Here's how a $1,500 OnStar service is optional but mandatory for new GM vehicles

Is it optional, or is it standard? The line is blurred when it comes to a popular feature on new cars, and it could be a sign of things to come in the auto industry.

[hermanator]

This will make it very easy for lots of folks to give GM the bird here.

[reaxions]

A year later, this is even funnier to me. GM charged their customers a huge mandatory up front fee (plus monthly fees?) to sell their data and subsequently increase their insurance rates (unbeknownst to the customers). Genius! 😂😂😂

[rodochrous]

Forget it - I won't be forced to buy any of their junk.

[MB-dbhj]

Just another way to grab money for the CEO'S pocket. OnStar had always been a way for the company to track your every move...no thank you. As a GM retiree and life long loyal customer, I will go elsewhere for a new vehicle if I have to. At least until the others follow suit, which will happen. Nothing but a money grab for corporate America.

[TALKCalgary]

If you want to ask some rude agent based in India who can barely speak a word of English for help then OnStar is for you!

[billt]

Perfect example of "supply and demand". If you really really really want a GMC pickup, then you have to pay an extra $1, 500, because they won't sell it without the feature. If you just want any old pickup, you can choose from Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, I don't know if Honda makes a pickup, never seen one.

[Malachor]

I just bought a 2024 lower end Silverado. It wasn't included in the MSRP. So after a free one month, I just let it expire. Essentially, your phone can do almost everything that onstar provides.

[alpizzurro]

GM is among the first, but the others are going to go down this path. Look what they are including in it. Keyless entry, heated seats etc.

[valkry]

They can track your every movement, location, speed and direction with on star and can disable your vehicle remotely at any time.

[LincolnHawk]

Was gonna buy a brand new Silverado to replace my Ram when I give it to my son. Not buying a GM product now, or ever again.

[beautyofgrace]

Just bought a 2018 Chevy Volt, I let my Onstar expire, but if you have Chevy App you can’t use it without onstar, so I deleted the app, not paying for a monthly subscription, I have other bills to pay, also Sirius XM was on my car as well, I let them go too.

[yorinov]

I will NEVER pay a monthly subscription to anything on a car PERIOD!

[ivans]

If you check their "plans" you still end up paying more than what the dealership charges you for that 3 year "plan" smh this is getting out of control

[madguitarist]

You can opt out after 3 years, but the system will interrupt your music/radio randomly to remind you that your vehicle is equipped with OnStar and connected to limited services or not connected to services. If you re-up to anything other than the top tier plan, it will continue to randomly pester you about being connected to limited services. Odds are good that when this truck I have needs replacing, I will be buying a new truck...that isn't a GM product, because this life long bowtie guy has had enough of this nonsense and won't continue to support a company that engages in these behaviors.

[haroldmoran]

Even if you opt-out OnStar will still track you and even listen to your conversations via their built in microphone. Selling your data.

[ricpel]

I bought a new Chevy in 2019, love the car, but dropped all the connectivity crap once it expired. I don't want it or need it. Who wants to be spied on by the company you just paid money for their product? The taking and selling of peoples data and info has gone way over board! Oddly, I still get a monthly email update, telling me my tire pressure, miles, etc., etc. If they're going to do this I'm done with GM, of course all the others are going to do the same thing or try to. That's okay, I still own a few older vehicles without the connectivity crap, I'll go back to driving them strictly.

[hindzer]

folks you cant use much of the stuff on your truck or car. i got screwed in this deal too

[johnmcclaine-kogl]

refuse to take any gm vehicle off the lot unless they disable and unplug the onstar module

[piper]

GM has failed! I will never buy any GM product. Toyota for last 45 yrs. They don't give option walk away .

[bgregg]

It was easy to delete onstar on my '09 but I'm sure they have made it much more difficult now. I have no interest in it whatsoever. In the US, car makers are out of control collecting & using your personal data. They dont allow it in the EU.