Tesla remotely removes autopilot features from used Model S after it was sold

[Freddie159]

What are you suggesting? Are you suggesting Microsoft should deactivate Windows, when they can't update? All because they want to continue updating our machines.

Updating is a service. The vehicle being autonomous is not. Keeping the vehicle features activated all because of updates is a grey area.

No MS should just stop updating your software until you fix, or get fixed, the problem stopping the updates. MS takes our data in exchange for the 'free' updates. While Tesla on the other hand may or may not be doing the same thing, by that I mean selling the data they collect. IMHO Tesla should stop updating the software unless the new buyer pays for the service to continue, otherwise it is what it is the day you bought your used vehicle, just like every other car maker.

 

[bas416]

Think about it as plugins. You own the physical item, but not the software plugins. You only lease those. They could even make it monthly subscription based! If your car is not used for half a year, you can cancel the autonomous driving add-on. And when you sell the car, you sell the base itself with the batteries, the software extras you only leased so the new owner has to subscribe himself.

 

[Cycloid Torus]

I'm inclined to think that the article is incomplete.

If seller benefited from sale of something he did not have right to sell, then the buyer should make a claim on the seller.

 

[ShagnWagn]

Prime example why we should not have vehicles on the internet. If this does not tell you why, I don't know what will. OnStar was bad enough. For me, I will only be buying used low-mileage dumb vehicles. We all know how ridiculously *****ic "smart" devices are!

They are probably saving his life so he isn't tempted to try using the auto-wrecking feature. Thank you tesla!

 

[purity999]

It works like this, Tesla will turn on the features as a "demo" so owner gets to play around with the new FSD features for a while. Vehicle get traded in and the "demo" never gets turned off. Mind you, nowhere in the software interface does it say if it's temporary or not, you have to call Tesla and have them verify. New person purchases the used car, not knowing that the FSD is only a demo. Months later, Tesla does and audit and sees that it was never paid for and removes the software. New owner is SOL. I know, because it happened to me with my Model 3 and EAP (FSD didn't exist at the time), the original owner did purchase Autopilot.

 

[cliffordcooley]

purity999, that actually makes more sense to me. Unfortunately it is a strike against Tesla in my book.

 

[Mugsy]

If Tesla is eager to drive away consumers... both the used car market AND people reluctant to buy one if they fear it will have reduced resale value), this is a sure way to do it.

Incredibly boneheaded move (either that, or insanely greedy.)