diff --git a/pkg/features/kube_features.go b/pkg/features/kube_features.go
index 69885ec3c5b..570f41836e0 100644
--- a/pkg/features/kube_features.go
+++ b/pkg/features/kube_features.go
@@ -280,7 +280,7 @@ const (
 	// kep: https://kep.k8s.io/1610
 	// alpha: v1.20
 	// beta:  v1.27
-	// beta:  v1.30
+	// GA:  v1.30
 	//
 	// Add support for the HPA to scale based on metrics from individual containers
 	// in target pods
@@ -995,7 +995,7 @@ var defaultKubernetesFeatureGates = map[featuregate.Feature]featuregate.FeatureS
 
 	GracefulNodeShutdownBasedOnPodPriority: {Default: true, PreRelease: featuregate.Beta},
 
-	HPAContainerMetrics: {Default: true, PreRelease: featuregate.GA},
+	HPAContainerMetrics: {Default: true, PreRelease: featuregate.GA, LockToDefault: true}, // remove in 1.32
 
 	HonorPVReclaimPolicy: {Default: false, PreRelease: featuregate.Alpha},
 
diff --git a/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/strategy.go b/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/strategy.go
index 59cc45f647b..8558440f7aa 100644
--- a/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/strategy.go
+++ b/pkg/registry/autoscaling/horizontalpodautoscaler/strategy.go
@@ -65,7 +65,12 @@ func (autoscalerStrategy) GetResetFields() map[fieldpath.APIVersion]*fieldpath.S
 }
 
 // PrepareForCreate clears fields that are not allowed to be set by end users on creation.
-func (autoscalerStrategy) PrepareForCreate(ctx context.Context, obj runtime.Object) {}
+func (autoscalerStrategy) PrepareForCreate(ctx context.Context, obj runtime.Object) {
+	newHPA := obj.(*autoscaling.HorizontalPodAutoscaler)
+
+	// create cannot set status
+	newHPA.Status = autoscaling.HorizontalPodAutoscalerStatus{}
+}
 
 // Validate validates a new autoscaler.
 func (autoscalerStrategy) Validate(ctx context.Context, obj runtime.Object) field.ErrorList {
@@ -88,7 +93,12 @@ func (autoscalerStrategy) AllowCreateOnUpdate() bool {
 }
 
 // PrepareForUpdate clears fields that are not allowed to be set by end users on update.
-func (autoscalerStrategy) PrepareForUpdate(ctx context.Context, obj, old runtime.Object) {}
+func (autoscalerStrategy) PrepareForUpdate(ctx context.Context, obj, old runtime.Object) {
+	newHPA := obj.(*autoscaling.HorizontalPodAutoscaler)
+	oldHPA := old.(*autoscaling.HorizontalPodAutoscaler)
+	// Update is not allowed to set status
+	newHPA.Status = oldHPA.Status
+}
 
 // ValidateUpdate is the default update validation for an end user.
 func (autoscalerStrategy) ValidateUpdate(ctx context.Context, obj, old runtime.Object) field.ErrorList {