Science & Tech · Gadgets & EVs · 3 hrs ago
South Korean court rejects Tesla owners’ FSD refund lawsuit
A Seoul court rejected a Tesla refund lawsuit brought by 88 owners in South Korea over the Full Self-Driving software option.
The owners filed their case in 2024, arguing that Tesla had not delivered the technology they paid for.
The court said FSD did not promise fully autonomous driving, which would let a vehicle drive without human intervention.
It found Tesla had provided some functions, while delivery of others depended on technology and regulatory approval.
A recent software update added traffic light and sign recognition and city-driving capabilities to older cars with Hardware 3 computers.
Similar legal challenges continue elsewhere, including a pending US case and a refund lawsuit by Tesla owners in China.
A South Korean court rejected a lawsuit by 88 Tesla owners seeking full refunds for Full Self-Driving software.
The Seoul Central District Court ruled that Tesla had not breached its contractual obligations.
The court said FSD did not promise fully autonomous driving without human intervention.
It found that Tesla had provided some package functions and that delivery of additional features depended on technological advances and regulatory approvals.
The owners filed the lawsuit in 2024, arguing that Tesla had not implemented FSD in South Korea for more than eight years.
- Who
- 88 Tesla owners sued Tesla.
- What
- The Seoul Central District Court rejected their claim for full refunds for FSD software.
- When
- October 29, 2026.
- Where
- South Korea.
- Why
- The owners said Tesla had failed to deliver the promised technology. The court found that FSD did not promise fully autonomous driving and that Tesla had not breached its obligations.
Tesla owners
Tesla
FSD promise
Tesla owners
The owners argued Tesla had failed to deliver the promised technology in South Korea.
Tesla
The court found that FSD did not promise fully autonomous driving without human intervention.
Refund claim
Tesla owners
The owners sought full refunds for the money paid for FSD.
Tesla
The court rejected the claim, finding Tesla had provided some package functions and that further features depended on technological advances and regulatory approvals.
Tesla began selling the FSD option in South Korea, according to the plaintiffs.
The owners filed their lawsuit.
The Seoul Central District Court rejected the owners’ refund lawsuit.
- Plaintiffs
- 88 Tesla owners
- Court
- Seoul Central District Court
- Ruling date
- October 29, 2026
- Lawsuit filed
- 2024
- Software
- Full Self-Driving (FSD)
- Alleged start of sales
- Around March 2017
2 sources
What people are saying
Tesla Korea has been unable to implement the FSD system option in South Korea for more than eight years since it began selling it around March 2017.