Buyer Beware: Tesla Delivers New Model Y Without Autopilot – What Happened?
Hey everyone, DennisCW here. If you're in the market for a new Tesla, this story might make you think twice. A Reddit user named David shared a shocking experience: he took delivery of a brand-new Model Y ordered on December 21st, but Autopilot was completely missing from the menu. Instead, it only showed basic cruise control and an option for Full Self-Driving (FSD). This is alarming, especially since orders from that time should include Autopilot as standard.
The Reddit Thread That Caught My Eye
David posted this in the Tesla Lounge subreddit. Here's the key quote:
"Bought a Model Y, didn't come with autopilot, only cruise control, or full self-driving."
He even shared screenshots: his order confirmation from December clearly lists Autopilot. But on the car's screen at delivery? No Autopilot toggle in sight. Just this:
(Check the full Reddit thread for the images.)
My Take: Glitch or Intentional Change?
I suspect this could be a glitch. Tesla has been rolling out menu changes lately – they've killed free Autopilot on new orders to push FSD subscriptions or purchases. But for pre-cutoff orders like David's? Autopilot should be there.
A few possibilities:
- Soft reset fix: Hold both scroll wheels on the steering wheel to reboot the system. Sometimes FSD trials or menu glitches hide features.
- New menu logic: If the car has FSD capability, Autopilot might be bundled and hidden until the trial ends.
- Worst case: Tesla isn't honoring older orders. If that's true, this is a huge red flag – potential class-action lawsuit material.
If this happened to you, drop a comment below or hit me up. Have you experienced Autopilot vanishing at delivery? Let's discuss!
Another Delivery Nightmare: Bricked Model Y Performance
Speaking of delivery issues, viewer Jeremiah shared how his Model Y Performance arrived completely bricked. "Pull over immediately" warnings everywhere – undrivable.
Turned out? A Tesla-certified XPEL tint shop might have caused it. Too much water during install damaged a connector. Tesla fixed it, but lesson learned:
Tint Shop Tips
- Don't trust "certified" alone. Check Yelp reviews and Tesla-specific experience.
- Skip newbies – even certified shops might lack volume.
My go-to? OC Tint Solutions in Anaheim and Costa Mesa. Owner Jason specializes in Teslas (he's done all of mine!). Ask for the DennisCW deal for hookup pricing. [Link in bio/description]. We just tinted our Model Y Performance there – perfect job.
Must-Have for New Tesla Owners: 3W Liners Floor Mats
One thing your new Tesla won't come with? Proper all-weather floor mats. After testing 3D Maxpider, Tesmanian, Amazon knockoffs, and more, 3W Liners are my top pick.
- Installed in my Model X, Model 3, Model Y, and Cybertruck.
- Perfect fit, durable, under $100 with our code.
Use promo code DENNISCW for 25% off – supports the channel! Check them out here.
Final Thoughts
Tesla deliveries can be hit-or-miss lately. Inspect everything at pickup, and push back if features are missing. Stay safe out there, and let me know your stories in the comments.
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-DennisCW


