Tesla just rolled out its latest Autopilot software update, and drivers across America are NOT happy about it.
The company began pushing version 12.5 to thousands of vehicles this week, promising smoother lane changes and sharper object detection.
Instead, owners are flooding social media with complaints about aggressive braking, phantom warnings, and a nag screen that won't quit.
The drama centers on what Tesla calls "enhanced nagging." The system now watches your eyes more closely through the cabin camera and fires off louder alerts if you glance away for more than a couple of seconds.
Critics say it's basically a backseat driver that never sleeps.
One Reddit thread titled "I can't even change my radio station anymore" racked up thousands of upvotes overnight.
Tesla hasn't confirmed whether older hardware can even run the new features.
Owners of 2021 and 2022 models report that some promised upgrades simply never arrived, leaving them stuck with the old software while newer cars get all the goodies.
That's a tough pill to swallow when you dropped serious cash on a vehicle that was supposed to improve over time.
They argue that the name "Autopilot" still misleads people into thinking the car drives itself, even though Tesla's manual clearly states drivers must stay alert.
Federal regulators have already been sniffing around Tesla's driver-assist tech for years, and this update gives them fresh ammunition.
Expect more hearings, more headlines, and more awkward statements from Tesla's legal team.
If you own a newer Tesla with the latest hardware, the update does feel like a genuine step forward.
Lane changes are smoother, and the car reads construction zones better than before.
But if you're on older hardware, you might want to hold off and let the early adopters absorb the growing pains.
Tesla keeps selling a vision of hands-free driving that's always just around the corner, and every botched rollout chips away at that promise.
They're asking for software that works the way it was advertised.
Our take: Tesla makes genuinely impressive tech, but shipping half-baked updates to paying customers is a bad look.
If you're considering a Tesla for its driver-assist features, test drive the current software yourself before signing anything.
Final Thoughts
And if you already own one, maybe wait a week or two before hitting that download button.