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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I bought my 2004 Passat equipped with Onstar, which I have used on numerous occasions. Onstar and Volkswagen must show responsibility to their loyal customers by either continuing the service or upgrading the equipment that they advertised.
on March 29, 2007 at 08:22 PM - LINKI purchased a 2005 Cadillac CTS on February 10, 2007 and the dealership did tell me that an OnStar upgrade would be forthcoming. I have an appointment to take my car to the dealership on Thursday, April 5, 2007. I love my OnStar system and I cannot imagine living without it.
on April 3, 2007 at 08:45 PM - LINKAny vehicle that was sold after the 2002 FCC ruling should have come with a disclosure. Failure to disclose a known problem is fraud. Subaru KNEW the analog systems were already outdated. They should be held to task for this omission.
There are plenty of lawyers out there who want to make some money. Some enterprising barrister will come up witha class suit. Just be patient
on April 4, 2007 at 03:47 PM - LINKCount me in on any legal action. Just one more victim of this situation. I have an ‘04 Passat with OnStar or should I say NoStar.
on April 4, 2007 at 09:07 PM - LINK.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) E-mail address.
on April 4, 2007 at 09:32 PM - LINKClass action lawsuit located in PA
Here is all the info:
Press Release
Smolow & Landis, Trevose Pa
Re: OnStar Class Action
Trevose Pa. 3/28/2007. On Monday, March 26, 2007, Smolow & Landis, a consumer class action law firm based in Trevose, Pennsylvania, filed a class action lawsuit against OnStar Corporation and General Motors Corporation on behalf of OnStar subscribers, owners and lessees whose OnStar services are about to be terminated because their vehicles have analog OnStar equipment.
At the time of purchase or lease, OnStar and GM represented that OnStar was a unique in-vehicle safety system that provided automatic crash notification to emergency responders, stolen vehicle location, remote door unlock and remote diagnostics in the event of problems with airbags, anti-lock brakes or other systems.
OnStar and GM further represented that the OnStar system, like other vehicle safety systems, would function for the life of the vehicle:
The life-saving benefits of OnStar are intended not only for initial vehicle purchasers but also for subsequent owners over the life of the vehicle.
OnStar has notified OnStar owners and subscribers with analog equipment that based on design limitations, OnStar will terminate their service as of December 31, 2007. Further, that OnStar and GM will not provide repairs or upgrades. Consumers are being told that if they want to continue to receive OnStar service, they can purchase new vehicles with more up-to-date OnStar equipment.
Ronald Smolow, the plaintiffs’ lead attorney, says that: “OnStar and GM’s decision will expose thousands of OnStar customers to great risk of bodily injury and harm in the event of a crash. Without OnStar, there will be significant delays in emergency care during the crucial minutes following an accident. This delay will surely lead to an increase in permanent injuries and fatalities. OnStar and GM are about to strand hundreds of thousands of people without safety features that they thought would work for the life of their car. Its like being told that their airbags or seat belts won’t work after Dec 21, 2007—if they feel unsafe – then its time to buy a new car. This is an unfair and outrageous consumer tactic.”
In their lawsuit, Smolow & Landis are asking the court to certify a nationwide class of OnStar subscribers, owners, and lessees, and for the court to award damages and for injunctive relief to order OnStar and GM to provide repairs, upgrades or other means of obtaining OnStar service.
For more information contact:
on April 4, 2007 at 10:06 PM - LINKRonald Jay Smolow, Esq.
