Full FeedSay “Buy-bye” to analog OnStar in 2008
OnStar is going to go all-digital sometime down the road, leaving any analog system users out of luck. The change primarily affects anyone who owns a pre-2002 GM vehicle, some 2002-2004 GM vehicles and some Acura, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen vehicles with built-in OnStar. It’s a result of a small 2002 FCC decision allowing cell phone companies to shut down analog networks beginning February 2008. Dealers will upgrade some GM 2002-2004 if customers buy a three-year subscription at $199 a year. Otherwise, analog OnStar users will need to convert to digital equipment, if it is even possible for their vehicle. About half of OnStar’s 4 million subscribers still drive vehicles that cannot be upgraded. And, oh yeah, the FCC decision will affect cell phone users, too. At least a cell phone can easily be replaced - Hey, it’s yet another reason to keep readin’ Gadgetell!
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Shame on VW and OnStar…I think this is a complete scam! Both VW and OnStar knew about the FCC ruling in 2002 but conituned to place analog systems in cars well after that. I bought my Passat in 2004 and it is covered bumper to bumper well after 2008.
I’ve contacted VW of America, OnStar, BBB, CA State Attorney General, CA Arbitration and Certification Prog. and have gotten absolutely no help whatsoever.
I was not made aware of this at the time I purchased my car and I up for class action if anyone could help me with that.
Matt Donars
on January 29, 2007 at 11:17 PM - LINKI completely agree with your comments.
The truth of the matter is that though the FCC’s ruling is tough on GM, GM has an obligation to its customers. Currently GM is offering no compensation nor is it offering alternatives to onstar subscribers whose operating system can not be upgraded. In short this is a breach of contract and this obvious situation of built in obsolescence being perpetrated by GM for its own capital gain for over 2 years and should be prosecutable. Can anyone say… “class action lawsuit.” For all those drivers of obsolescent onstar vehicles your cars have now been devalued. So who really loses, GM, I don’t think so. We the consumers’ get screwed again.
Movement towards a class action lawsuit or pressure to produce an amicable solution is necessary.
on January 31, 2007 at 11:58 PM - LINKworse yet, you will begin losing analog tower access **NOW**, long before the first of 2008; and there’s nothing you can do; Onstar itself was not aware why I could not reach them, make calls, or get emergency assistance; they thought it was my system, but after further investigation, they confirmed it is a lack of analog tower access right here in little spfd, mo
Onstar needs to tell its customers it is not a date when service stops, it is a many month long progressive loss of service…
on February 2, 2007 at 12:23 AM - LINKHi
I am up for class action lawsuit. I did not know about this until after I purchased a 2004 Acura two weeks ago. Not the Salesman, Nor Acura told me about this. I tried to subscribe to onstar after a week and that is when they said you cannot extend the contract after Jan 2008. I then received a mail from Mercedes Benz 2003 model asking me to Upgrade my Telematics system on their vehicle. That is when it struck me that I have cars that is going to be devalued severly. I will support and join hands in any class action law suit that we need to go through to make GM, onstar, FCC (if needed), Acura and the rest of the car owners to provide a solution for our cars which has their manufacturer warranty runs well into the 2008 or after.
Thanks
on February 2, 2007 at 11:48 PM - LINKLaxmi
We bought a new Subaru with installed Onstar in 2003. Of course, not a word from either the dealer, or OnStar, about the service going away in 2008. An email to Subaru got this response:
“Subaru of America will contact customers with those models in prior to January 1st of 2008 to notify them in advance of the termination of their OnStar service to prevent any harzardous situations. At that time, Subaru will notify the affected customers of any available options, if any, for vehicles that are equipped with analog technology. “
If any other soon-to-be obsolete Subaru owners read this, lets get together and start exerting some kind of pressure on subaru to offer us a more reasonable solution, long before the Jan 2008 deadline.
