With the proliferation of smartphones, some in-vehicle technology features are going the way of the dodo. The latest victim is the OnStar Phone feature, also known as Hands-Free Calling, which is slated for official retirement in just a few years’ time.
According to GM Authority sources, General Motors plans to sunset the OnStar Hands-Free Calling service in 2022. At that point, all vehicles on the road still equipped with the feature will no longer have the ability to make calls using the OnStar Hands-Free Calling system.
Last year, we exclusively broke the news that General Motors was discontinuing the OnStar Phone Feature. At the time, we spoke with Stephanie Lang, General Motors’ Advanced Technology Communications, OnStar and Connectivity representative, who indicated that GM would discontinue HFC for 2020 model year and newer vehicles.
OnStar HFC was first made available in the late ‘90s, arriving as the industry’s first built-in calling feature provided by an automaker. HFC is separate from the Bluetooth-based hands-free calling system that connects to a smartphone, and is operated primarily through the infotainment screen, or with voice recognition commands. Users could originally purchase minutes through OnStar, and each vehicle was assigned it’s own unique phone number.
Arriving prior to the proliferation of smartphones, and indeed before the proliferation of cell phones in general, the OnStar Hands-Free Calling system was ahead of its time. Even now, with widespread smartphone adoption, the system remains useful for those who prefer not to have a smartphone, but still want to make phone calls on the move.
Unfortunately, the system is now headed for retirement. However, it’s important to note that the Hands-Free Calling feature uses the vehicle’s built-in OnStar system and model, and that Bluetooth smartphone connections, as well as the various features of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, will continue to be available as they are now.
Are you disappointed to learn about the retirement of OnStar HFC? Let us know in the comments, and make sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more OnStar news and ongoing GM news coverage.
Comments
GM took away the ability to store phone numbers in the OnStar phone in 2018, then shortened the trial to a month, and kept the minute price outrageously high. Given the number of us with cell phones with far cheaper rates, I don;t see why they even bother with it and are waiting so long to kill thephone feature.
GM made a mistake ..the phone was the best feature of my 08 Hummer.
I’m very disappointed..it worked so good and better than the cell phone.
If I have to use my smart phone why would I pay for on star ?
Just yesterday I learned of the discontinued HFC capability in my 2013 Cadillac On star unit! I have owed six Cadillacs , refuse to buy any vehicle that does not have onstar capabilities. Imagine my disappointment when I learn that one of the features I covet is snatched away!!! Some states make it illegal to operate the car and phone without a hands free ability. So to me, the loss HFC has hampered not only my safety, but made obeying the law difficult.
You have bigger issues than just the HFC going away. For 2015 and earlier vehicles that use 3G connectivity all Onstar functions will go away when the carrier shuts that service down. GM will ship a module that will plug into the OBDII port and you will need to use a downloadable app on your smartphone to pair with it. Once that is done the buttons on the mirror will no longer function.
Will the automatic crash notification go away with the OnStar HFC feature? This is a nice safety feature in the advent of an accident and the inability to call for help with air bag deployment. Will this mean the demise of the hot spot connectivity as well?
While I agree this is a very important feature, I am not willing to pay for this just incase advent as I don’t know anyone who has been so disabled in an accident they could not dail 911 themselves. But to be realistic and fair I hav seen bad accidents on the road, and not to acknowledge the potential of a speedy emergency response that could save someone’s life is just foolish. That being said, it would make more sense to have every car equipped with this life saving feature and only if it is used in the event of an emergency who would argue the charge associated with their life being saved. In addition who would find it useless for GMC to add a 911 panic speed dail with the same charge for usage. It Just makes more sense.
In 2017 my husband was in a serious car crash and was unconscious. An onstar rep. Talked to a man that checked on the accident. The agent called 911 and knew who the driver was. The agent talk to this man until the ambulance got there. Thank you onstar even though my husband did not survive the wreck.
So sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss
We have had OnStar phone on our 2009 gmc truck and loved it! It worked in areas that cell phones wouldn’t work! So disappointed that it’s being canceled!
So sorry for your loss. I am a senior and wish they would leave Onstar alone. Not everyone able to use a cell phone while driving. Voice calls are fast and easy.
So sorry about your loss
This happened to me also on I 95. The airbags deployed and onstar was right on phone, called police and ambulance.
