by Tesla’s Company Policy
Few automakers change prices and sales terms as abruptly as Tesla, and this has become part of its public image. The company is known for lifting the Cybertruck resale ban a few years ago, and now it has alarmed customers again with another change in rules related to the Full Self-Driving system.
As previously reported, Tesla no longer offers Full Self-Driving (Supervised) as a one-time purchase and has fully transitioned to a monthly subscription. It was also announced that owners who previously paid for FSD upfront would be able to transfer it to a new car only if the new Tesla is delivered by March 31.
That $8,000 Tesla Upgrade Won’t Be Yours Much Longer
Rule Change
Shortly after this announcement, Tesla changed the wording of the FSD transfer program conditions, stating that customers only needed to place an order by March 31 to be eligible for the transfer. This change took effect on January 20, 2026, temporarily replacing the vehicle delivery condition with an order placement condition, giving buyers more flexibility, especially those trying to get one of the last Model S or Model X vehicles before production ended.
Now the company has reversed this change, again requiring vehicle delivery by March 31, not just order placement by that date.
It is understood that customers who placed an order and received an estimated delivery window by March 31 inclusive will remain eligible for the FSD transfer, even if delivery is delayed until April due to Tesla-caused delays. However, those who placed an order but received a delivery window after March 31 will not be able to transfer their FSD.
Issues for Cybertruck Buyers
This will likely affect most those who ordered a new Tesla Cybertruck in the Dual-Motor AWD trim. After Tesla updated its policy to require only order placement by March 31, many buyers ordered the new base Cybertruck version at the introductory price of $59,999, fully counting on the ability to transfer their FSD system, despite many deliveries being expected only next year. Now these buyers appear to be out of luck.
Moreover, the introductory price has since increased to $69,990, and deliveries of this specific trim are not expected until summer, effectively excluding all current order holders from the transfer window under the reinstated vehicle delivery rule.
Compounding the situation is the lack of readily available Cybertruck Dual-Motor AWD units in inventory that would allow customers to redirect their transfer to an alternative in-stock vehicle.
Seemingly to mitigate disappointment, Tesla is offering a full refund, including the normally non-refundable $250 order fee.
This situation again highlights the dynamic, and sometimes unpredictable, nature of Tesla’s business strategy. On one hand, the changes may be aimed at optimizing logistics and finances, especially in light of the transition to a subscription model for a key technology. On the other hand, such abrupt rule adjustments, especially after buyers have already made choices based on them, undermine trust. The offer of a full refund, including the non-refundable fee, indicates the company is aware of the scale of dissatisfaction. However, for many enthusiasts who planned their purchases months in advance, this may not be enough, as they lose not only the opportunity to transfer an expensive option but also the fixed introductory price for the vehicle.
