Drivers allege loss of vehicles’ safety features after 3G termination

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3G termination class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers recently filed class action lawsuits against Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Porsche and BMW. 
• Why: Drivers claim the automakers installed 3G telematics systems in their vehicles that are now obsolete. This is because wireless carriers phased out 3G in favor of 4G and 5G networks. 
• Where: The class actions were filed nationwide. 

Consumers recently filed several class action lawsuits against automakers accused of fitting their vehicles with 3G telematics software that no longer functions amid wireless networks’ decisions to shelve the technology. 

Drivers argue their vehicles’ telematics features, which include safety features such as emergency roadside assistance, are obsolete following companies such as AT&T choosing to discontinue 3G technology. 

Ford accused of failing to disclose it outfitted vehicles with ‘inferior’ 3G modems

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Ford earlier this month, alleging the automaker sold vehicles manufactured with now-obsolete 3G telematics equipment. 

Ford allegedly failed to disclose in its warranty manuals for the affected vehicles that it had made them with “an inferior 3G modem.” 

“The 3G modem was not disclosed by Ford’s authorized dealership, on the vehicle’s window sticker or elsewhere at the time Plaintiff purchased the vehicle,” the Ford class action states.

The driver behind the class action lawsuit claims that Ford and Lincoln vehicles equipped with the 3G modems can no longer use their internet-enabled features, including safety features. 

Toyota sold vehicles with obsolete 3G telematics equipment, class action says

Also this month, a pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Toyota, arguing the company sold vehicles containing 3G telematics equipment that no longer works. 

Safety features, including emergency roadside assistance and collision notification, no longer work in the affected Toyota vehicles due to 3G wireless network discontinuation, according to the Toyota class action. 

“This poses a significant safety hazard to drivers and occupants of Class Vehicles, and other members of the public, because disconnecting 3G compatibility has now ‘bricked’ important safety features in the Class Vehicles,” the Toyota class action states. 

The consumers behind the class action lawsuit argue Toyota knew before selling the affected vehicles that they needed 3G wireless networks to function. 

Volkswagen accused of failing to provide a solution to vehicle owners with obsolete 3G telematics systems

Volkswagen, meanwhile, faced similar claims last month by a consumer arguing the automaker failed to provide a solution for owners of vehicles outfitted with now-obsolete 3G connectivity. 

The consumer claims that Volkswagen failed to design the 3G telematics system in vehicles up to model year 2019 to adapt to newer 4G and 5G wireless networks. 

Volkswagen continued to put 3G telematics software in vehicles well after 4G replaced the technology in 2014. 

“All manufacturers of 3G devices have long known that 3G was ‘spectrally inefficient’ and would be phased out as early as possible,” the Volkswagen class action states. 

Telematics systems in BMW, Porsche vehicles no longer work, class action says

Also last month, a consumer separately filed class action lawsuits against BMW and Porsche, arguing the companies misrepresented the telematics systems in some of their vehicles. 

The consumer argues the telematics systems in some BMW and Porsche vehicles no longer work since they require 3G wireless networks, which have since been discontinued, to function. 

BMW and Porsche failed to disclose to their customers that their vehicles’ telematics systems and accompanying safety features would become inoperable if carriers phased out 3G wireless networks. 

“The Class Vehicles’ internet-enabled telematic features such as roadside emergency safety features were rendered inoperable after the 3G phase out in 2022 due to defendants’ use of obsolete telematics equipment they installed in the Class Vehicles,” the BMW and Porsche class actions state. 

Have you lost access to the telematics systems in your vehicle since wireless carriers phased out 3G wireless networks? Let us know in the comments! 

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