I am so disappointed with no phone in my truck we are elderly and cell phones don’t work up here in the mnts it was great to be able to use our phone especially when electricity goes out we had a connection to the outside world. Very dissappointed
I’m very sorry to hear HFC will be discontinued. During the blackout of the Midwest, this was my only means of communicating with my family. It will be missed.
I’m 76 years old and need onstar. Its hard to keep up on a cell phone for mei don’t know what I will do without onstar. Is there any other options,?
I am horrified that I’ll be losing My On Star. I received a letter from them telling me to scan the link to be able to get info but my smart phone being smarter than I could not scan it. I called them but they called back when I wasn’t home and I couldn’t understand what she meant.about the link. This sounds just more of the same “new technology” that isn’t friendly for all involved. You would think that someone would care about us 65+ drivers, ( who never had an accident or speeding ticket) and who aren’t glued to their phone and have a good enough knowledge of using it.
I am very disappointed HFC will no longer be available.. As a senior I depended on HFC and wish they would reconsider their decision to discontinue this important feature. I did not have a problem with the cost for the peace of mind of having HFC.
GM made a huge mistake in shutting down On star to millions of us who depended on the service. I feel like the took me into the desert and dumped me out! I will remember this betrayal when I purchase my next car!!! We may be old but we still control the economy of this country! G M you would do well to remedy this soon!
Well, I like to know if any of us that have minutes left will be getting a refund for the remaining minutes.
No. They took 600 minutes from me. No financial reimbursement. I am a senior and HFC was a godsend. But, GM does not care. I also have no reason to purchase From GM. I am very angry.
If OnStar was considering a refund I do not think they would be telling us our minutes expired when they didn’t nor would they cancel our minutes before the service was scheduled to end.
When telephone service providers offer refunds is’s more likely the result of a negotiated settlement from class acton suites or an FCC investigation due to complaints filed with the FCC or state regulatory agencies.
I don’t believe I have Bluetooth in my 2007 Silverado. What will GM give me to replace the HFC they took from me?
Still useful on areas with poor cell service…it will miss it
It will be missed. Hope airbag deployment notification will still be available and engine diagnostics are still around
I have a 2018 Silverado and have NEVER used and kind of ONSTAR, or for that matter even touched the buttons in my truck.
There are just some products that become outdated, I guess this is one of em.
How is that, considering OnStar is just an embedded cell phone?
You get to talk to a real person. Its more than a cell phone.
I went to call my daughter on my onstar phone and it didn’t work. I called representative and was informed as of Nov. 21 2021 I no longer had on star. No prior notice that it was being done away with. There are places where a cell phone doesn’t work.
There should have been a notice about it.
This is really scary. There’s enough bad things going on in this world, why can’t on star see this ana figure out something else
I think what you are meaning to say you no longer had OnStar HFC minutes. OnStar as a service isn’t going anywhere.
I had the same thing happen to me today in my Malibu, On Star rep told me that the phones were 3g equivalent they wouldn’t work with 5g lte technology. So GM was just using up old stock not upgrading as time went on, and they wonder why more people buy foreign cars?
That was half the reason I liked my car. The safety
More than half! I wouldn’t buy any other brand than GM. NO LONGER!
Hi John
When I found out that HFC was being scrubbed I did a little digging, it seems that the equipment that OnStar is using is not 5G compatible, so they have been putting outdated equipment in our cars for years. The old equipment will not work when 5G service becomes the norm. So no more GM for me. I have been paying top dollar for outdated equipment for years now. Ford has a similar issue with their app, it is cell phone based, they offered to upgraded the equipment for $375 if you want to keep using the app, I’m not buying, but I am guessing that a lot of manufacturers who use cell phone technology will have issues. I’m not defending GM they dropped the ball on us, we had no option to buy OnStar it was built in the car, but they could have given us something better than an iPhone 5
I am very disappointed in GM . I have a 2011. Buick Lucerne. After 4 years my automatic garage door opener was canceled by the company. Then in February when I tried to make a hands free call I found out it was no longer available
and I never received a notification this was going to happen . Today I received notice no more air bag deployment emergency service, no notification on the mechanics on my Buick as of December 2022 . Having these features were one of the reason we stayed with buying Buicks. We are not up to date on the mechanics of a car so appreciated the notification. Use to recommend Buicks when friends were buying new cars. That has now ceased and as much as we have enjoyed our Buicks there will be no new Buicks for us.
