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BMW, Porsche telematic features class action lawsuits overview:
- Who: Peter Grayson filed separate class action lawsuits against BMW of North America and Porsche Cars North America.
- Why: Grayson separately claims BMW and Porsche misrepresented the telematic systems in certain of its vehicles since they allegedly are only compatible with 3G technology and have been rendered inoperable with wireless carriers dropping it.
- Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in New Jersey federal court.
Certain older Porsche and BMW vehicles will no longer be able to perform telematic features due to wireless carriers dropping 3G technology, a pair of new class action lawsuits separately allege.
Plaintiff Peter Grayson separately claims Porsche and BMW misrepresented the vehicles telematic systems by not informing consumers they would be rendered inoperable in the event wireless carriers dropped 3G technology.
Grayson argues the telematic systems manufactured into the affected Porsche and BMW vehicles were only temporary on account of them allegedly only being compatible with 3G technology.
“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,” states the BMW class action and Porsche class action.
Porsche and BMW being asked to provide compensation for telematic systems allegedly ‘rendered inoperable’
Grayson wants to represent nationwide classes of consumers who have purchased either a BMW or Porsche vehicle containing telematics systems that are only compatible with 3G technology.
“This action was commenced to obtain recompense for Class Vehicles whose telematics were rendered inoperable when 3G was phased out, or repair, retrofit or replacement of 3G telematics,” states the BMW class action and Porsche class action.
Porsche drivers will no longer be able to access their vehicles’ “Porsche Connect” features due to the phase out of 3G, while BMW owners will be unable to use their “Connected/Drive BMW Assist” systems, according to the BMW class action and Porsche class action.
Grayson separately claims Porsche and BMW are guilty of unjust enrichment and in violation of New Jersey’s Consumer Fraud Act, breach of express warranty in violation of a New Jersey statute, and the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.
Plaintiff is demanding a jury trial in both complaints and is requesting an award of actual damages for himself and all class members.
A separate class action lawsuit was filed against BMW in June over claims the company exaggerates the driving range for some of its i3 passenger vehicles when they are being driver in cold weather.
Have you lost the ability to use your vehicles’ telematic system due to the phase out of 3G technology? Let us know in the comments!
The plaintiff is represented by Lee Squitieri of Squitieri & Fearon, LLP.
The BMW, Porsche telematic features class action lawsuits are Grayson v. BMW of North America LLC, et al., Case No. 2:22-cv-06103, and Grayson v. Dr. Ing. H.C. F. Porsche AG, et al., Case No. 3:22-cv-06105, in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.
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41 thoughts onBMW, Porsche class actions claim 3G termination disables telematic features
It’s not right cause my purchase agree and the options it shows on the car says it’s has ConnectedDrive. Now I can’t get my car data report . Bmw also has upgraded some people that lost the option.
I built & purchased a 2022 BMW 230i M-Sport pkg car in late 2021 and received it in mid February this year (2022). I paid 20knover sticker price… ~ 12k in upgrades for every single option available (or advertised as available option at the time I built it), and literally none of it works… either completely missing or more concerning faulty or unreliable!! I have fought the dealership and went all the way up to BMW NA so called executive investigative division (a complete joke I found out… and they say you can only go through that process once, even if they manipulated the “customer issue” to completely misrepresent the safety concerns and 12k I paid for options that did not exist or faulted)
Some features I purchased that aren’t working properly, or never did, are:
5G cellular plan capability (in fact, I paid for a TMobile plan for my car and am still paying because they won’t let me cancel the plan).
BMW assist and roadside help with car tracking and emergency response.
wireless automatic map updates and iDrive system updates, functions like park mobile which is supposed to find a parking spot on demand.
Live Cockpit Pro (incl. Navi)
Active Park Distance Control
Active Driving Assistant – driving assistance package with advanced collision warning and breaking capabilities.
Parking Assistant Plus
Active Blind Spot Detection
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto Compat.
Connected Package Pro
ConnectedDrive Services
Lane Departure Warning
Remote access and operation of car
Crash detection and auto emergency call
Live traffic and traffic light warnings
I just purchased a 2016 BMW i3. I would like to know if I can be included in the class action lawsuit since I have also loss 3G conductivity in my vehicle?
