Collecting participants
Hardware 3 and FSD. Tesla hasn't delivered what it sold.
Since 2016, Tesla has sold the Full Self-Driving package with the promise that every car would become fully self-driving through software updates. On Model 3, S, X and Y with Hardware 3 (an estimated 4 million cars worldwide) that promise isn't being kept. This site gathers Dutch owners in the same position.
The problem in 30 seconds
In 2019, 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.' Dutch owners paid for Full Self-Driving on that promise. In 2019, from €5,300 at order to €7,500 after delivery, depending on when you bought.
By April 2026 it's clear that Hardware 3 can't deliver on this. The Dutch RDW approved FSD (Supervised) for Dutch public roads on 10 April 2026. Tesla delivers the approved version on AI4 hardware. On HW3, Tesla rolls out a stripped-down 'v14 Lite'. Tesla's own patent acknowledges that the workaround to run FSD on HW3 can render the system 'inoperable' for perception in autonomous driving.
We're gathering Dutch owners with Hardware 3 and a purchased FSD package. The more people sign up, the more weight this carries when we sit down with Tesla. Or stand up in court.
What Tesla promised, and what's actually true
Six public Tesla statements, set against the facts of 2026. Every line traces back to a source on the evidence page.
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What Tesla promised
'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'.
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What Tesla promised
'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'.
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What Tesla promised
'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.
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What Tesla promised
'[The car would be] twice as safe as the average human driver.' Tesla NL product page 2019.
What's actually true
According to fleet data published by TESMAG (March 2026), AI4 averages 450 miles between disengagements. HW3 averages 120. Tesla delivers a stripped-down model on HW3 that doesn't achieve the same safety performance.
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What Tesla promised
'Coming later this year: recognition of and response to traffic lights and stop signs. Automatic driving within urban areas.' Tesla NL configurator 2019.
What's actually true
Six and a half years later, in April 2026, none of these three features works in full form on HW3. Tesla announced a 'v14 Lite' in Q3 2025, expected in Q2 2026.
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What Tesla promised
No mention of possible hardware replacement in the original configurator disclaimer. Only reservations about reliability and legal approval.
What's actually true
Tesla's own US patent US20260017503A1 acknowledges that the workaround for HW3 can render the system 'inoperable' for perception units of an autonomous driving system.
What happens when you sign up
Own a Tesla Model 3, S, X or Y with Hardware 3 and bought FSD? Leave your details. We bundle the sign-ups and use them only to build pressure in the conversation with Tesla.
We only ask what we need to verify your sign-up: name, email, postal code, VIN and information about your FSD purchase. No phone spam, no selling to third parties.
You'll get a confirmation link. Only after you click does your sign-up count. No confirmation within 7 days? Your data gets deleted automatically.
No obligations, no costs. You can have your data deleted any time. Once there are enough participants, we engage an attorney on a no cure, no pay basis. You'll be informed in advance and give your own consent.
Frequently asked questions
Dutch owners of a Tesla Model 3, S, X or Y with Hardware 3 (FSD Computer 3.0) who bought the Full Self-Driving package. That covers cars produced between April 2019 and end of 2023. Older Model S and Model X owners who bought FSD from October 2016 onward and got the free HW2.5 → HW3 retrofit are welcome too. They're facing the exact same hardware limitation.
All Tesla models with Hardware 3 (FSD Computer 3.0) where the Full Self-Driving package was purchased: Model 3 (delivered between April 2019 and late 2023, up to the Highland refresh), Model S and Model X (between early 2019 and early 2023, up to the new AI4 versions) and Model Y (delivered in Europe from August 2021 to late 2023). The Cybertruck isn't affected. It shipped with HW4/AI4 from day one. Pre-2019 Model S and Model X owners who got the free HW2.5 → HW3 retrofit in 2019-2020 face the same limitation. According to Electrek, we're talking about an estimated 4 million vehicles worldwide.
In the car: go to Controls → Software → Additional Vehicle Information. Your hardware version is listed there. In the Tesla app: scroll all the way down on the main screen. You'll see your VIN (long-press to copy). From around late 2023/early 2024, new cars shipped with HW4/AI4, but the exact switchover varies by model and region. Not sure? Sign up with your VIN. We can confirm whether your car qualifies.
Signing up is free. If an attorney gets involved, we work on a no cure, no pay basis: you only pay if there's a successful outcome. You'll be fully informed of the terms before that and only consent to participate at that point.
Your data is used only to register your sign-up, send you case updates, and (where applicable) substantiate your claim. It's not shared with third parties without your explicit consent.