Is This Fair?: Acura Giving On Star Owners the Shaft:

Charlie has a 2003 Acura TL that came equipped with OnStar. Usually he renews for 2 years at a time, but this time something was wrong. OnStar wouldn't let him renew because his Acura had an analog OnStar system, and due to a FCC ruling, the wireless carriers that provide service to OnStar will no longer be required to maintain analog networks.

We found this a little hard to believe, so we called OnStar, asking them to confirm that Charlie's 2003 Acura could not be upgraded, or a new unit installed. After all, a 2003 Acura isn't exactly an old car. OnStar's CSR confirmed that Acura owners could not install a new unit, because Acura has decided not to participate in the upgrade program—choosing instead to push their own AcuraLink unit. So, can Charlie get an AcuraLink installed? Nope. Not according to Acura. In effect, Charlie is stuck with an useless unit, which is not only annoying, but will effect the resale value of the car. Shame on Acura for not standing by the products they install in their vehicles.
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silverarrow2 - 12/29/2006 12:54:43 AM

-3 Boost

Nice try.

The last time I bought and sold a car with navigation, the difference was only about $250.

It may not be fair, but Charlie should read the fine print that states that the manufacturer has the right to refuse any one renewal base on their interest.
bessides, we're only talking about upgrade. What's the big deal? Use a freaking mobile phone or a map and stop the bitchen' already.

bagwell - 12/29/2006 7:44:02 AM

0 Boost

I agree with silverarrow. Who pays for this service anyway? use your freakin cell phone!

mstangpny07 - 12/30/2006 11:59:24 AM

+1 Boost

I have it.
If I get in a crash in the rural farmlands outside Chicago, and I can't use my cell phone because I'm knocked out, I'm sure I'll appreciate it.

Agent009 - 12/29/2006 9:23:52 AM

0 Boost

Well you pay $1500 for an option that the manufacturer "elects" not to use anymore it leaves a bad taste in your mouth.

The same would hold true if you bought any special feature only to find out that in a short time the manufacturer "elected" to take your money and then a short time later "discontinue" that feature and give you no path to upgrade or continue service.

It simply it not fair to the consumer. Acura had options of a low cost upgrade or at least some sort of compensation on the trade in of the car. They chose however to leave all OnStar users from 2003 on back out in the cold with nothing for their trouble.

jeffy210 - 12/29/2006 10:02:01 AM

-1 Boost

Umm, show me where OnStar itself costs $1500? The nav system is still perfectly usable, just the OnStar system is not.

This was known for a while (even autospies covered it a few months back). If anything it's more Acura's fault for putting analog only systems in their 2003 models. I had a '01 Intrigue and it was at least an Analog/Digital Ready system that could be upgraded.

Additionally Acura can't just rip out or upgrade the system as OnStar is tied in to a lot of the vehical functions (airbags, diags, door locks, etc.) and my guess the AO systems were quite fundamentally different from the A/D systems which is preventing the upgrade.

antibmwnj - 12/29/2006 10:07:10 AM

+6 Boost

This has nothing to do with Acura but with Verizon turning down their network that OnStar is riding. Any manufacturer with an Analog OnStar system will lose there network in or around 2008 (most likely why they wouldn't sign up longer than a year).

I think they did you a favor for not taking your cash for something they can't provide. Don't be angry with Acura be angry with OnStar they rode a system that was old and out dated and were fully aware it was going away when you bought your vehicle.

As I said before this will affect any OnStar (analog) customer. Some of the newer systems are capable of being upgraded to digital but only some.

DallasMR2 - 12/29/2006 10:30:35 PM

+1 Boost

OnStar was not an option on the TL for 2003. the navigation was the $2000 option. they are not the same. do your homework.

DiamondJim - 12/29/2006 10:02:44 AM

0 Boost

there was an autospies article last year i think or the year before that which illustrated how Honda/Acura give the shaft to warranty claims. it's really no surprise they've elected to do this.

EL34 - 12/29/2006 10:56:35 AM

-1 Boost

Acura, great way to treat your customers.

mstangpny07 - 12/30/2006 12:01:57 PM

0 Boost

How could they know in the early 2000's that in 2008 we were going to switch to digital. It is impossible to "swap" OnStar units out, or retrofit them with it.

answer - 12/29/2006 6:00:18 PM

+2 Boost

While the situation does suck, the fine print for most manufacturer's GPS systems did make a point of stating that they were using analog systems specifically for this reason.

BMW740Z4 - 12/29/2006 6:23:02 PM

-1 Boost

Can we please just refer to "Acura" as "Honda" ??? Always thought that this brand would settle in with their technology-ridden Japanese bretherin and find a communication system that was cheaper/better than OnStar.

Guess I was wrong - at this point why would Acura want affiliate itself with GM? I can't find the answer (apparently, neither could they)

vdiv - 12/31/2006 4:52:40 PM

+1 Boost

Well, Acura is a division of Honda Motor Co. and as such the division made the decision to screw the customers, or at least dropped the ball, not the parent company. If a part of your Honda lawnmower gets discontinued you would not be pissed at the Acura dealership, would you?

Now, I wonder if the affected customers have an extended warranty how that plays out..