I’ve often considered myself a lifelong BMW owner and an ardent brand loyalist. I’ve owned many models throughout the years, and have enthusiastically endorsed and promoted the brand to anyone who would listen. I’ve nudged countless people toward the BMW family, and was proud to champion the estimable Bavarian flag over what I considered to be lesser alternatives. In fact, one of the primary reasons for my intransigent loyalty has been BMW’s commitment to supporting its customers and fostering the ultimate owner experience.
I’m sorry to say, however, that my unequivocal fealty toward the brand ends today. I will never purchase another BMW, and will cease to recommend the brand to friends and family. I reached out to the company not to cavil, but to extend an earnest opportunity for them to understand why. Myopic corporate decisions can have consequences, and in this case, they have squandered my trust in the BMW brand promise.
In 2015, I purchased a new 320i xDrive Special Edition. A key selling point for me was the ConnectedDrive platform, which as they know, depends on Internet access to facilitate its feature set. Recently, I discovered that the system and its concomitant functions have all been rendered inoperable. A BMW customer service rep informed me that my ConnectedDrive platform is based on 3G protocol, which is purportedly being phased out by some broadband carriers. I was presented with no other remedy or option to update the cellular antenna for LTE or 5G connectivity.
In no small way, it appears that BMW has betrayed those customers who purchased the system in good faith. Had I expected that the technology I invested in would be wholly abandoned, I would have never bothered to pay a premium for a BMW.
It’s not so far-fetched to imagine that many disconsolate owners will be compelled to trade-up to the latest model. Perhaps this presents a fortuitous sales opportunity for BMW. But for many, including myself, it compels us to run away from the brand, and never look back.
The corporate decision to forgo the platform entirely, with no consideration for legacy customers, is enough for me to distrust the brand going forward. It’s simply bad business, and smacks of blithe disregard. The investment that BMW made to cultivate my loyalty has been vaporized by business practices that are as arrogant as they are tacky.
I had expected more from BMW, but apparently, avarice prevails. I should have known better.
I purchased a certified pre-owned 2015 335i f30 BMW approx. 4 yrs ago. A major appeal for this car was the connected drive/assist feature both for emergency contact in the event of an accident and all the other services that my subscription paid for (remote unlock, car location, car operational status etc) If my car gets stolen it no longer can be traced; in order to replace that function I am forced to spend $1000+ for a LoJack system. I suspect my insurance will be more expensive now that the car is non trackable if stolen.
I can no longer maintain the firmware for the systems in the car through connected drive. I cannot update the GPS road data without paying a BMW dealership to do it.
These are tangible real dollar losses that are attributable to BMW’s poor response to a known obsolescence issue.
It is not the car I paid for and I want BMW to remedy the issue.
Malcolm Doble
M4 lost all safety telematics when 3G service went down as well as the safety items attached to the 3G service on a 911 Carrera
I bought my 2013 series 5 about 6 months ago. When buying the vehicle I was never told certain features of the vehicle were unable because of this 3g shutdown. I started doing research about a month after I got the car because I wanted to use the features. Then called BMW and was told they couldn’t do a single thing. I paid for what I thought would be in working order and instead got something that is unusable . If I was told about this I would have seen if they could take something off the price.
Add me
I spent 10k on upgrades, including 5G telematics, on my 2022 BMW 230i m-sport. I built it online, with every option, early September 2021 and received it in February 2022. Once I realized that nothing was working, like pedestrian warning and collision warning w/ early break intervention, among a dozen other features weren’t working or weren’t installed… i started to complain and look deeper…. The dealer and BMW AG are saying that I have every option that i bought… I paid for t-mobile cell service for my car and then it all of a sudden want available on my car… I am so upset. I don’t think it is safe to drive… I tried getting them to buy it back or at least let me buy the 240i (hoping that would persuade them to do the right thing) now my dealer won’t return my calls..
Lost connected drive capabilities when 3G was shut down. Can no longer unlock doors if key fob battery dies, emergency services in car no longer works.
I don’t believe mine works on my BMW either
add me we have both a Porsche and BMW with drop loss use of 3g service.