Korean consumer group says Tesla misled FSD buyers
The group says Tesla sold FSD (Supervised) to Korean buyers whose cars cannot legally use it.
Damian B Oh / Wikimedia A Korean consumer group says Tesla misled tens of thousands of buyers by selling FSD (Supervised) for cars that cannot legally use it. Citizens United for Consumer Sovereignty planned to file a complaint with the Korea Fair Trade Commission on Thursday, Reuters reported.
Only about 20 per cent of Teslas registered in Korea can use FSD: the US-built ones, which meet US safety rules Korea accepts under a free trade agreement. Most Teslas sold there are made in China, including more than 170,000 since 2023.
Buyers often paid a lump sum of 9.043 million won (US$6,726) for the software.
"Tesla generated substantial revenue by selling an expensive driver-assistance system to mass-market buyers who cannot use it for even a single day," said Choi Young-suk. He leads the group's work on cars.
Regulator already looking
The commission opened its own probe into Tesla's FSD advertising earlier this year and has written responses from Tesla, an official said. Tesla did not respond to requests for comment.
Owners lost a refund case
On 29 October, the Seoul Central District Court dismissed a suit by 88 Tesla owners seeking full refunds for FSD. The court found the option did not promise driving without a human, and that further features depended on technology and regulator approval, CNA reported.
FSD (Supervised) launched in Australia and New Zealand in September 2025, Tesla said in its Senate submission.
Rod Bland is the publisher and editor of Volts & Bots. He lives in Sydney and drives a Model Y L bought in Australia in 2026, with HW4 and FSD (Supervised). More about Rod Bland.