I Bought Tesla FSD in 2019 Under an Unfulfilled Promise And Think It Should Be Portable

Brian is on his 3rd Tesla. He was an early adopter and purchased FSD in 2019 on a lease under the promise that was never fulfilled according to him and thinks Tesla should make it portable.

In 2019, I was an early adopter of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) package, hopeful that I was on the cutting edge of automotive technology. Tesla promised that FSD would be available in a matter of months, and I was eager to be part of this self-driving revolution. I was leasing the car and heard rumors from Tesla salespeople about possible transferability, meaning I could take my FSD purchase with me to a future Tesla. I envisioned upgrading my Tesla like I do with my iPhone—every couple of years, I’d get the latest model, and my FSD would follow me. But neither promise came true during the time I owned that car.

In my view, the most logical solution is that FSD should be portable, linked to the driver’s profile rather than the car. All modern Teslas already have the necessary hardware for FSD, so technically, this is something Tesla could implement. It makes no sense to tie such a large, expensive software investment to a single car, especially considering how often Tesla updates and releases new models. Instead, FSD should be something the owner can take with them from vehicle to vehicle. After all, it's not just software; it’s a commitment many Tesla drivers make under the assumption that they’re future-proofing their driving experience. For those of us who believed in that vision early on, it feels frustrating to see it go unfulfilled.

From a legal standpoint, there might be an argument that FSD could be treated as a separate purchase. This is especially relevant when it’s added after the car is bought to qualify for tax credits. For example, the government offers incentives for electric vehicle owners, and if FSD was added to the car separately, that distinction could matter. But Tesla seems more interested in playing the game of maximizing profit than considering fairness to its customers. And to be honest, while I love the cars themselves, Tesla as a company leaves a lot to be desired. The way they handle their pricing has made many of us feel ripped off.

Tesla's price manipulation is one of the most frustrating aspects for owners like me. I had ordered a Tesla Model S Plaid for $148,000, only to see the price drop to $105,000 within a year. Combine that with the depreciation that happens because of their frequent price cuts, and you’re looking at up to a 25% drop in value in just a year. Imagine spending that kind of money only to realize your car is worth $70,000 two years later. It’s hard not to feel betrayed by the company when something like that happens. And this isn’t just about FSD pricing—it’s happening across the board, with Tesla playing fast and loose with their prices, hurting customers financially.

Current Tesla owners who are still considering FSD should ask themselves whether it’s worth the hefty price tag. Tesla may cut prices again, and if FSD remains tied to a specific vehicle, you'll lose that investment if you upgrade or switch cars. Is it fair for something so expensive to become worthless when you trade in or sell your vehicle? Should Tesla offer refunds or credits for early adopters who paid significantly more than what the package costs today? For those who’ve already purchased FSD, it raises a deeper question: Should Tesla be held accountable for changing the terms and expectations after the fact?

As a longtime Tesla owner—I’m currently on my third Tesla and have two in my garage right now—I feel conflicted. The cars themselves are fantastic. Tesla’s hardware and software are unmatched in many ways, which is why I continue to drive them and plan to buy another. But their customer service and corporate practices leave much to be desired. It’s frustrating to see a company that leads the charge in technological innovation fall so short in how they treat their customers. We’re left feeling like we’re being taken advantage of, not because the technology isn’t good, but because the company prioritizes profit over loyalty and fairness.

For me, this all boils down to a single point: FSD should be portable. It’s a simple and reasonable ask for something as advanced and expensive as Full Self-Driving. It should be tied to the person driving, not the car they happen to be in. We’re buying into a futuristic vision, and Tesla should treat its customers like we’re part of that vision, not just dollar signs.

This was adopted from a comment, a Tesla owner, named Brian, wrote under our previous story, titled: "Tesla Cuts FSD Prices to as Low as $4,500 – Owners Who Paid $15,000 Demand a Refund."

So, Tesla FSD owners, are you with Brian? Did you buy in early with promises that never came true? Do you think FSD should be portable? Let's hear your stories in the comments!

Armen Hareyan is the founder and the Editor in Chief of Torque News. He founded TorqueNews.com in 2010, which since then has been publishing expert news and analysis about the automotive industry. He can be reached at Torque News Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, and Youtube. He has more than a decade of expertise in the automotive industry with a special interest in Tesla and electric vehicles.