I think because of GMs decision to stop HFC and other OnStar features GM may be the only cat company with cars to sell, but nobody, including myself will want them after pulling this stunt
I was so upset (still unhappy) that this happened. GM originally said that they were going to offer a plug in so service could continue, but they changed their minds. Now we suffer do to their being fickle and selfish. The onstar service was a big part of the reason why I bought the car. This is a disservice as they have disabled part of my car
That is a cellular based system, if you don’t have a signal on your phone it is doubtful OnStar going to either.
The ability to make OnStar call when a cell phone couldn’t was a big plus. With the additional amplifiers, larger antennae and a three watt transmitter (vs .25 watts for a cell phone), we could go places with no cell coverage and still make calls. That to me was a safety feature which will be missed.
Actually, it’s a much higher wattage signal so no, it works in areas where .2 watts won’t! This is one of the only reasons we have ever used OnStar….we needed this feature in our remote area!
Big mistake!! we had a family member that had a heart transplant and when he passed out your system notified me and called EMS and got him to the hospital. We rely on your system when a driver cannot make that call. Big mistake to discontinue this service.
Makes you wonder who is really behind this drastic change
Probably the accountants at GM trying to save 5 bucks per car!
I was so upset (still unhappy) that this happened. GM originally said that they were going to offer a plug in so service could continue, but they changed their minds. Now we suffer do to their being fickle and selfish. The onstar service was a big part of the reason why I bought the car. This is a disservice as they have disabled part of my car
Is not Onstar satellite¹based, not cel?
Not true I can use Onstar in places cell phone won’t work
Wrong I get to make calls on it when my cell phone has no service.
Wrong! The OnStar phone signal was much stronger than my cell phone signal. OnStar signals always got through loud and clear even when the cell signal was zero. The car has a much better antenna and stronger signal than a standard cell phone.
While in the Adirondacks a few years back, I had a flat tire. There were no cell towers around which meant no service. Being alone and female, I don’t have to tell you how concerned I was. Not thinking Onstar would help either, I tried it out of desperation. How relieved I was when the adviser not only connected me to the closest garage but also notified the local sheriff who came out to make sure I was okay until the mechanic showed up. GM is making a mistake getting rid of it.
It is my understanding that the transmitter in the car is more powerful than your handheld mobile phone. That means you can use it in spotty coverage areas. My 2013 Buick is still on the Verizon network, and I get very good coverage with it compared to my AT&T iPhone.
As I Understood the system, unlike your cell phone which is tied to one carrier, OnStar would use any cell carrier with coverage. While in metro areas that is irrelevant, in fringe rural areas (like Michigan’s UP), it would use AT&T or Verizon or whichever carrier it could reach. No doubt that is why the per-minute charges were higher, but for rural locations when combined with greater power and a superior antenna, it provided service where cell phones could not.
many times I have made calls on HFC when a cell wouldn’t connect due to”no coverage” My understanding is that it was using a satalite to connect. The only time I couldn’t connect was if I was directly under a very bushy leaved tree. In Michigan UP, cell coverage is not so great. I loved always being able to connect with HFC. Of course I am an older senior, and am not so reliant on a cell phone. If I didn’t have to almost be forced to use one, itI could do without. I hate no more HFC. Oh well!
So sad to read of OnStar HFC is being retired. A huge loss of a very useful feature that actually provides a safe method of placing or receiving a call while driving. A huge loss for GM products overall.
I have had it for many years and never used it. It was in a package that you couldn’t decline HFC with out canceling other features.
Total waste of money, glad to see it go.
Now work on getting rid of driving directions, something else I’ve never needed to use.
The “Directions and Connections” was okay five years ago, but they started hiring anyone with a pulse., This resulted in a lot of confusion, stupidity, and wrong instructions.
Add in a dose of “OnStar is presently serving other customers; please stand by” becoming the norm even on paid subscriptions, and it getting worse after each price increase, I stopped renewing.
Many people will try using cell phones while driving. Ridiculous that China will get this. Guess those if us who buy American don’t count. I have had on star for 10 years.
GM owns On Star , Barra made the decision to get rid of that important feature to increase her bonus.
Citation needed. Off-the-cuff barbs are not helpful to the discussion.
I’ve always bought GM, but losing Onstar ruined everything! This was part of why I bought GM! Now my 2015 Camaro doesn’t feel as sporty or as safe! This was not handled fairly. I feel cheated! I feel a class action suit is called for. I never got a notice and found out when I was renewing my Onstar plan. What I feel for the way we were treated is beyond angry.
That doesn’t make any sense. Not to mention that you didn’t provide any source to back up such a claim.