Contact me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
on February 7, 2007 at 06:28 PM - LINKI own a 2004 Passatiwth an On Star system. On Star sent me an email saying that VW has refused to cooperate with them in upgrading to their digitalequipment!! I tired to contact VW they have nort replied. Has anyone heard any thing as to what VW is going to do to fix this issue?
on February 9, 2007 at 11:48 PM - LINKI’m no fan of GM, and I’m not a guy who is brand loyal to anything. I’ve bought new cars from just about every major car manufacturer. BUT, the dealer who sold me my brand-new Tahoe in ‘01 gave me full disclosure that the vehicle I was buying had analog On-Star equipment and that a digital changeover was going to happen “around 2005.”
on February 12, 2007 at 04:28 AM - LINKI own a 2002 Chevy Avalanche and just received a letter about not having OnStar service in 2008. I think that what they are doing is unacceptable and I am ready to talk to a lawyer if they don’t do something about it. I bought this vehicle to pull a camper and the feature was a strong selling point. I already contacted the number provided to me in the letter and I spoke to an OnStar advisor, who then forwarded me to a GM Customer Service rep who told me that I need to write to FORMAL COMPLAINTS at PO Box 33170, Detroit Michigan, 48232-5170.
on February 12, 2007 at 04:38 AM - LINKI think Passat’s really suck if you ask me, they are way over priced and have horrible gas mileage.
on February 12, 2007 at 10:33 PM - LINKThis is terrible news. When the mystery red light goes on and I panic, who am I going to call to tell me that my gas cap is lose?
on February 19, 2007 at 01:42 AM - LINKJust got off the phone with Verizon. They sent a letter stating they will no longer provide service to both of my analog phones in my vehicles. I spoke to a Loyalty Team member at Verizon and she stated they were not in the business of replacing phones built into the vehicles, but would just issue cheap hand held models. Well you know where I’m going with my SERVICE & LOYALTY.
on February 24, 2007 at 05:56 AM - LINKRichard Log onto http://www.bluecarphone.com This unit will let you go to any cell phone service provider and feel like you still have your car phone and many more features to make it easier to talk and drive as long as you have a bluetooth phone contact me ill tell you what phone works best with kit.
on March 8, 2007 at 06:03 AM - LINKI also have a 2004 Passat. the deciding factor in buying it was the OnStar system. I also have received no satisfaction from OnStar or the dealer. I would love to join in a class action Lawsuit. Does anyone know how we begin?
on March 8, 2007 at 11:46 PM - LINKI agree with these comments. I bought a 2004 A6 with Onstar. I tried to activate the system and was told that it would not longer work after December 31st and that my system was not upgradeable. The onstar spokesperson, in contrast to some of the comments, however was excellent. He gave me my onstar service for free, since I was a new customer. But then he mentioned that I might need to upgrade my car. The first part was excellent - but the second part was not a practical suggestion.
Is there an aftermarket system that can replace it?
on March 12, 2007 at 02:38 AM - LINKonstar knew back in 2002 that the analog system would become obsolete but kept on installing the analog units for two more years. dont back down hold their feet to the fire make them upgrade their vehicles. how about some enterprizing class action firms out there. time to take gm and onstar to task.
on March 13, 2007 at 10:29 PM - LINKI am more than a little pissed!! We purchased our truck w Onstar, spending more than we had planned, partly because my husband frequently travels alone on back roads and it gave us a sense of security knowing SOMEONE would know if there was trouble. There was no mention of a change in the system.
on March 14, 2007 at 06:17 PM - LINKOur letter cancelling service indicates we should purchase a newer model - i think not!! who is to say it will work in 5 years! We have been loyal GM buyers for years but this shows total disregard for their clients. And it is so nice of htem to continue taking our money each month! Class action - good idea!
I purchased a certified 2001 Seville in 2004 and neither the Cadillac dealer *nor* Onstar (when I activated the system) bothered to tell me at the time that the analog ruling had already been made in 2002. The dealer was happy to sell me the car and make a profit, OnStar was happy to sign me up for a plan and push for the more expensive ones, plus activating the calling minutes, so I feel I was not adequately informed. So, yes, the OnStar was one of several reasons I purchased the car I did and I think that Cadillac, even if not required by the FTC, should retrofit earlier models with digital technology.