Smolow & Landis
Two Neshaminy Interplex
Trevose PA 19053
215-244-0880
I am interested in more information about the lawsuit. I have a 2001 cadillac, all paid for and with only 40,000 miles on it so I’m not ready to have to buy another at this time. I have already used the On Star in on auto accident when someone hit me and the reason I wanted the car in the first place was the assurance that this “safety feature” could save me and I could talk to a live person if I was in trouble or for any reason. This is so outrageous that this has been decided for all of us. What is it, like 2,000,000 people. Not to mention the Feds in their infinite wisdom sponsoring this whole debacle in the first place; like the 3 week early time change. Sincerely/Very Sincerely, Teresa Miller
on April 7, 2007 at 07:23 AM - LINKI am incredibly disappointed that my Onstar system in my 2004 Jetta will be no longer operable after this year. I use the system to get direction, quite regularly. As well, I often use the driving conditions feature and the reservation ability for movies and restaurants when I’m on the road. I believe the GM, Volkswagen and the industry have done an extreme disservice to loyal customers of Volkswagen and Onstar by not coming into some agreement to allow those of us who bought a car less than three years ago to not be able to use a prime selling feature. I think it stinks.
on April 7, 2007 at 06:51 PM - LINKWell I’ve taken this a step further by talking with CBS5.com investigative reporters in SF about the unfair advantage we who can not be retrofitted are in. Either buy a new car or loose what I consider a lifeline not to mention how devalued my car will be. I’ll probably be ostracized from eventually buying another cadi. too :-)
on April 10, 2007 at 11:38 PM - LINKI have a 2002 GMC Envoy and received a letter today that for $15 GM will convert my analog Onstar to digital. The only requirement is that I sign up for a year subscription to OnStar at regular price.
on April 11, 2007 at 02:31 AM - LINKGood for you Rich, I guess I’m just the unlucky one since I have a 2002 Avalanche and there is no conversion kit or adaptor for mine, just need to come up with another $40,000. for a new GM vehicle that is up to date according to the letter I received. NOT & NEVER AGAIN… And to think out of eight GM vehicles (owned) this would happen to be the one that I never had any problems with until now ! What a kick in the rear. Its time to move on to a better manufacture and customer service and throw loyalty out the window. Hey I hear real estate is really really cheap in Detroit and areas are even vacant. wonder why ?
on April 11, 2007 at 10:02 PM - LINKLongest and most dependable trucks on the road my A$$
on April 11, 2007 at 10:08 PM - LINKHello Everyone,
I my OnStar digital upgrade was done and is working successfully. I know that a lot of people are upset about the upgrade but truly it is not OnStar’s fault. If you are going to file a lawsuit it should be against the FCC and not OnStar or GM. The FCC governed the new regulations which will be effective in 2008.
on April 14, 2007 at 08:16 PM - LINKHello Everyone,
My OnStar digital upgrade was done and is working successfully. I know that a lot of people are upset about the upgrade but truly it is not OnStar’s fault. If you are going to file a lawsuit it should be against the FCC and not OnStar or GM. The FCC governed the new regulations which will be effective in 2008.
on April 14, 2007 at 08:18 PM - LINKWith all the hoopla - why doesn’t GM offer a “kit” to upgrade to digital service? When I inquired, they wrote me back saying they treid & could not! I sent to the NYS Attorney Generals Office - Mario Cuomo & was turned down. The letter stated for me to go after in small claims court. Would like to be a part of the class action law suit!
on April 16, 2007 at 02:40 PM - LINKMichael K….. There is no upgrade for certain vehicles, period. we are just SOL. There is a place on OFFSTARS website that you can put in your VIN # and it will tell you if you can get the updates or NOT (Analog only). And by the way the FCC has nothing to do with it. It is GM / Onstars choice not to keep the analog signal.
on April 16, 2007 at 10:55 PM - LINKMichael K—
on April 20, 2007 at 08:57 PM - LINKThe FCC isn’t responsible—in fact, the guideline was put out years ago, and OnStar continued to produce analog equipment, proferring that said equipment would provide safety coverage for the life of the vehicle.
The FCC did not issue a “RULING” it simply asked that companies change over to digital service. It was not a directive, but a suggestion. OnStar, given their refusal to supply service to customers, opted to shut them out in lieu of the changeover (which perhaps will become mandatory sometime in the future).
I am happy that you were among the few offered an upgrade. I am hopeful that OnStar/GM will offer the same upgrade to those of us that don’t have the seemingly “chosen” vehicles.
Read the ruling—OnStar had the option to keep the analog service. It is their CHOICE to shut us out.
