Tesla’s summer 2025 updates bring Grok AI integration, pulsating Light Sync, and child-detection safety, but FSD woes and phantom braking persist. Here’s what’s new—and what still needs fixing.
Introduction
Tesla’s 2025.26 “summer update” and the widely deployed 2025.20.6 are packed with flashy features and critical safety upgrades, from an in-car Grok AI chatbot to child left-behind detection. Yet, beneath the glitz, Full Self-Driving (FSD) complaints fester, and legacy hardware owners feel left behind.
1. Tesla 2025.26 Update: Night Drives Get a Grok-Powered Glow-Up
Grok AI (Beta): Your Sarcastic Co-Pilot
- What it does: Tesla’s xAI-powered chatbot answers queries (e.g., “Find vegan restaurants”) but can’t control car functions (no climate/navigation commands).
- Catch: U.S.-only, AMD-chip vehicles. Excludes Canada, Intel CPU owners.
- User reaction: Mixed. “Cool, but why can’t it lower my AC?”
Light Sync: Tesla’s Disco Mode
- Syncs interior lights to music beats and album art colors.
- Available for: 2026 Model S/X, Cybertruck, new Model 3/Y.
- Criticism: “Prioritizing rave lights over blind-spot alerts?”
Other Key Features
| Feature | Details | User Gripes |
|---|---|---|
| Multi Audio Presets | Save custom EQ settings (bass-heavy for music, balanced for podcasts). | “Finally!” |
| Dashcam Upgrades | Zoom, playback speed controls; Cybertruck gets multi-camera grid view. | “Still can’t read license plates.” |
| Supercharger Intel | Shows valet requirements, restroom access, parking fees on arrival. | “Long overdue.” |
2. 2025.20.6 Update: Safety First (But Only in Europe?)
Child Left-Behind Detection
- How it works: Uses cabin radar (no data sent to Tesla) to detect kids. Triggers flashing lights, alarms, and app alerts.
- Rollout: Europe-wide, still MIA in North America.
- Why it matters: Addresses tragic hot-car incidents but lags behind rivals like Hyundai/Kia’s ultrasonic sensors.
Widely Deployed Fixes
- Unlatch charge cable via door handle.
- Supercharging Live Activity (real-time status on iPhone).
Bug Watchlist
- Black patches on nav maps (Highland Model 3).
- Backup camera failures (HW3 owners). Fix: Reset Driver Assistance in service mode.
3. FSD: Two Steps Forward, One Lane Change Back
Top User Complaints
- “FSD’s ADHD Lane Changes”: Swerves unnecessarily near exits.
- Phantom Braking: Sudden stops with no obstacles.
- Speed Control: Slows randomly or ignores limit changes.
- Stalk Stripped: Newer models lose quick TACC/Autosteer toggle.
User Workarounds
- Create separate profiles (one for FSD, one for Autosteer).
- Manual override: “I disengage FSD on highways—it’s exhausting.”
FSD Satisfaction Poll (Community Sentiment)
| Response | % of Users | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Regret Purchase | 45% | “$12,000 for stress?” |
| Daily Driver | 30% | “Works great on long trips.” |
| Meh | 25% | “It’s beta—what did you expect?” |
4. The Elephant in the Cybertruck: What’s Still Broken
Most Requested Fixes
- Auto Wipers: “Dry wiping since 2018!” (Rain sensor plea).
- Intel CPU Sluggishness: Older cars lag with new updates.
- Functional Ambient Lights: “Blind-spot alerts > disco mode.”
- Spotify/Bluetooth: Skipping songs, messaging delays.
5. The Road Ahead: Tesla’s Tightrope Walk
- Q3 2025: Grok expansion? FSD v13.3 tweaks?
- North America’s Child Detection: “Why the delay?”
- Legacy Hardware Support: Will Intel/HW3 get Grok?
Final Thought:
Tesla’s updates dazzle with AI and ambiance, but core functionality gaps risk alienating loyalists. For $12,000, FSD should feel autonomous—not like a teenager’s driving test.
Poll: Which update feature excites you most?
✅ Grok AI
✅ Light Sync
✅ Child Detection
✅ “Just fix the wipers!”