3 is our primary focus because the evidence is strongest there, but the older HW2 and HW2.5 are included too. Which models and years that covers, and how to find your hardware version, is explained in the following questions.
Signing up is free and non-binding; you're not committed to anything and no payment obligation arises. Signing up doesn't automatically entitle you to compensation; whether, and how much, is recoverable depends on the legal assessment and is not guaranteed. Participation is expected to cost you nothing upfront. We are in talks with a specialist litigation funder; the structure is aimed at you paying nothing upfront and, if the case fails, in principle nothing at all: that risk lies with the funder. If the case succeeds, an agreed portion of the proceeds goes to the funder; the remainder goes to the participants. These arrangements are not yet finalised; we'll let you know once they are.
Your data is used only to register your sign-up, send you case updates and substantiate your claim. We don't sell it and don't pass it on to Tesla or the press. If this initiative transfers to a foundation that pursues the claim, your data may go with it; we'll let you know in advance and you can object at that point. See the terms and the privacy statement.
Not yet. The case is in preparation for the Netherlands. We are also investigating other European countries. Two formal notices have been sent, both rejected by Tesla. In preparing the case, we are assisted by a renowned law firm. A foundation will be set up to pursue the case as a collective action under the WAMCA; the more owners take part, the stronger and more representative the case. For non-EU participants we act primarily as a worldwide register and referrer. The jurisdictions page shows what is happening locally (US: CPM Legal, Australia: Echo Law, etc.). Signing up does not create an attorney-client relationship.
Mischa Sigtermans, in a private capacity. It's not a commercial service and not legal advice. In preparing the case, we are assisted by a renowned law firm, working toward a possible collective procedure. The more owners take part, the stronger and more representative the case, and the greater the chance that procedure actually goes ahead.