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Tesla HW4 computers are failing just as FSD 13 is rolling out to AI4 vehicles

Tesla's HW4 computers are failing prematurely (Image source: Munro Live/YouTube)
Tesla's HW4 computers are failing prematurely (Image source: Munro Live/YouTube)
Tesla's rolling upgrades that often see new batches of the same vehicle model having newer and better hardware may be behind the recent self-driving computer failure phenomenon.

While owners of Tesla vehicles who are on older HW3 computers are still waiting with bated breath for the "much updated" FSD 12.6 version, the sliver of people driving around with newer HW4 cars are getting the latest FSD 13.2.1 already.

There is a fly in that ointment, though, as buyers of the newest Tesla vehicles coming out of the factory with an unannounced HW4 computer upgrade, dubbed AI4.1, are seeing them short-circuit and die down shortly after purchase.

In some case, the new AI4 computer gives up the ghost after several hundred miles, rendering not only the FSD feature, but the cameras and GPS navigation hence range estimates unavailable, too.

Those who tipped about the problem say it is rather widespread and Tesla's service team is getting many alerts about it. The culprit might be the low-voltage system that is essentially frying the new HW4 system boards during the camera calibration process.

It is not yet known what causes the short-circuiting that makes AI4.1 computers in Teslas produced during the last few months fail, but it could be a production problem. If so, it will end up with a recall for complete unit replacement, despite that Tesla is reportedly trying to delay the inevitable with a software fix.

Besides faster AI calculations, Tesla's HW4 computer doesn't have all that many other advantages before the HW3 unit. The ultimate goal seems to have been to save on production costs, as HW4 offers less RAM and storage, at least on the Model Y and Model 3, as well as a higher power consumption when idle.

Tesla may have tried to push the cost savings envelope a bit too far with the AI4.1 edition of the computer, and it may have finally torn at the weakest point.

Elon Musk promised that Tesla will upgrade all HW3 computers with AI4 units for free if it can't make FSD 13 run on them. With the AI4 computer running amok, this doesn't sound as such good news as when the retrofit was announced.

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> Expert Reviews and News on Laptops, Smartphones and Tech Innovations > News > News Archive > Newsarchive 2024 12 > Tesla HW4 computers are failing just as FSD 13 is rolling out to AI4 vehicles
Daniel Zlatev, 2024-12-17 (Update: 2024-12-17)