Crazyest thing on star could do is discontinue HFC.oo9
The feature that I miss the most is being able to lock and unlock my 109 thousand dollar Corvette with My Chevrolet app! ( the service used to be free) GM also eliminated one free oil change service from my vehicle. Through my career, General Motors was also the most ruthless auto maker to their suppliers, demanding price reductions each year and dictating that their parts be sourced in China.
This is such an extremely important feature and I have no clue why GM would get rid of it. It’s bad enough that my 2019 Terrain didn’t have Sirius XM in it now I’m not going to have a phone capability. I think it’s time to move on from GM. This was my first GM and I think now I may go back to my previous dealer and get what I had before I got the GM. It’s little things like this that may seem meaningless to this company but make a big difference to the consumer when going to make a purchase. You blew it GM.
I am very disappointed on eliminating On Star HF C. i used often
There are enough times that I forget my cell phone, that it makes it handy to have phone service in my Canyon and Cadillac CTS. I’m thinking that when the next generation Canyon comes out, I was going to trade in my 2015 Canyon. I was disappointed when it was announced that the V6 in the Canyon will not be available at all. Now no hands free calling…………that is enough to reconsider other brands for my next vehicle. No hands free calling, no V6, no spare tire in the Cadillac ( hard and noisy run flats instead). It doesn’t make much sense………a hands free phone and talking to a OnStar representative is about the same, plus it is a service I was willing to pay for.
There are areas in the country where my cell phone service did not work but my On-Star HFC did.
Me also! When asked why no more HFC I was told that it was because the current system is operating on 2 G, and technology is currently at or around 5 G. So is it just a question of Band width not being compatible with older vehicles, so do away, and possibly bring back at a later time with 5G system? I will just wait and see I guess.
I would like to know about the metrics the vehicle sends to On-star monthly. Mileage for computing service and oil change intervals is one metric. Also, will this mean that a stolen vehicle no longer can be disabled remotely? What about mapping features? Currently, you can send a destination to your vehicle, or someone else’s vehicle. Perhaps all these items will be fee based in the future. If there is an adaptation to make them Wi-Fi features, then there might just be a monthly fee for the mobile Wi-Fi rather than separate fees for cellular and Wi-Fi.
Where my house is located in rural northeast PA, there is no cell phone service. My cell phone only works when it can connect to my satellite internet wifi. If there is a storm and the internet or electric go out, I have no cell phone service at all. I have to use OnStar to contact the electric company and report the outage. OnStar always seems to work even when my cellphone won’t. I rely on OnStar at home as much as I do on the road. I will be very sorry to see it go.
That is because the antenna and everything in your car is about four or five times more powerful than the one in your phone.
You had better start calling GM and complaining.
Everyone on here needs to start calling their friends and family and having them call GM and then having those people call their friends and family and relay the message to call GM and complain.
“I want my HFC!” Just like we did in the 80’s with MTV.
BEST COMMENT ON HERE !!! I have a 2003 Cadillac CTS, and I LOVE the HFC!! Use it often, had it since I had that beautiful car! AND , I absolutely love having a separate ‘phone number’ and ‘ phone’ !! I actually hate cell phones, although you almost can’t function without the darn things….but will be totally, totally MISS the HFC if you don’t KEEP IT !! I don’t understand those that say it’s ‘not worth it’….then don’t have it…don’t buy the minutes!! Don’t rob the rest of us who found something worthwhile and a luxury they could afford if they want it !!
The other day when cell T-Mobile service was completely out for hours. OnStar was the only way I could comunícate to my kids & work. Its also the best, most reliable communication I have while in road trips. I wish it wasn’t going away.
Then call and write GM.You had better start calling GM and complaining.
Everyone on here needs to start calling their friends and family and having them call GM and then having those people call their friends and family and relay the message to call GM and complain.
“I want my HFC!” Just like we did in the 80’s with MTV.
They are making a huge mistake. They most likely will find out very soon. We are in our 70’s and we have been paying top dollar for this service. I sure hope they will wake up and listen to their clients like all of us.
I for one will miss it. I use it in place of my cell phone when I’m in my car (since my state has a law now where you can not even hold your cell phone while driving) and I don’t have a way to use the Bluetooth feature on my cell phone as my car is not equipped with an Infotainment system. I also like knowing that if my cell phone can’t get a signal my OnStar will. Plus having been the victim of domestic violence I feel much safer in my car with the Hands Free calling feature.
