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What Happens After the 3G Sunset? Everything You Need to Know About How the 3G Shutdown Will Affect Your Car

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Written by

CarParts.com

Staff Writers

Updated on March 21st, 2022

Wireless telecommunications technologies have evolved rapidly in the last few years, to the point that telecom networks have decided to shut down third-generation or 3G networks permanently in 2022. But what does this mean for you? How will your vehicle be affected by this so-called 3G sunset and how can you prepare for it? We'll answer these questions and more in this vehicle owner's guide to the 3G sunset.

Why Is the 3G Network Being Shut Down?

Telecom companies are shutting down 3G networks to make way for even stronger, faster, and better communications technologies. Phasing out 3G networks will allow these companies to use the frequencies 3G networks formerly occupied in order to expand the bandwidth of faster and stronger 5G networks.

When Will 3G Networks Be Shut Down?

Various telecom companies will shut down their 3G networks slowly and over the course of a year, hence the term 3G sunset. Shutdown dates will differ depending on the telecom company's timeline. AT&T shut down its 3G cellular network last February 2022. Meanwhile, T-Mobile has announced that it will shut down its 3G network in July 2022. Verizon will be the last to phase out its 3G network on December 31, 2022, according to USA Today.

Many 3G network-dependent features in cars and other vehicles will also be phased out because of this shutdown. In fact, many automakers have announced which models, services, and features will be affected.

How Will the 3G Network Phaseout Affect My Car?

Your car might be equipped with a connectivity system that relies on a 3G network. Once the 3G network has been shut down, every 3G device will be cut off, including modems that were installed in vehicles over the last decade. Various automotive services that rely on 3G technology, such as infotainment features and crash safety support, can no longer be used after the shutdown. Here are some automotive services that might not be available because of the 3G sunset:

Navigation

Owners who rely on their onboard navigation systems might not be able to use them anymore once their vehicle's manufacturers phase out these services. Here are some of the navigation services that will be discontinued due to the 3G shutdown:

AcuraLink Connect's find my car, destination by voice
Jaguar Land Rover's InControl Touch Pro Connected navigation features
Tesla's navigation and traffic update services

Safety Features

Some owners have already noticed that their vehicle's safety features haven't been working properly. Here are some safety features that will be deactivated as the 3G sunset progresses:

Acura Link Connect's vehicle status and security alarm alert
Hyundai Blue Link's Road Side Assistance and Stolen Vehicle Tracking
Subaru's stolen vehicle recovery feature

Infotainment Systems

Voice functions and infotainment features such as weather and traffic checks might also be inoperable due to the 3G network shutdown. Here are a few examples of infotainment features that will be phased out:

AcuraLink Standard's real-time traffic and maintenance reminders
Audi connect services including Google voice search, weather, fuel prices, travel information, and parking information
Jaguar Land Rover's live apps

Concierge Systems

Concierge systems that allow drivers to make hotel and restaurant reservations from their infotainment screens might not be supported, as many of these rely on 3G networks to function. Here are some examples of concierge systems that will be discontinued:

AcuraLink Premium's personal concierge services for hotel, restaurant, and airline reservations
BMW Assist's eCall and Concierge Services
HondaLink Concierge's personal concierge services

Remote locks and automatic starters

Some vehicles also use 3G networks for valuable accessibility features, such as remote locks and starters. These features will also be phased out if they rely on 3G. Some examples include the following:

AcuraLink Connect's remote door lock/unlock
HondaLink remote start and stop and remote lock and unlock
Stellantis' smartphone app for remote lock, unlock, and start

Emergency Alert Systems

As a result of the 3G sunset, potentially millions of vehicles can lose the ability to activate their emergency alert systems and contact first responders after a crash. Some examples of these functions include the following:

AcuraLink Connect's automatic collision notification, emergency call, stolen vehicle locator, and enhanced roadside assistance
Hyundai Blue Link's automatic crash notification and SOS emergency assistance
Subaru's SOS emergency assistance

Is There a Way to Update My 3G Car Features Before the Shutdown?

