Tesla accused of selling FSD to Korean owners who can’t legally use it

A South Korean consumer group is accusing Tesla of selling "Full Self-Driving" (FSD) to customers whose cars cannot legally use it. The group, Citizens United for Consumer Sovereignty, plans to file a complaint with the Korea Fair Trade Commission, citing that 99% of Tesla vehicles sold in Korea are from China and lack FSD approval. The complaint alleges that Tesla marketed FSD as available to all buyers, despite the fact that only a small percentage of vehicles in Korea are eligible. Tesla Korea country manager Seo Young-deuk stated that FSD works on about 20% of registered cars in the country.

Tesla has sold over 170,000 Shanghai-built vehicles in Korea since 2023, with sales of these cars growing more than fivefold between 2023 and 2025. The group claims that Tesla knew the eligibility of its vehicles and still marketed FSD to all buyers. The complaint also states that Tesla charged a one-time fee of 9.043 million won (about $6,726) for FSD and later moved to a monthly subscription of 150,000 won ($112). The group wants the KFTC to temporarily stop marketing FSD for ineligible cars and impose fines.

The KFTC has already started investigating Tesla’s FSD advertising. Tesla did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The company only applied for certification about two weeks before the parliamentary hearing. The ministry stated that FSD does not comply with local safety rules, including the requirement that drivers keep their hands on the wheel. Despite this, sales of Tesla vehicles in Korea have increased, with Tesla becoming Korea’s top imported car brand. The group believes that Tesla’s marketing strategies have misled buyers, who are now facing legal issues.

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