Had it years ago then never renewed a few years ago. “Smart phone” linked with Bluetooth works for me. Don’t need to pay for my Smartphone plan AND Onstar’s phone service too. I could care less that it’s being cancelled. It’s bad enough how expensive SiriusXM is.
Nuts. I just signed up for OnStar and now they start chipping away at it? Given how costly it is paid by user,?why would they feel they have to drop it? What does it save them?
I wish companies would leave well enough alone with services instead of feeling like they always have to screw around with things.
I had HFC OnStar in my earlier Suburban when I was crossing the country often. Also in a Volt, Cadillac, Encore. I never had a case where OnStar didn’t come through when my cell phones proved unreliable. Not once.
OnStar was a security blanket for many GM customers and eliminating too many options could cause GM business.
Sorry..but this is a bad move on GM’s part. Older vehicles like mine that is not equipped with bluetooth makes it impossible to use the phone..as more and more states will “ticket ” you for talking on a..non hands free phone. This as well as On Star..was a neccessary item when my wife and I was looking to buy an automatic
Basically like it or not just accept it. I always liked the feature because my Verizon service sucks when I go up north in Michigan. The tiny little one bar I get still makes me question why I keep looking at the signal indicator. I could always count on the phone in my truck working. Used too…now I guess I have to put some hope that 5 g may help , but disappointment in cell service is the one thing you can count on.
I’m disappointed that hands free calling is going away. It was my security when my phone was low on battery or i was in an area that I could not get a signal on my cell phone. BIG MISTAKE to retire it in my opinion. It was one of the reasons I bought my car. Wish they world leave well enough alone. PLEASE KEEP HANDS FREE CALLING!!!
VERY disappointed to learn hands free calling is being disconnected. It SAVED MY LIFE during a snowstorm. None of my home/cell,phones worked but managed to get help using ONSTAR!
Very disappointed, much wider range than cell phones. GM products provided this only in Canada maJor advantages
👎👎
On-Star Hands-Free Calling is my backup in the event I leave my cell phone at home or I am in an area with no cell service which happens more than is realized in the rural parts of the Nation. If I as the owner pay for the cost of Hands-Free minutes what should it matter? BIG MISTAKE TO DISCONTINUE.
I personally like the HFC and am very disappointed that it is going away. I currently have a 2018 Silverado, before that a 2013 Silverado, before that, etc., etc. All of our vehicles since the 90’s had this feature and it has been invaluable. Just had to push one button, and then talk to the rear view mirror. It is really great. So sorry to hear of it’s demise in 2022.
I hope the car lock out feature still e ists. I use it al.ose once monthly
GM could screw up a 1 car funeral. They got greedy w pricing for OnStar and that is what killed it.
We live in rural southern Ohio. Also drive in WV and KY. Frequently no cell phone service, no matter how “smart” the phone. Handsfree always worked. Bought Chevys last 10 years because of Ontsar and handsfree phone. GM keeps taking away things that make them more user friendly vehicles. We will look at Subaru for our next SUV purchase.
This is interesting. The obvious followup question is how this will affect the other OnStar voice-based services (emergency calls, customer service, remote vehicle diagnostics, etc.).
I have a Chevy Bolt EV, and OnStar is always the most disappointing point of the car.
No, I don’t want to pay you $14+ a month to tell me how much battery I have left + remote start + remote unlock. Nissan and BMW offer this for free.
I’m *Definitely* not paying $29 / month for hands free calling.
OnStar and their “you gotta talk to someone to adjust your billing plan” is bs as well. They literally give you an online account, buy hide all billing info from you in a obvious attempt to let people “forget” they’re paying for it.
I guarantee if OnStar just charged reasonable prices for their connectivity, they wouldn’t have to revert to these shady practices.
BMW charges $50 per year for their Connected Drive services after the initial 3 month free trial.
Nissan Connect is free for the first 3 years, then costs $12 per month.
I have owned my Chevy for over 5 years now and have been paying for the highest tier plan the whole time. I have never pressed the OnStar button. Not once. Might be time to downgrade to a lesser plan. The only things I really care about are emergency response and vehicle diagnostics/monthly vehicle report.
The Connective Drive on the BMW i3 is (was?) free for 5 years, Same for Nissan Connect for the Leaf. You also don’t have to jump through a bunch of hoops to activate them. Go to their website, setup an account, punch in your vin, give them a credit card number and they show you what you’re paying monthly.