Telecommunications companies have the final say over the phaseout of their 3G network services. As such, vehicle manufacturers have no control over the 3G shutdown. The 3G shutdown can render various vehicle features and services useless, as they're incompatible with newer 4G and 5G networks. The only way to still keep using these features is through software updates or hardware upgrades that are fortunately already being rolled out by some automakers.

Software and Hardware Updates Available

Honda already informed their customers through e-mail and messages sent directly to their infotainment screens about a software update to address the 3G issue. However, this software update was only available until February 22, 2022. If you own a Honda vehicle equipped with 3G features and services, you might have to pay at least $900 for the upgrade.

General Motors vehicles that have OnStar vehicle security products will still be able to retain the crash notification features after a software update. Meanwhile, Audi gave owners access to a third-party service that offers SOS and crash notification services. Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat, and other brands under the Stellantis Group will have their crash notification services disabled as a result of the 3G shutdown. However, the Stellantis Group offered a couple of upgrade options for its customers.

Some Automakers Haven't Released Updates

Not all vehicle makers have released remedies and solutions to help their customers transition during the 3G shutdown. Automakers like Nissan , Infiniti, Toyota, and Lexus have not made any announcements regarding connectivity upgrades even though some of their vehicles, some of which were manufactured as late as 2019, will permanently lose services.

A Potential Silver Lining

The good news is that not all vehicles are going to be affected by the shutdown. Mazda and Ford owners can easily connect to their smartphones to enable crash notifications. Meanwhile, Mitsubishi never used 3G technology in the first place, so owners don't need to upgrade their software and hardware. Other vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Cruze and the Audi A3, already have 4G capabilities and don't require updates in the near future.

Which Vehicles Are Affected by the 3G Shutdown?

There are many older and newer vehicles that aren't equipped with 3G modems and devices and won't be affected by the 3G shutdown. Unfortunately, this shift in communications technology will still affect potentially millions of vehicles manufactured in the last decade, according to Car and Driver. Here's a list of affected vehicles as of writing:

Acura

According to an FAQ page released by Acura, dealers can install a new device for AcuraLink services. Meanwhile, according to CarsDirect.com, Acura is offering a $1,500 discount on a new Acura to select owners who were affected by the phaseout.

2014–2017 MDX
2015–2017 TLX
2016–2017 ILX, RDX
2014–2016 RLX; 2017 NSX

Audi

Audi is offering Motion for Audi Connect to replace some of the SOS features that rely on 3G in specific cars. This requires using a phone app and installing a new 4G modem and telematics unit in the OBD-II port.

2012–2015 A6, A7
2012–2018 Q7
2012–2018 Q3, A5, A8
2013–2016 Allroad, A4
2013–2018 Q5
2014–2016 A3
2016–2018 A3 e-tron
2018 A8
2019 RS5

BMW

Some BMW models that are equipped with 3G telematics and retrofitted 2G vehicles will no longer receive services such as ConnectedDrive and BMW Assist. According to BMW, they have already begun contacting customers regarding upgrades that will be available for certain vehicles.

Ford

As of writing, Ford has not released a remedy for affected vehicles, including the following models:

2012-2015 Focus
2012-2013 Fusion
2012 Mercury Milan
2012 Lincoln MKZ
2013 C-Max

General Motors

General Motors has released software updates so that affected models can work on 4G LTE networks. Hardware upgrades are only necessary if your vehicle's OnStar status is inactive or disabled. Unfortunately, as of writing, they have yet to release an official list of affected models. This website allows you to enter your VIN to check if your vehicle is affected.

Honda

Honda released an over-the-air update before February 22. If you haven't installed this update, you're too late and will have to pay for a new modem. Otherwise, you'll lose all 3G-dependent features and services for the following models.

