GM sued over OnStar change

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Sharon Terlep / The Detroit News

A disgruntled Cadillac owner, whose OnStar service will go dead next year as a result of upgrades to General Motors Corp.'s peace-of-mind roadside assistance feature, filed a class-action lawsuit Wednesday against the automaker.

Robert Weaver of Virginia bought a new Cadillac El Dorado in 2002 equipped with GM's OnStar, a much-advertised communication system that links motorists with live operators who can offer driving directions and emergency help.

Weaver is among 1.5 million owners who will be affected when OnStar completes its switch from an analog system to a more current digital network.

While newer GM vehicles are equipped with digital receivers, many older models are not, meaning they will lose OnStar when the analog service shuts down starting next year. Some vehicles made between 2002 and 2004 can be upgraded, but all pre-2002 models will become obsolete.

GM says about 500,000 vehicles have analog systems that can't be upgraded and 1 million have digital-capable systems. A small number of Acura, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen models are affected.

The switch is a result of a 2002 Federal Communications Commission decision to let cell phone companies shutter their analog networks starting in February. OnStar is carried by Verizon Wireless.

GM has heavily promoted OnStar with commercials featuring dramatic real-life calls between motorists and operators, such as one from a child phoning for help after a car accident.

In the lawsuit, Weaver charges that GM knew it was switching to an all-digital network but continued to sell analog-only systems and failed to inform customers they were to be phased out.

He calls for GM to reimburse all affected customers the $199 cost of the OnStar system along with subscription fees. The suit also seeks to block GM from shutting off service or from charging customers the $15 cost of an upgrade.

(more at link) http://www.detroitnews.com/apps/pbcs...plate=printart

[Mischief007]

Maybe he should go after Verizon as well. Why stop there, go after the government as well. GM is just adjusting to this. Do people really think that technology can change in cars on the fly? Of course it took GM a while to switch over and as a company they will sell what sells at the time. Go blame the cell phone companies as well then for producing phones that no longer work.

Some people just need a life.

[FamilyTruckster]

I bought a computer back in 1995. It is now obsolete. I want my money back too.

[HoosierRon]

Sarah, get me Wally's.... Sarah? Hello?

[Michael_S]

The suit also seeks to block GM from shutting off service or from charging customers the $15 cost of an upgrade.

He's filing a class action lawsuit over a $15 upgrade?

Usually, in the case of people filing lawsuits against companies, I am on the side of the person. I've read and seen too many people get burned by an uncaring corporate giant. But this is absurd. I hope the lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice (which I believe is the term for when a lawsuit is blocked and is not even permitted to be re-filed).

[Jkujo]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

The suit also seeks to block GM from shutting off service or from charging customers the $15 cost of an upgrade.

He's filing a class action lawsuit over a $15 upgrade?

Usually, in the case of people filing lawsuits against companies, I am on the side of the person. I've read and seen too many people get burned by an uncaring corporate giant. But this is absurd. I hope the lawsuit is dismissed with prejudice (which I believe is the term for when a lawsuit is blocked and is not even permitted to be re-filed).

This guy ranks up there with the person that sued McDonald's because the coffee they spilled on themselves was "Too Hot". Talk about a frivolous lawsuit! Working at GM Card a few years ago I am not surprised that there are people out there not willing to make the transition or pay for it. This is probably the same guy that is upset that his points are rolling off after 7 years. Sheesh! It's $15 to upgrade?! Just pay the money and have a nice day!

[WishIhadatruck]

Originally Posted by Jkujo

This guy ranks up there with the person that sued McDonald's because the coffee they spilled on themselves was "Too Hot". Talk about a frivolous lawsuit! Working at GM Card a few years ago I am not surprised that there are people out there not willing to make the transition or pay for it. This is probably the same guy that is upset that his points are rolling off after 7 years. Sheesh! It's $15 to upgrade?! Just pay the money and have a nice day!

He doesn't have the option to upgrade, that is why he filing the lawsuit. I'm sure the lawyers decided to make it a class action lawsuit so they can make more money as well. How can you compare him to the McDonald's customer? He's not suing for millions, he just wants his money back. It isn't like a computer or phone where you can just throw it away and buy a new one. It is integrated with his car and is not upgradable or even usable anymore (or soon will be). I'd be upset as well. GM should make a way to upgrade the analog models to digital. Lots of people buy cars and keep them for many years and expect them to work like new for the entire time. If something breaks you might need to repair it but at least you can keep it and still have a nice car for years if you maintain it. Now they've implemented a great feature and it becomes useless after 5 years. What if he picked the Cadillac over a Lexus because he wanted Onstar? This is no way to treat your customers.