Nissan Connect is also an open platform, you can hit openly documented software API’s and access your car’s information via your own apps,scripts,code,etc.
No doubt the “Emergency” aspect of OnStar is nice. The remote connectivity to your phone is also a *great* (especially for EV’s). However $14, $29, $39 a MONTH? BMW is $50 a year, thats $4 / month.
I don’t think anyone would be complaining about OnStar if they charged $4 a month… but they don’t, they charge $10 for 60 minutes of talk.
OnStar *MUST* know they’re not priced correctly, my only guess is they setup contracts with AT&T like 15 years ago for their cellular coverage and are stuck paying a 2020-outregious price.
Very disappointed. I’ve used it to call my parents in their car and my husband. When sometime there smart phones were not working. I used it everyday when getting off from work. It was way easier than my smart phone. I just press a button and call. Dont have to mess with bluetooth hook up while trying to leave the parking lot.
I purchased a new 2019 last year, will the navigation app on the infotainment still work without OnStar? I should have listened to my wife and bought a Kia.
Only the actual onstar phone,which most dont use anymore, will be effected. This change will have no affect on any of OnStar connected services or apps!
Wow, so since my ’07 Onstar doesnt support Bluetooth, I’m screwed for making any hands free calls after this feature ends !!!
Wow !! Since my `07 OnStar system does not support Bluetooth, I guess I’m screwed after this feature ends for making hands free calls !!!
To those complaining about this going away, get ready for more of this. Most cell phone companies are sunsetting their 3G services, which those without 4G modules in their GM vehicles will lose service. That will be a bigger issue than being able to make calls.
GM sent out a notice to bring your vehicle to have 4G upgraded in your vehicle…where were you?
What vehicle do you have because I haven’t received anything for that?
Nor have I for my Buick LaCrosse!
Had it for 10 years and feel safe, really only used it for directions, so that will be a few more dollars, since I lost my job to covid. Thanks On Star
Disappointing. I have relied on the calling plan many times in remote areas that my phone is useless at. I guess I’ll be screwed by GMC.
So I just got a 2020 Chevy, and my Bluetooth ony phone does not work, I rely on the HFC to make calls, so I don’t have it in my new car? Great, now I’m really excited
Wow this is very disappointing they keep removing features but keep charging the same amount. They got rid of the traffic report and the local weather. I used that when I traveled and was great. Now I loose my vehicle phone service. Onstar what are you going to start adding to make up the losses your taking away from your customers? Time to second guess staying with you all.
Typical GM ! Owning Buick’s for decades has forced me to shop elsewhere. And losing the cool feature add fuel to the fire.
People need to learn how to read, OnStar is not going away ithe the Hands free calling that is,honest ly the phone service is a joke you have to buy min. And they are use them or lose them,the smart phone is better technology anyway
I travel in many rural area for business and use HFC when my cell phone has no service. I wish they would reconsider.
Regarding Frank’s comment of use the minutes or lose them. They won’t take them if you complain, which I did. They don’t want to lose subscribers, but now they are going to lose a bunch of subscribers.
Very disappointing!
Very disappointed and sad! One of the reasons I liked and subscribed to onstar!
We used OnStar phone when we’r were on the road and our cell phones wouldn’t work. It’s a safety connection that we’ll miss. We’ve had OnStar since 2012.
This is a HUGE MISTAKE for GM to make this decision. Not everyone has a smartphone. OnStar HFC is much more reliable than a cell phone; it reaches areas where cell phones don’t. This is why I bought a GM car.
I agree with Frank. This is a HUGE mistake, as OnStar HFC is mush more reliable than a cell phone in remote areas. I have purchased GM vehicles for that reason since HFC was made available. I am very disappointed with GM for this decision.
Good Riddance. Never worked well during a heavy rainstorm. I did not use the service for a month when I was laid up due illness, then I needed for an important call but the system blocked me because my prepaid minutes had expired! On Star said I could have my minutes back if I bought more! Felt cheated and robbed. That’s when I cancelled and bought a cell phone.
I am disappointed because I love the peace of mind know that if my phone was stolen, lost, or disabled, I can make a phone call in my Suburban. I am so bothered that it even crossed my mind to cancel. I don’t know what I should do.
Noooo! The hfc is a life saver when you are in areas with spotty or no service! This is one of the reasons I bought my Buick. If I have no cell service I know I have the HFC to make emergency calls if I need to. Please reconsider and keep this feature.
typical GM ! have it in my saab and wanted to get the directions but they stopped it. dumb move they are making $ and customers want it ! go to blazes GM ! you are idiots !