Just My $.02—oh, and yes, class action may just do the trick and I’m for it.
on March 15, 2007 at 09:54 PM - LINKYou would think that with all the business that OnStar will lose, that GM would at least offer a retro-fit. I called OnStar after getting their notice and they told me that would be to costly to do. I am assuming that if you did not get the “Letter”, that your vehicle is equiped with the digital system (or a system that will accept digital when the time comes. I also suggested that they stop billing me and just give me the service until it runs out. Do I even have to tell you what they said. Hey, it was worth a shot.
on March 16, 2007 at 02:11 AM - LINKI’m in the same boat. Bought a 2003 Acura brand new and was not informed of the analog system nor the ruling by either OnStar or Acura. I sank a good chunk of upgrade cash into the car because I figured this was a car I would keep 10 years instead of trading in. The OnStar was a major selling point as a single female driving a lot at night. Class action - yep. I don’t always agree with the concept, but when all involved parties knew this was coming and offered zero mitigation (disclosure - we can’t all remember everything said on the news!), I think we have a case. I want the cash value of the OnStar system back in my pocket plus an extended warranty for any repairs it might cause in the future… or an upgrade to allow me to continue the service.
on March 16, 2007 at 05:00 AM - LINKClass Action Lawsuit, YES! If anyone hears of any progress in this department, PLEASE email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) as we are definitely IN!
on March 17, 2007 at 02:19 AM - LINKSelling hardware in a car advertised as a SAFETY feature and then allowing it to be cut-off is unthinkable, unprofessional, and immoral. If it was not advertised as a SAFETY feature, it would be different, but the ads from then until presently are all about SAFETY. I have health problems, and must have immediate access to hospitals, no matter where I travel, and OnStar provided this service. But now they choose to not upgrade my hardware, and in the process, are pocketing upwards of 1.2 BILLION in profits.
We used to be total GM people, and have 3 GM vehicles. But NOW, I’m out.
Kristin McAllister
I own a 2003 Acura with Onstar. It is outrageous that GM and Acura are not at least offering a retrofit kit for these systems. Let’s face it, it’s not as if it can’t be done. They would just prefer we trade up to a new vehicle.
I’m in for a class action suit.
on March 17, 2007 at 05:55 PM - LINKI agree with you. I have a 2000 Cadi with Onstar. The Onstar was recalled a few years back to be upgraded at that time. Now I get a letter thanking me for years of loyal service, but that they are terminating my Onstar as of December 31, 2007. BUT, I am welcome to shop numerous 2006 or 2007 GM vehicles. Yeah, right!
on March 17, 2007 at 08:35 PM - LINKI am a widow in my seventies and own a 2003 Buick Ultra PA which I purchased mainly because of the OnStar safety system which was standard equipment on this car. I,too, have been informed I will lose this system as of January l, 2008. I was never informed that this system woud be obsolete by OnStar, GM, the dealer or salesperson. In this worl of advanced technology I will not believe this system cannot be upgraded. This is out and out consumer fraud and I, too, am all for joining a class action lawsuit against these unscrupulous giants. Over 500,000 of us are involved. let’s get together and fight.
on March 20, 2007 at 09:01 AM - LINKI just got my letter from Onstar today, and was never informed by the dealership of the outdate problem. I called Onstar customer service and spoke to 3 agents there, called GM in Detroit and even the dealership. No one wants to do anything but offer to sell me a new GM vehicle and give me a free year of Onstar. They uped the auntie and offered $500 of Onstar on a new GM vehilce. They have the gall to think I am stupid enough to buy another GM vehilce after this!!! Forget customer loyalty! Forget brand loyalty! I may never buy a GM vehicle again. Class action suit anyone?
on March 27, 2007 at 12:01 PM - LINKI bought a 2004 Subaru Outback in Sept. of 2003 (OnStar option was a deciding factor). Just spoke to someone at Subaru of America that didn’t want to offer any more information other than, “Wait to receive a mailer from OnStar to learn your options”. I called OnStar and they confirmed by VIN that my model cannot be retrofitted for digital service. All they said was sorry and made no mention of any deal for us unfortunate (analog only) people. The salesman at the dealership clearly hid the fact that I’m about to pay a premium price for an option that will be rendered useless in the near future. Recently, I went to the same dealer to look at 2007 models, thinking about trading in the 2004. I learned they don’t offer OnStar anymore (last year for Subaru was 2004), the salesman wouldn’t say why, only mentioning they offer satellite radio instead. My wife and I like and use the OnStar feature, so we didn’t buy the car. I’m betting lots of people buying these cars used from dealers and previous owners are going to get a big surprise from not-so-honest sellers. And another thing, just last week I purchased enough hands-free minutes that would last me well into 2008. The OnStar rep didn’t say a word. Burned again. Too pissed to elaborate more. Thinking class action about now.
on March 27, 2007 at 09:24 PM - LINK