Tesla is under scrutiny in France as government regulators have ordered the automaker to halt what they describe as “deceptive commercial practices” related to the marketing of its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. The country’s consumer protection agency, DGCCRF (Directorate General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Prevention), announced the enforcement action on June 24, 2025, after concluding a multi-year investigation.
According to the agency, Tesla France misled consumers about the true capabilities of its driver-assistance systems, promoted vehicle options that were not available, and failed to meet legal obligations around order cancellations, receipts, and delivery information.
The company has been given four months to comply with French regulations or face fines of €50,000 (C$79,700/US$58,000) for every day the violations continue. (via Reuters)
Marketing Claims Under Scrutiny
The main point of contention is Tesla’s use of the term “Full Self-Driving” to describe a feature that currently operates at SAE Level 2 — meaning it still requires constant driver supervision. French authorities say this terminology, combined with promotional messaging, gave customers the false impression that Tesla vehicles could drive autonomously without human intervention.
Tesla has faced similar regulatory challenges in other markets. In 2020, Germany’s competition authority filed suit over comparable advertising claims. Although Tesla won its appeal in that case, scrutiny has only grown as more governments reevaluate how autonomous systems are communicated to the public.
Broader Consumer Issues
The DGCCRF’s investigation, launched in 2023 following a flood of consumer complaints, revealed additional violations beyond the FSD marketing. These included:
- Delayed refunds for canceled orders.
- Missing receipts for cash payments.
- Incomplete sales contracts, notably lacking the time, date, or location of delivery.
- Misleading vehicle trade-in offers not honoured as advertised.
France’s action comes as Tesla faces increasing pressure in Europe, where sales have fallen sharply. In May 2025, Tesla’s vehicle deliveries in France dropped by 67% compared to the same month a year earlier, according to data from the country’s automobile industry group (PFA).
Tesla has not publicly responded to the French government’s latest enforcement action.
Other Legal Issues in France
In a separate but related development, a group of French Tesla owners has filed a lawsuit claiming the value of their vehicles has dropped due to Elon Musk’s controversial political affiliations, particularly his ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump and public support for far-right parties in Europe. Some plaintiffs allege their cars have become targets for vandalism as a result.
What Comes Next
Unless Tesla updates its marketing and sales practices to comply with French law by October 2025, it will begin incurring substantial daily fines. The case could have ripple effects across the European Union as regulators in other countries examine similar concerns over how advanced driver-assistance systems are advertised.