2018–2020 Accord Touring, Odyssey Touring/Elite
2019–2020 Insight Touring
2019–2022 Pilot Touring/Elite/Black Edition
2019–2021 Passport Touring/Elite

Hyundai

As of writing, Hyundai has not released remedies or solutions for affected vehicles.

2012–2015 models with Blue Link (except Sonata with navigation and Genesis)
2016 Elantra, Elantra GT, Veloster (without navigation), Sonata Hybrid, Santa Fe, Equus

Jaguar Land Rover

Jaguar Land Rover said that it will run 3G vehicles on 2G networks so that the Jaguar Remote or Land Rover Remote smartphone apps can still work in the meantime.

Jaguar Land Rover has yet to release a timetable for its 2G and 3G features phaseout. Two 2015 Land Rover vehicles and every other 2016-2017 model will be affected by the 3G shutdown. These include the following:

Kia

Kia is currently working on a remedy for the 3,100 affected vehicles that run on the Verizon 3G network.

2015-2016 Soul EV

Nissan and Infiniti

As of writing, Nissan and Infiniti have not announced any remedies or upgrades for the following affected vehicles.

2016-2017 Altima, Maxima, Rogue, Titan
2016-2018 Sentra
2017-2018 GT-R, Rogue Sport
2017 Murano, Pathfinder, Titan XD
2017-2018 Rogue Sport
2011-2015 Leaf (any model that was upgraded by the customer after 2G sunset)
2014-2018 Infiniti Q50
2017-2018 Infiniti Q60
2013-2018 Infiniti Q70
2017-2019 Infiniti QX30
2013-2017 Infiniti JX, QX60, QX56, QX80

Porsche

Certain models are eligible for upgrades, which will be installed by Porsche dealers.

2014 918 Spyder
2014-2018 Panamera
2015-2019 Cayenne
2017-2018 Macan
2017-2019 911

Stellantis

Stellantis has yet to release a list of affected models, as of writing. However, it's most likely that vehicles manufactured by former Fiat Chrysler (Dodge, Chrysler, Ram, Jeep, Ferrari, Maserati, Alfa Romeo) between 2012 and 2017 that are equipped with first to third-generation Uconnect services will be affected. Automatic crash notifications will be permanently disabled. Only certain 3G vehicles will be upgraded as long as the owner pays for the data plan.

Subaru

Subaru released an over-the-air update before February 22. If you haven't installed this update yet, you can no longer upgrade your vehicle's hardware.

2016-2018 Forester, Legacy, Outback, Impreza, Crosstrek
2017-2018 WRX, WRX STI

Tesla

Tesla has announced that a modem upgrade for affected models is available. You can contact your local Tesla dealership for more information regarding the following models.

2012–2015 Model S built before June 2015

Toyota and Lexus

Unfortunately, Toyota and Lexus have not released any possible remedies or upgrades for affected vehicles, such as the following:

2011-2017 Sienna
2012-2016 Prius V
2013-2018 Avalon/HV
2012-2014 RAV4 EV
2012-2015 Prius Plug-in
2013-2017 Camry/HV
2016-2017 Mirai
2010-2016 Prius
2014-2018 Highlander/HV
2011-2017 Land Cruiser
2010-2019 4Runner
Almost every 2010-2018 Lexus

Volkswagen

An upgrade will be available for owners of 2017-2019 Volkswagen vehicles in fall 2022. Features that rely on 3G networks in all other models, including the following, will be permanently disabled.

2014-2019 Passat, Jetta, Eos, Tiguan, Beetle, Golf, e-Golf, GTI, Golf R, Golf Sportwagen
2014-2018 CC
2018-2019 Atlas, Arteon

The 3G network shutdown will pave the way for better and more efficient technology in the future. In the long run, this shutdown will have many long-term benefits. However, this phaseout is already affecting convenient and life-saving features in vehicles today. If your vehicle is affected by the 3G sunset, it's best to contact your local dealership as soon as possible to learn more about possible upgrades that you might need to install.

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