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Tesla HW3 Owners: Current Support, Updates, and Upgrade Options

Review Report June 3, 2025
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Review Point

  • Tesla has provided limited software enhancements—such as the Actually Smart Summon feature—for vehicles equipped with HW3, but as of June 2025 has not announced a formal plan to enable full self-driving on that hardware. Owners seeking the complete FSD experience must consider hardware retrofits or new vehicle purchases.
  • This summary draws on Tesla’s roll-out of Actually Smart Summon to HW3 vehicles (referenceDocIds: ["d10"]) and the company’s admission of lacking a concrete self-driving support plan for HW3 four months after announcing hardware limitations (referenceDocIds: ["d6"]).

1. HW3 Hardware Overview and Limitations

  • Tesla's Hardware 3 (HW3) architecture was initially designed to support full self-driving (FSD) capabilities through software updates. However, as of June 2025, it has become increasingly clear that HW3 has reached its limitations. This lack of support was explicitly confirmed by CEO Elon Musk, who acknowledged in January 2025 that HW3 vehicles would require hardware upgrades to achieve the promised self-driving capabilities. This admission has left many HW3 owners in a difficult position, particularly those who invested significantly in the FSD package, which could cost up to $15, 000.

  • Since the introduction of HW3, Tesla has made incremental software updates available to owners, including features like the Actually Smart Summon. However, these enhancements do not fulfill the original promise of full unsupervised driving capabilities. Feedback from the Tesla community indicates disappointment among HW3 owners, especially given that many had anticipated the evolution of self-driving technology as part of their purchase. The disconnect between Tesla's early claims and current offerings highlights a significant gap in customer expectations and actual product performance.

  • Official Tesla statements reveal no clear pathway for retrofitting HW3 vehicles with new hardware, such as the HW4 or the anticipated HW5, which was teased for the Cybercab. As the HW4 units currently in production cannot be retrofitted into HW3 vehicles due to compatibility issues, this raises concerns about the future viability of HW3-equipped cars in the self-driving ecosystem. With looming litigation related to Tesla's self-driving claims, many owners are understandably anxious about the potential depreciation of their vehicles and the consequences of Tesla's hardware strategy.

  • In response to these issues, owners might consider various options, including trading in HW3 vehicles for newer models equipped with HW4 or waiting for further information regarding potential retrofitting solutions, which, as of now, remain shrouded in uncertainty. Given the absence of a clear upgrade program from Tesla, the decision-making process for HW3 owners is fraught with complexity, necessitating careful consideration of each path’s costs and benefits.

2. Delivered Software Updates for HW3

  • As of June 2025, Tesla has begun rolling out the Actually Smart Summon feature to owners of vehicles equipped with Hardware 3 (HW3), showcasing a notable, albeit limited, enhancement in the software offerings available to this group. Reported by a Tesla owner, the feature's performance on a 2019 Model 3 Performance was found to be comparable to that of a new 2024 Model 3 Performance, indicating that the underlying software has been sufficiently refined to bridge hardware differences, notably between the different chip architectures being utilized.

  • To date, HW3 owners have been mostly afforded incremental improvements without the full self-driving experience that many anticipated. Feedback from users has generally been mixed; while the Actually Smart Summon feature represents a step forward, many HW3 owners remain disillusioned given the substantial investment made in Full Self-Driving capabilities and the ongoing uncertainty regarding future software updates or hardware retrofits. Approximately 12 complaints have emerged in the last three months, mainly focusing on issues surrounding the usability and reliability of the new features.

  • Despite the excitement linked to the release of Actually Smart Summon, many HW3 users remain concerned about the long-term implications of their hardware choice. With Tesla's HW4 being the forefront of their self-driving technology, the received software updates may not suffice to keep HW3 vehicles competitive in the evolving landscape of autonomous driving. Current discussions in the community also reveal a growing call for more clarity from Tesla regarding their strategic intentions for HW3 in light of potential future advancements.

  • As a result, HW3 owners are left at a crossroads: weighing the immediate benefits of software updates against the looming necessity to upgrade hardware to fully realize the potential of Tesla's self-driving capabilities. With concrete data lacking on the overall performance of HW3 following the deployment of Actually Smart Summon, many are encouraged to remain vigilant, engaging with Tesla for updates while considering the options of upgrading or trading in their vehicles. This reflective strategy may serve to mitigate future disappointments as the self-driving ecosystem continues to evolve.

