A week after announcing the end of standard Autosteer on new vehicles, Tesla has updated its configurator to require a Full Self-Driving subscription for the lane-keeping feature across all Model 3 and Model Y trims. The change, building on October 2025 standard trim adjustments, faces sharp criticism for compromising safety and prioritizing subscriptions amid slumping sales.
This latest step fully implements the policy shift first detailed last week for US and Canada markets, extending to all trims without grandfathering. Previously standard for nearly seven years alongside free Traffic-Aware Cruise Control, Autosteer now demands the FSD (Supervised) package—a $99 monthly subscription or $8,000 one-time purchase until February 14, 2026, after which only subscriptions apply (with a temporary $49 rate promo noted earlier this year).
Backlash has intensified on social media and from industry watchers. Reddit users lamented, "No lane centering on a premium car? The humblest Nissan Leaf now comes with ProPilot standard." Responses to Elon Musk on X called it "a really poor move," with fears of future FSD price hikes. Electrek labeled it "a bad move for consumers and a confusing one for the brand," pointing to rivals like Toyota, Honda, and Nissan offering free lane-keeping.
Critics frame the decision as a "desperation move" tied to Tesla's declining sales, with speculation it stems from Musk himself. While aimed at boosting FSD adoption, the paywall raises affordability and safety alarms for entry-level EV buyers, contrasting with standard active safety features like emergency braking that remain free.