—Kristin McAllister
I have a 2005 Pontiac G6 GT, equipped with Onstar. I am also seeking satisfaction for my situation. I was told by my GM dealer, I have to pay an additional $99 for upgrade. For a grand total of $399 to upgrade my ONStar system. The kit is $15, why can’t I install it myself and activate it? They want to lock us in for 1 year of service and pay additional money for activation. My car is digital ready so I can upgrade, but my car should have a digital receiver already. Because GM needed to clear out their remaining analog receiver’s, I should pay $400 to upgrade. I don’t think so.
on April 24, 2007 at 06:01 PM - LINKI think that quite a few posters don’t realize that it is not OnStar that is going dark. It is the wireless networks - Verizon, Sprint, Alltel, etc. The FCC decided in 2004 to allow these wireless providers to turn off analog service in 2008. Anyone with an analog phone, including OnStar subscribers, will be out of luck.
on April 25, 2007 at 03:55 PM - LINKThere was an article, that of course I can’t find again, that discussed how various advocacy groups (Women shelters and the like) were fighting this ruling because all those analog safety phones they distributed will no longer work. OnStar was one of the groups appealing the ruling.
I too like many others own a vehicle equipped with an analog only OnStar system. I am so disappointed in GM / OnStar lack of commitment to existing customers who have for only a few years trusted in the added safety and security of that system that I will never consider another GM product again. It is not that GM could not modify the existing systems it’s that the accountants counted the beans and they did not see big dollar profits. Well hope this costs them big dollars in the long run. I would also gladly join in any class action against GM.
on April 26, 2007 at 01:41 PM - LINKThis Matt Donars doesn’t have the facts stright here. On Star is providing a full refund on the product if you apply for dispute over the digital vs analog. I received a letter of credit from On Star, I filed a claim, sent a letter head and received a credit statement or a choice for a free upgrade to digital in 2008 or later this year. Matt, you don’t know what your talking about.
on April 27, 2007 at 10:20 AM - LINKBrad, did you have your attorney send the letter to ON Star? If what your saying is true, if I make some waves I can get my upgrade for free? Please reply, thanks. Also, did you pay for one year in advance, if you did the upgrade should only cost $15. Mine was more since I pay monthly, I don’t want to pay for a full year to get an upgrade+activation.
on April 27, 2007 at 03:21 PM - LINKGM is trying to do something, you are totally sol with acura, subaru and vw.
on April 29, 2007 at 11:13 PM - LINKIf any of you out there wants to make a fortune quickly, design a cheap digital to analog converter to fit GM cars. The technology already exists. We use it every day. Unfortunately, I’m not an EE.
on May 1, 2007 at 05:23 PM - LINKI just bought a 2002 Buick LeSabre Limited only to find out that OnStar ends 1/1/08 and my car “can’t be converted”. I don’t like the word “can’t”.
I bought a 2002 GMC Yukon XL in 2002. One of the reasons I bought this $50,000.00 plus vehicle was because of the safety factor I was told about (by the dealer)because I had OnStar. I am A dissabled person and often travel in remote areas that if I were involved in an crash I would be assured of someone being notified that could help. WELL now that I have spent much of my savings to get this WONDERFUL safe vehicle I cant even use the one feature that convinced me to buy the vehicle to begin with.
on May 1, 2007 at 09:50 PM - LINKI have contacted both OnStar and GMC and have been told that I am out of luck. I cant even buy a new OnStar system that is Digital and have it installed in my car.
I really feel that as a disabled American I have been taken advantage of by OnStar.It has become so unusable over the past several weeks that I can NOT even place a phone call because the carriers are all digital in my home area. I requested a refund for the remaining time from my 300 min package since I cant use it and was adsvised that refunda are not offered and that if I were able to be drining around and found an area that still had analog service I could use up my paid time that way.
So at $3.39.9 a gal a guess I will drive around this week attempting to find an area where my system still works and call home to see if they can still hear me now at .50 cents per min.VERY unhappy customer. Curt