23:13 09-04-2026

Tesla disables FSD in Europe after unofficial activation

Tesla has begun disabling the Full Self Driving (FSD) system in Europe for vehicles where it was activated using unofficial methods. This affects cars whose owners bypassed regional restrictions.

Technically, European Teslas already have the same hardware as US versions. The limitations are purely due to legislation, so the system is blocked based on geolocation. Some owners used third-party methods to activate FSD prematurely. Now Tesla is responding by remotely disabling access to the feature through software updates.

The company sends notifications directly to the vehicle and requires installation of new software. After the update, the car remains fully operational but without the advanced autopilot features. In some cases, remote system reboots have been observed, confirming Tesla's complete control over the vehicle's software.

This move is directly tied to the anticipated approval of FSD in Europe. The Dutch regulator plays a key role in determining when the technology can launch. Any use of the system outside permitted conditions could complicate certification, so Tesla is acting preemptively.

This situation highlights how modern vehicles increasingly depend on manufacturer software control. Tesla demonstrates it can not only add features "over the air" but also remove them just as quickly when they're used outside established rules.