Collecting across Europe
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 is European by design and also registers owners outside Europe, so everyone is counted. The Netherlands is the first EU country where FSD has been approved. Others will follow.
The problem in 30 seconds
What Tesla promised, what turned out, and what we're doing.
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 owners across Europe with Hardware 3 and a purchased FSD package. The Netherlands leads, but when FSD rolls out in other countries, the same problem applies. The more people sign up, the more weight this carries when we sit down with Tesla. Or stand up in court.
All of Europe, not just the Netherlands
The Netherlands is the first EU country where FSD has been approved, but Tesla's promise was the same everywhere. We're gathering owners from all countries listed below. When FSD rolls out in your country, the same problem applies.
FSD approved
Netherlands
FSD not yet rolled out
Germany
France
Belgium
Austria
Italy
Spain
Portugal
Sweden
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Poland
Ireland
Greece
Czech Republic
Hungary
Romania
Bulgaria
Croatia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Cyprus
Switzerland
United Kingdom
Iceland
Liechtenstein
Beyond Europe, too
This site is European by origin: Dutch initiative, EU hosting, negotiations aimed at EU owners. But the problem is worldwide. We therefore also register Tesla HW3 owners outside Europe. A certified class action is ongoing in the US, and in Australia there is one through Echo Law. The jurisdictions page shows for every country exactly what is happening and where you can join a local action.
What Tesla promised, and what's actually true
Eight public Tesla statements and positions, set against the facts of 2026. Every line traces back to a source on the evidence page.
-
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'.
-
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'.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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
Seven 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.
-
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 Tesla promised
'All Tesla Cars Being Produced Now Have Full Self-Driving Hardware.' Tesla blog, 19 October 2016. The foundation of Tesla's FSD marketing for years.
What's actually true
Tesla deleted this blog post in August 2024 without explanation, while lawsuits were building. In Q3 2025, Tesla changed the wording to 'designed for autonomy'. The original promise is archived via Wayback Machine.
-
What Tesla promised
Tesla's standard defence against marketing claims: statements about fully self-driving hardware are 'corporate puffery', vague statements of corporate optimism, not binding, not to be taken literally.
What's actually true
August 2025: a US jury rejected that defence in Benavides v. Tesla and awarded $243 million. Judge Bloom dismissed all appeal arguments in February 2026. Tesla has since quietly settled at least four Autopilot lawsuits.
What happens when you sign up
Own a Tesla Model 3, S, X or Y with Hardware 3 and bought FSD? Leave your details, regardless of which European country you're in. We bundle the sign-ups and use them 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 or costs for now. You can delete your account at any time via Settings. Once there are enough participants, legal representation will be arranged. The fee structure will be disclosed in advance. You decide then whether to participate.
In the press
International coverage of the HW3 Claim initiative.
Not a Tesla App
Tesla Faces Class-Action Claim in Europe From HW3 FSD Owners
4 May 2026
heise online
Tesla: Older models lack hardware for fully autonomous driving
3 May 2026
Autovisie
Tesla probeert boze klanten te kalmeren met belofte van uitgekleed Full Self-Driving Lite
2 May 2026
The Cool Down
Tesla, Musk face class-action lawsuit for failure to deliver on self-driving promises
30 April 2026
Hamburger Abendblatt
Elon Musk gesteht: Viele Tesla-Autos können wohl nie autonom fahren
29 April 2026
Ny Teknik
Europeiska Teslaägare känner sig lurade: löfte om självkörning har inte infriats
29 April 2026
Get updates on the progress of this initiative. No Tesla required. Unsubscribe any time.
Frequently asked questions
Any owner of a Tesla with Hardware 3 (FSD Computer 3.0), in the Netherlands or anywhere else in Europe. Whether you bought FSD or not: Tesla promised your hardware would be capable of Full Self-Driving. Own a Model 3, S, X or Y with HW3? You can participate. The Netherlands is the first EU country where FSD has been approved. As other countries follow, owners there face the same problem.
Signing up is free and non-binding. If legal proceedings follow, the fee structure will be disclosed in advance. You decide then whether to participate.
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.
Not yet. We're in the collection phase for the Netherlands, soon EU-wide. Two formal notices have been sent, both rejected by Tesla. Once there are enough sign-ups, legal representation will be arranged. Possible next steps include a collective lawsuit or a WAMCA procedure (Dutch Mass Damage Settlement Act). 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. Once there are enough sign-ups, a registered attorney will handle the legal strategy.