What happened
On 10 April 2026 the Dutch type-approval authority RDW approved FSD (Supervised) under UN R-171 — the first green light for Tesla's driver-assistance package anywhere in Europe. The small print, which Tesla did not highlight in its launch communications, is that the approval only covers vehicles equipped with the AI4 inference computer (also called Hardware 4, or HW4), fitted to new Teslas since late 2023. Every Model 3, Model Y, Model S and Model X sold in Europe before that date runs on Hardware 3 and gets nothing at launch.
TeslaNorth's coverage notes that Tesla has vaguely promised a "v14 Lite" build for HW3 sometime in Q2, but without regulatory detail — and because the RDW approval is tied to a specific software stack, any significantly different HW3 build would have to be homologated separately.
The collective claim
A group of Dutch Tesla owners has launched hw3claim.nl, a site that collects European HW3 owners who paid for the "Full Self-Driving" option — often north of €7,500 up-front — on the premise that Tesla would deliver the feature on their car. The site's position is straightforward: "European owners bought Tesla's Full Self-Driving on the basis of firm promises. FSD is rolling out across the EU, but not on our cars. We don't accept a Lite version."
Drive Tesla reports the organisers plan to negotiate with Tesla first and pursue legal action as a fallback. Dutch consumer law is favourable to this kind of case: a purchase promise that is materially unfulfilled can trigger damages or rescission claims, and group actions (WAMCA) are routinely used to bundle consumer complaints.
Who is affected
| Hardware | Approximate years produced | FSD (Supervised) status in NL |
|---|---|---|
| Autopilot 1 / 2 / 2.5 | 2014–2019 | Not supported — legacy |
| Hardware 3 (AI3) | 2019 – late 2023 | Excluded from the 10 April 2026 approval |
| Hardware 4 (AI4) | late 2023 – present | Approved, €99/month subscription live |
| Hardware 5 (AI5) | Not fitted to any vehicle | N/A — reserved for Optimus and supercomputers |
What to do if you own an HW3 car in Europe
- Check your hardware. Tap Controls → Software → Additional Vehicle Information to see whether your car lists AI3 or AI4. The Wikipedia page on Tesla Autopilot hardware lists cutover dates by model and factory.
- Keep your purchase documentation. The claim sites are asking for the original order agreement that lists "Full Self-Driving" as a paid option, plus any screenshots from your Tesla account showing the feature status.
- Do not cancel your FSD subscription if you had one — you may lose standing to argue Tesla failed to deliver.
- Register with hw3claim.nl if you want to be counted in the European claim. Registration is free and does not commit you to litigation.
What it means for the European rollout
The HW3 rift is Tesla's first major European FSD headache. Regulators in Germany, France and the Nordics are watching the Dutch process closely: an approval framework that excludes the majority of the existing fleet is politically awkward and could slow down the broader EU-wide rollout. Expect other markets to require clearer communication from Tesla about what, exactly, each hardware generation will get — and when.