This is a bad idea.. I depend on that contact to call for help when my own phone won’t work… please don’t do this
Very disappointed on loosing that option. I have used it in emergency when my phone had no signal
This is a decision made by men in suits sitting behind desks who probably don’t drive themselves anymore. They’re to inept and out of touch with the common man’s needs. Sadly there are endless number of places where I don’t get a cell signal. If I or any customer gets in an accident and have no cell signal any injuries above and beyond the accident are now payable by the party that turned off the lifeline. You’re playing with people’s lives but who cares nobody who makes a difference is going to read these anyway. Just Big Corp screwing the little guy once again.
Few if any of senior leadership have drivers any longer. I do remember those days. A lot of those guys were able to so familiarize themselves with GM leadership doing that earlier in their careers they greased the wheels for them to have a very long and productive GM career. That’s how it worked back in the day.
I don’t have a cell phone, so I rely on hands free calling for emergencies Please keep it
Cell phones have become so commonplace and inexpensive hard to believe you don’t have one, if for nothing else the peace of mind of staying in communication. As far as GM changing their decision on this, I’d say that is highly unlikely. Once they have made a decision it is akin to Ramses II saying So let it be written, So let it be done!
My husband uses OnStar exclusively because he does not want a cell phone. Please reconsider this decision.
18 September 2020
I agree with those who have not been very happy about the VERY variable seemingly fluctuating high cost of subscribing for OnStar. I have been an avid long time user of OnStar HFC since year 1990 and never received a decent recognition of lower annual pricing thru, for example, a loyalty recognition plan of sorts from OnStar. That is, my opinion, a sad and poor business practice. Further, although I have been using OnStar since year 1990….to date 30 years, OnStar emails show me as a member since year 2010!! My writing to OnStar multiple times to request OnStar, for sake of accurate record keeping, pride in customer retention and principal of customer recognition, correct my membership to year 1990 has not been honored. NOW, putting all the latter aside, here are my thoughts about DISCONTINUANCE of OnStar: Plans to discontinue OnStar HFC circa 2022 is a terrible, terrible selfish mistake by the Provider. Clearly, the safety OnStar HFC brings forth to a vehicle’s occupant…a person using OnStar while DRIVING, is truly second to none. It beats the mess of setting up some form of SmartPhone array in vehicle dealing with viewing the typical SMALL screen of a SmartPhone when necessary, no matter the model, builds into a negative safety factor for the user. Even if using a voice recognition SmartPhone array, nothing beats the presence of simply pushing a button on steering wheel or mirror to reach OnStar or, the audible quality and volume control afforded by OnStar: … simply put, the fact that basically you just simply don’t need to play around with a SmartPhone system to make a “phone call” while driving is major level convenient and safe!. Further, and especially so, the loss of navigation via OnStar verbal instructions instead of looking at vehicle’s navigation screen is shameful, as would be loss of accident alert–as in air bag deployment or simply having ability to call for assistance via OnStar…if system still working, when in a vehicular accident / mishap if conscious and able to speak. Finally, multiple times, “my” OnStar signal & a connection has been overly successful in “getting out” in mountainous areas wherein handheld cell phone failed…as in no signal available. This type situation for me has clearly presented many times as my State of residence presents mountainous areas or semi-rural to very rural areas with no handheld cell phone connection vs. OnStar….with signal reliably getting out for routine or emergency level calls. Discontinue OnStar HFC?? Again, a -SHAMEFUL & SELFISH DECISION! ====================================================================
I am very disappointed regarding on Star . I rely on it being alone in a car and always having hands free calling and if disabled getting whatever fixed. A bad decision to us when we paid for this all these years. Nobody cares about people today. Discuss ing.
I am paying $24.99 per month and never use it. Is there a cheaper plan I can get??
Believe it is a big mistake ….it probaly saves accident and maybe even death by allowing the driver to keep his eyes on their driving instead of fumbling around for your phone to see if it is worth answering .
It’s about time! Good riddance OnStar!
Every comment I read, the positive comments to keep OnStar, are righteously. Why in the world would you take a good product, almost perfect, away from the consumers knowingly that not all cellular service are perfect. If there weren’t any deadzone, then go ahead remove it. But unfortunately, there are deadzone areas. And OnStar is the only, so far, that has save many lives where the cellphones didn’t work. GM, you own OnStar, be smart. Especially now with this pandemic and God knows what is going to hit us in near future, don’t send it to the sunset. In other words, don’t cancel and kick your customers to the curve. At least find another replacement. Consumers don’t forget. Remember that. Cellphone are not too reliable.