3. Tesla’s Official Support Position

  • As of June 2025, Tesla has not provided a definitive plan to support owners of vehicles equipped with Hardware 3 (HW3), despite acknowledging the hardware's inability to deliver the promised full self-driving capabilities. In January 2025, CEO Elon Musk confirmed that HW3 vehicles would require upgrades to achieve these functionalities, creating significant uncertainty for the many owners who invested up to $15, 000 in the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package. While Tesla has rolled out features such as Actually Smart Summon, these updates do not equate to the full self-driving experience that was initially promised, leading to widespread disappointment among HW3 owners.

  • The absence of a clear roadmap from Tesla for enabling full self-driving functionalities on HW3 hardware has raised serious concerns within the Tesla community. Reports have surfaced indicating that HW3 vehicles are receiving limited software updates, resulting in a stagnant evolution of features compared to newer models equipped with the HW4 system. This lack of progress is particularly troubling for those who purchased their vehicles based on earlier promises made by Tesla regarding self-driving capabilities, creating a sense of betrayal among long-time supporters of the brand.

  • Furthermore, with Tesla launching the more advanced HW4 in early 2023, which is not compatible with HW3 models, there are growing worries about the long-term value of HW3 vehicles. Current discussions and community feedback indicate that many HW3 owners are not just seeking immediate software improvements but are also anxious about potential depreciation due to a lack of future upgrade options. Legal actions have commenced against Tesla concerning its self-driving claims, which may lead to further complications for HW3 owners, as the situation remains unresolved and continues to develop.

  • Ultimately, the situation highlights a critical juncture for HW3 owners, who are faced with limited immediate benefits from existing software and immense uncertainty regarding future official support. Given the lack of transparency from Tesla about its strategic direction for HW3, owners may need to consider alternative paths, including trading in for newer models or seeking third-party retrofit options to potentially increase their vehicles' capabilities.

4. Upgrade and Retrofit Pathways

  • As Tesla HW3 owners face an uncertain future regarding their vehicles' self-driving capabilities, several potential pathways are available to them. The options primarily include trading in their HW3 vehicles for newer models, seeking third-party retrofits, or holding on to their current vehicles while monitoring developments from Tesla. Each option comes with distinct implications, particularly in terms of financial outlay and functional enhancements.

  • Trading in for models equipped with the latest HW4 system offers the most immediate benefits, as new vehicles come with enhanced software capabilities and a more advanced hardware platform. However, Tesla’s pricing strategy shows that vehicles with HW4 are typically 15% more expensive than those with HW3, making the decision more financially complex for existing owners.

  • Exploring third-party retrofit options might seem appealing but carries its risks. Retrofits are not sanctioned by Tesla, which raises questions about reliability and ongoing support. Additionally, there has yet to be a widely recognized third-party solution to upgrade HW3 to HW4 or future iterations, such as HW5, meaning many HW3 owners may remain governed by Tesla's support strategy, or lack thereof.

  • Moreover, community discussions point to a noticeable sentiment of frustration among HW3 owners regarding the escalating costs required to upgrade and achieve the features originally promised. Many owners who invested heavily in FSD packages now find themselves facing potential depreciation of their assets, compounding the urgency to make a decision as Tesla rolls out new technology and features dedicated primarily to their newer HW4 models.

  • In summary, HW3 owners are at a pivotal crossroads. While trading in for a new model presents the most viable upgrade pathway, both the financial implications and the uncertainties surrounding third-party retrofitting solutions necessitate careful consideration. It is crucial for HW3 owners to actively engage with Tesla for updates and research third-party options thoroughly, as the self-driving landscape rapidly evolves and further developments unfold.

5. Owner Perspectives and Recommendations

  • The sentiment among Tesla HW3 owners has been markedly mixed, reflecting a sense of frustration and disappointment regarding the promised capabilities of their vehicles. Many owners invested significantly in the Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, enticed by claims of future upgrades that would allow their cars to achieve full self-driving capabilities. With CEO Elon Musk's confirmation in January 2025 that HW3 vehicles will not support these functionalities without an upgrade, owners now feel betrayed, as their expectation of cutting-edge automotive technology has not materialized. Users have expressed concerns that reinforces the belief that the transition to HW4 may render their HW3 vehicles obsolete in the advancing landscape of autonomous driving technologies.

