Introduction
Tesla has recently confirmed a significant update to its Full Self-Driving (FSD) Supervised system, addressing driver complaints about overly sensitive inattentiveness alerts. This change, rolled out with FSD version 13.2.9, aims to improve the user experience while maintaining safety standards. The update responds to feedback from Tesla owners and aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to refine its advanced driver assistance system (ADAS).
Background on FSD’s Driver Monitoring System
Tesla’s FSD (Supervised) is classified as a Level 2 ADAS, requiring drivers to remain attentive despite the system’s ability to handle tasks like navigation and lane changes. Unlike earlier versions that relied on steering wheel sensors, FSD now uses a cabin-facing camera to monitor driver attentiveness through eye movements. If the system detects inattention—such as looking away from the road—it issues a warning, or “nudge,” to refocus the driver. Repeated inattention can result in a temporary suspension of FSD for the remainder of the drive, known as an “Autopilot Strikeout.”
However, many drivers found the system overly sensitive, issuing alerts for brief glances at the center touchscreen to adjust settings like HVAC or Autopilot speed offsets. Some reported that warnings appeared in as little as seven seconds, disrupting the driving experience and prompting complaints across platforms like X.
Tesla’s Response and Fix
Following vocal feedback from owners, Tesla revised the driver monitoring system (DMS) in FSD version 13.2.9, reducing the sensitivity of inattentiveness alerts. Ashok Elluswamy, Tesla’s Vice President of AI and Autopilot Software, confirmed this undocumented change, noting it as a step toward balancing safety and usability. The update allows drivers more flexibility to interact with the vehicle’s touchscreen for tasks like adjusting speed or navigation without triggering immediate warnings.
Elon Musk acknowledged the issue during Tesla’s Q1 2025 Earnings Call, agreeing that the previous DMS was too strict and could paradoxically encourage unsafe behavior, such as disengaging FSD to make adjustments manually. The fix, initially rolled out to vehicles with Hardware 4 (AI4), addresses these concerns by loosening the vision-based monitoring parameters, making the system less punitive for brief interactions.
Context and Broader Implications
This update is part of Tesla’s broader push to refine FSD as it works toward unsupervised self-driving capabilities. Ashok Elluswamy has previously stated that unsupervised FSD requires an average of 700,000 miles between critical interventions, equivalent to human-driven collision rates, per NHTSA data. Current FSD versions, like 13.2.9, achieve approximately 495 miles between critical disengagements, indicating significant progress but also a gap to close.
The change also reflects Tesla’s responsiveness to user feedback, as complaints about the DMS surged on platforms like X. The adjustment aligns with Tesla’s spring 2025 software update (2025.14.6), which includes additional features like adaptive headlights, dashcam improvements, and alternative trip routing. However, the focus on Hardware 4 vehicles suggests that Hardware 3 (HW3) owners may experience delays in receiving similar updates, as HW3 requires separate optimization. Elon Musk has assured that if HW3 cannot support unsupervised FSD, Tesla will upgrade affected vehicles to AI4 at no cost to owners who purchased the FSD package.
Conclusion
Tesla’s update to the FSD inattentiveness monitoring system demonstrates its commitment to addressing driver feedback while advancing autonomous driving technology. By refining the balance between safety and usability, Tesla is paving the way for a more seamless FSD experience. As the company continues to iterate on FSD, particularly for Hardware 4 vehicles, owners can expect further improvements that bring Tesla closer to its autonomous driving goals.
