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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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69 thoughts onDrivers allege loss of vehicles’ safety features after 3G termination
I leased a 2014 BMW 320i x drive. When it came off lease I purchased the car and the BMW dealer did not disclose 3G would be phased out.
Now my SOS and safety features and connect drive and assist won’t work
They should have disclosed this to me.
Now if I try to to resell I must disclose this and it definitely will depreciate my car as well make it harder to sell without these features as any BMW buyer would want or expect these features.
I live in Ontario, Canada…….never buy a car from Budds BMW, they are negligent and dishonest.
I never would have purchased the car when it came off lease in 2019 had I knew this.
I feel cheated and now stuck with a car without these safety and assist features
2016 MERCEDES-BENZ GLC300 4MATIC Safety features no longer work. I bought the vehicle for that.
I have a 2016 Mercedes E250 with the Mbrace system. It no longer works and Mercedes says nothing will be done because of 3G. This has been an unexpected problem.
i have a 2017 hyundai elantra – blu link sent me a sim card to update my car and fooled me into thinking it would allow blulink to re-enroll and have all the features of what i had when i bought it in aug.17, 2017 . and now i cant use any of the feature the buttons on my rearview mirror – including SOS AND ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. – WHAT A SCAM AND THE DEALER IM SURE KNE ABOUT THIS WHEN I TRADED IN MY 2014 FOR THE 2017 – SO ANGRY AND MAKE US CONSUMERS FEELING MADE FOOLS OF – I PAID OFF MY LOAN AND STUCK WITH OUT THESE FEATURES IS THE REASON I WENT BACK TO HYUNDAI – NOT PURCHASING HYUNDAY EVER AGAIN ESPECIALLY ANY CAR WITH BLULINK
PLEASE ADD ME TO THIS CLASS ACTION SUIT!
2018 Porsche Panamera 4-S Executive
G3 replacement not provided resulting in loss of safety devices
Have this issue with my 2019 Volkswagen GTI Rabbit Edition. I’d like to join this lawsuit.
We bought our 2015 Mercedes M350 mainly because of the safety features. Now none of them work and our insanely expensive vehicle is worth very little. I’m sure Mercedes knew this was coming and were not honest with their customers. Pretty dirty trick from what we thought was a respectable auto builder. They’ve gone from high class to no class. Please include me if there is a class action lawsuit for this.
Please add me. I bought my NX200 for the enform feature. I had to pay for this feature and service so Toyota better upgrade me or refund me those costs I paid for the feature.
Please add me to this class action suit. I had this feature and a main reason I purchased this vehicle. This was used a tool for selling me my vehicle. I can’t refuse to pay my car note, so you refusing to offer an upgrade or a solution is not feasible. This is totally unacceptable.
I have two BMWs which were affected by this action (3G retirement). I had paid for connected services in one continuously and the other was included in the purchase price and just “died”. Clearly functionality which was advertised especially in the case of my i3 is inoperative now.
I wish to join the class,
2016 Mercedes-Benz GLE 350
Please add me as well. This will continue to happen with newer models each time a network is discontinued. We as consumers need to take a stand and hold manufacturers accountable.