Tesla has rolled out a new software update, version 2026.2.9, which brings subtle but significant changes to the naming conventions of certain driver assistance features. This update comes as a direct response to a legal challenge in California that mandated compliance regarding the marketing of the company’s advanced driving systems.
Mandatory Name Changes Following Legal Scrutiny
The software update, which began deploying last week, primarily addresses the terminology used within Tesla vehicles. In its release notes, the company clarified the nature of these changes: “This change only updates the name of certain features and text in your vehicle, and does not change the way your features behave.”
This action was precipitated by a directive from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The state agency had previously threatened a 30-day sales suspension for Tesla in California, citing non-compliance in how the company marketed its automated driving features. The DMV confirmed on February 18 that a “corrective action” had been agreed upon to resolve the issue.
Specific Feature Renaming Detailed
The core of the update involves the renaming of two prominent driver assistance features:
- Navigate on Autopilot has been officially renamed to Navigate on Autosteer.
- The FSD Computer is now referred to as the AI Computer.
These alterations aim to align Tesla’s in-vehicle terminology with regulatory expectations, particularly concerning terms that could imply a higher level of automation than currently available or legally approved in certain jurisdictions.
Background of the California DMV Action
The dispute in California intensified in January when Tesla reportedly discontinued its standalone Autopilot offering, focusing marketing efforts on Full Self-Driving Supervised. Tesla North America stated on the social platform X that the naming issue was a “consumer protection” order, asserting that “not one single customer came forward to say there’s a problem.”
This was a “consumer protection” order about the use of the term “Autopilot” in a case where not one single customer came forward to say there’s a problem. Sales in California will continue uninterrupted.
— Tesla North America (@tesla_na) December 17, 2025
Following the agreement with the California DMV, Tesla’s sales in the state are expected to continue without interruption. The company has now implemented the necessary changes to comply with the DMV’s directive.
Broader Scrutiny of Tesla’s Autonomy Terminology
This is not the first instance of scrutiny regarding Tesla’s nomenclature for its driver assistance systems. The naming of Full Self-Driving (FSD) has also faced criticism at the federal level, with some government officials, including former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, expressing concerns that terms like “Autopilot” and “Full Self-Driving” could be perceived as “deceptive.”
Tesla has reportedly taken legal action, suing the California DMV over the earlier ruling. The company’s stance suggests a belief that the terminology, while potentially misleading to some, accurately reflects the system’s capabilities and is not actively causing customer detriment.
The recent software update signifies Tesla’s effort to navigate these regulatory challenges while continuing to deploy its advanced driver-assistance technologies. The company’s ability to adapt its communication strategies will be crucial as autonomous driving features evolve and face increasing oversight globally.