Tesla will discontinue the option to purchase its Full Self-Driving (FSD) package for a one-time $8,000 fee, transitioning the feature to a strictly subscription-based model after February 14. CEO Elon Musk announced the update on X, though he did not specify if the current pricing – presently $99 per month or $999 annually – will change once the subscription becomes the exclusive way to access the software.
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This shift provides a new level of flexibility for Tesla owners, particularly those who do not plan to keep their vehicles long-term or remain sceptical of the software’s evolving performance. By moving to a subscription, drivers can avoid a massive upfront investment and effectively hedge their bets against a feature that has historically struggled to meet its ambitious developmental timelines. Since 2015, Musk has repeatedly promised “complete autonomy,” yet the technology has consistently required more time to reach those goals.
Tesla will stop selling FSD after Feb 14.
FSD will only be available as a monthly subscription thereafter.
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— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 14, 2026
Despite the “Full Self-Driving” branding, the system remains a Level 2 driver-assist tool that requires constant human supervision and frequent intervention. It currently fails to qualify for Level 3 conditional automation, placing it significantly below the truly autonomous Level 4 or 5 standards originally predicted to arrive by 2018. This persistent gap between marketing and actual capability has fuelled years of accusations regarding false advertising from consumer advocates and government officials alike.
Legal and regulatory pressure is now reaching a boiling point, specifically in California. A judge recently ruled that Tesla utilized “deceptive language” to market its Autopilot and FSD features, leading to a recommendation that the company’s sales be suspended in the state for 30 days. While Tesla has a 90-day window to comply and potentially mitigate these penalties, the ruling underscores the intensifying scrutiny surrounding how semi-autonomous driving technology is sold to the public.