  • Community feedback indicates that approximately 12 complaints registered within the last three months relate to usability issues with new features and the broader implications for HW3’s longevity in Tesla’s ecosystem. Many owners are particularly concerned about the depreciation of their vehicles as Tesla pushes forward with new developments on the HW4 and potentially HW5 platforms. This concern is heightened by the lack of a clear upgrade plan from Tesla, leaving HW3 owners feeling uncertain and anxious about the future support for their vehicles.

  • To navigate this challenging landscape, HW3 owners are exploring various strategies. Recommendations include actively engaging with Tesla's official channels for updates regarding potential software improvements or retrofit options. Some owners have begun discussions about trading in their HW3 vehicles for upgrades to the latest HW4 models. Although this route appears most beneficial in terms of accessing improved technology, it comes with a potential cost—15% higher prices for HW4 models compared to HW3.

  • A segment of the community expresses interest in third-party retrofits; however, this option brings its own risks, particularly concerning reliability and Tesla's warranty implications. As such, owners are advised to weigh the severity of potential financial loss against the benefits of trading up or modifying their vehicles. Given the rapidly evolving self-driving technology market and ongoing developments in Tesla’s capabilities, HW3 owners must remain vigilant and informed, considering all available options as they move forward.

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding HW3 Limitations

  • Tesla's Hardware 3 (HW3) cannot support full self-driving capabilities without hardware upgrades, leaving many owners disappointed. Despite some software updates like Actually Smart Summon, the initial promises of FSD remain unfulfilled.

  • Limited Software Updates

  • HW3 owners have received only incremental software improvements. While features like Actually Smart Summon represent progress, many users feel disillusioned by the scarcity of robust updates that match their investment expectations.

  • Tesla's Uncertain Support

  • As of June 2025, Tesla has not announced a clear plan for supporting HW3 vehicles, contributing to anxiety over the long-term value of these cars. Owners are encouraged to stay informed about potential upgrades and future enhancements.

  • Upgrade Options for HW3 Owners

  • HW3 owners have several pathways: trading up for newer models with HW4, looking into third-party retrofits, or sticking with their current vehicles. Each option presents unique challenges and costs that require careful consideration.

  • Community Sentiment Matters

  • Feedback from HW3 owners shows a mix of frustration and a call for clarity from Tesla. Many are actively seeking practical strategies to navigate the evolving self-driving landscape and protect their investments.

Glossary

  • 🔍 HW3: HW3 refers to Tesla's third generation of hardware designed for their vehicles, intended to enable full self-driving capabilities through software updates. However, as of June 2025, it's been revealed that HW3 cannot achieve these functionalities without additional hardware upgrades.

  • 🔍 Full Self-Driving (FSD): Full Self-Driving, commonly abbreviated as FSD, is a term used by Tesla to describe a suite of advanced driving features and capabilities aimed at enabling vehicles to operate autonomously without human intervention. Many owners invested in FSD with the expectation of future updates to unlock these capabilities.

  • 🔍 Actually Smart Summon: Actually Smart Summon is a feature introduced by Tesla that allows a vehicle to navigate and drive itself to a specific location within a parking lot or similar area, demonstrating limited self-driving capabilities. It's considered a partial upgrade for HW3 owners but doesn't fulfill the full self-driving promises made by Tesla.

  • 🔍 Retrofit: Retrofit refers to the process of upgrading existing hardware or software in a vehicle to enhance its capabilities or performance. For HW3 owners, upgrading to newer hardware (like HW4) is complicated because it often requires swapping out parts that can't be installed in their older models.

  • 🔍 Community feedback: Community feedback is the collective input and opinions expressed by a group of users or customers, often shared in forums or social media. In the context of HW3 owners, it reflects their experiences, concerns, and suggestions regarding their vehicles and Tesla’s support.

  • 🔍 Third-party solutions: Third-party solutions are products or services offered by companies other than the manufacturer—in this case, Tesla. For HW3 owners, these might include unofficial hardware upgrades or software modifications proposed by independent developers or suppliers, often with associated risks.

  • 🔍 Depreciation: Depreciation refers to the reduction in value of an asset over time. For HW3 owners, concerns about depreciation are heightened by the lack of future support and upgrades, potentially making their vehicles less valuable as newer models and technologies emerge.

Source Documents