[minnfang]

I want to sue GM over my 1977 Cutlass 442. I can't find 8-track tapes for it anymore.

Seriously, this is kind of a unique situation. On the one hand, the warranty on his car has run out - tough luck. On the other hand, aren't manufacturers required to make replacement parts available for X number of years to enable customers to maintain full functionality of their vehicles? I think I read somewhere it is for 15 years - anyone out there know otherwise?

Oh yea, if all he wants is his money back, who's going to pay the spendy lawyers?

[jbernie]

If he got use out of the service then GM can refund him a portion of the $200, minus legal fees for stupidity.

Unfortunately GM got screwed over by the change in cell networks, at the time the vehicle was purchased I would expect that the analog network was very strong and the digital very week, as time progressed they were about equal and then digital became the network and analog was being dismantled.

Given he has an 02 car and it is now 07, he has had 5 years of service at approximately $40 per year breakdown for the unit cost (depending on exact purchase date).

Sorry Sir, you had your usage, you can't have your money back.

[likearock00]

Originally Posted by jbernie

If he got use out of the service then GM can refund him a portion of the $200, minus legal fees for stupidity.

Unfortunately GM got screwed over by the change in cell networks, at the time the vehicle was purchased I would expect that the analog network was very strong and the digital very week, as time progressed they were about equal and then digital became the network and analog was being dismantled.

Given he has an 02 car and it is now 07, he has had 5 years of service at approximately $40 per year breakdown for the unit cost (depending on exact purchase date).

Sorry Sir, you had your usage, you can't have your money back.

Well said! I hope he doesn't get a dime.

[69Firebird400]

I don't understand why he wants a refund of his subscription fees, unless he has prepaid into a time period when he would no longer have access to the service. Otherwise, it's completely ridiculous to expect a refund for services received. That's like asking for a refund after a baseball game when your team lost, or taking a movie back to Blockbuster and telling them you didn't like it, so demanding a refund. Or how about, "I didn't die during 2006, so I'd like a refund of my life insurance premiums?"

What a whiner.

[mgescuro]

I can understand the guy's frustration.

My G6 will have to be upgraded to take advantage of the digital OnStar. I find that simply appalling that I have to get it upgraded. It's a 2005 for crying out loud!! And GM at that point would have known about the digital change-over!!

I'm terminating Onstar because of GM's sheer stupidity.

[mcool]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

I can understand the guy's frustration.

My G6 will have to be upgraded to take advantage of the digital OnStar. I find that simply appalling that I have to get it upgraded. It's a 2005 for crying out loud!! And GM at that point would have known about the digital change-over!!

I'm terminating Onstar because of GM's sheer stupidity.

How much does the upgrade cost?

[mcool]

Originally Posted by WishIhadatruck

He doesn't have the option to upgrade, that is why he filing the lawsuit. I'm sure the lawyers decided to make it a class action lawsuit so they can make more money as well. How can you compare him to the McDonald's customer? He's not suing for millions, he just wants his money back. It isn't like a computer or phone where you can just throw it away and buy a new one. It is integrated with his car and is not upgradable or even usable anymore (or soon will be). I'd be upset as well. GM should make a way to upgrade the analog models to digital. Lots of people buy cars and keep them for many years and expect them to work like new for the entire time. If something breaks you might need to repair it but at least you can keep it and still have a nice car for years if you maintain it. Now they've implemented a great feature and it becomes useless after 5 years. What if he picked the Cadillac over a Lexus because he wanted Onstar? This is no way to treat your customers.

There's no guarantee that DVD-based nav systems will not be obsolete in 5 years time. If OnStar is THAT IMPORTANT to him, he should consider getting a new car with the updated OnStar, or at least get another car that falls under the upgradability window if he doesn't want a new car. It's not like the wheels just fell off because of a cell network switch.

My Pathfinder has a tape player in it, so Nissan owes me an in-dash 6-disc changer now that that's the standard!

[mgescuro]

Originally Posted by mcool

How much does the upgrade cost?

Not too much -- a little over a hundred or so. I don't recall. I've got the sheet at home. Plus it includes some free Onstar for a while.
It's the whole inconvenience of it all. Getting it to the dealership, etc etc etc.

I mean, are all 2005 GM vehicles in the same boat??? Or is it just a few?
Because it really makes no sense as to why GM would sell some cars w/ digital and some w/ analog.