Tesla has officially addressed the recent speculation surrounding the appearance of a mysterious “Hardware 4.5” upgrade in new Model Y vehicles, clarifying that it was simply a labeling mix-up. The clarification came on January 28, 2026, with Tesla reaching out to customers through sales advisors to confirm that the “AP45” markings found on some Autopilot computers do not represent new hardware.
Prominent Tesla news aggregator Sawyer Merritt reported the update, stating that Tesla has acknowledged the mislabeling of ‘AP45’ and clarified that all vehicles delivered currently have AI4 (HW4) hardware. Tesla has since removed all references to HW4.5 from its public parts catalog to eliminate any confusion moving forward.
The confusion arose when owners in Fremont and Austin noticed “AP45” stickers on their Autopilot units, leading to speculation about a potential hardware refresh featuring a new three-chip architecture. However, Tesla has attributed the designation to a “temporary formatting error” between manufacturing teams.
The focus for Tesla remains on the upcoming AI5 processor, with executives highlighting the strength of the current fleet during the Q4 2025 earnings call. CEO Elon Musk confirmed that the design for AI5 is nearly complete, but volume production is not expected until mid-2027. Despite the buzz surrounding HW4.5, new buyers are receiving the standard, proven Hardware 4 system, with Tesla committed to updating all labels to prevent further confusion.
In conclusion, Tesla has put an end to the speculation surrounding Hardware 4.5 in new Model Y vehicles, confirming that it was a simple labeling mix-up. The company continues to focus on the development of the AI5 processor for future autonomous progress, with AI4 (HW4) hardware already equipped in millions of existing vehicles. Customers can rest assured that they are receiving the standard Hardware 4 system, with any confusion regarding HW4.5 being addressed and rectified by Tesla.