Please don’t do away with on star I need it.
It’s useless! Cellphones made it obsolete. It was useless before cellphones too. Certainly not worth the money.
no there are many places cell does NOT work whereas the on star DOES ! read the + comments!
NOT HAPPY. You took away weather and traffic, and now this. Please rethink this idea and leave the hand free calling alone.
Please do not take away ion starPeople need this . Especially until pandemic is over . To many spots where phones don’t work. It was part of idea to purchase Buicks. (I cannot do away without it especially now. Peace iof mind .
What irks me is the fact that purchased minutes, as In I own the On-Star minutes, expires if not used !! In my case the vehicle in question is a fair weather go for a drive car !! With the pandemic raging this past year, the car has been in storage,but alas my purchased minutes have expired !!! What a load of crap!!
Minutes don’t expire, all you got to do is buy more even if it $10 for 30 minutes before the expiration date , then they continue. So if you got 100 minutes left and you buy 30 more before they expire you got 130 minutes for another year.
HFC is main reason I’ve been buying GM cars. It is more reliable than a cell phone. It gets signals when hand held phones can’t. I don’t want or have a smart phone. I’m almost eighty years old and quite happy with my flip phone. You’re the boss, I’m only a customer.
“HFC is main reason I’ve been buying GM cars. It is more reliable than a cell phone. It gets signals when hand held phones can’t. I don’t want or have a smart phone. I’m almost eighty years old and quite happy with my flip phone. You’re the boss, I’m only a customer.”
You do realize OnStar is just AT&T cell service… right?
I’m not referring to what carrier provides the service. It is a matter of convenience for those of us who don’t want smart phones.
I love my OnStar! I travel alone across the USA and always had a way to reach someone if I got lost. I had a TBI 5 years ago and buying this car with Onstar was an answer to my prayers. I don’t care about hands free calling. Just the turn by turn navigation. Which is a good price for just that. I just I will no buy GM anymore.
PLEASE DONT DO AWAY WITH ONSTAR HANDS FREE CALLING! I USE AND LOVE THIS FEATURE! IT WORKS EVERYWHERE AND I DO NOT HAVE A SMART PHONE. I LIKE THAT MY LOVED ONES CAN CALL ME AND I CAN CALL MY TEENAGERS IN THE CAR WITHOUT THEM FUMBLING FOR THE CELL PHONE! HANDS FREE CALLING IS THE FUTURE NOT THE PAST. CELL PHONES ARE NOT HANDS FREE. ITS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF PREVENTABLE ACCIDENTS
My husband hates cell phones. He uses OnStar calling exclusively when he is out on the road. Please reconsider keeping the service. It’s a blessing to have. We have used the service since it first started. Thank You
Cell phones have become such an integral part of our everyday lives I am not sure how you can hate one. To everyone posting here imploring GM to change this decision, it is a waste of time. They have made the decision, it is going to happen and no amount of posting on this or other sites is likely to change that.
Love the hands free calling and the fact I can still call where there is no service. Having onstar is a deciding factor to buy a GM auto or not. Love all features of onstar
DISSAPOINTED AND MAD!
I’m retired and don’t travel, so my need for a cell phone ( I don’t own one) would be for emergencies only. The reassuring hands free calling feature is a safety net in case of trouble while driving. It’s nice to have assistance available without paying the high price and unneeded features of a smart phone. I hope GM reconsiders their decision to end this tool. I gladly pay for minutes even though I may not need to use them.
GM is highly unlikely to change their mind on this. Not many OnStar subscribers use this feature and it is a money loser for them. Just get yourself a cell phone, there are many simple feature phones out there, even flip phones. I’m 61 and not sure how anyone today can get along without a cell phone.
As one of the few people, it seems, that do not own a smart phone, I’m disappointed that Onstar is retiring HFC. I use it a lot. I do have a flip phone, but I only carry it when I have a need to. Now I guess I’ll need to leave it in the car.
I am extremely disappointed to learn about this feature no longer being available. I have been a GMC/Chevrolet customer for many years because of this feature. I encouraged my daughter and nieces to buy GMC/Chevrolet as well because of this feature. As a woman, it is a wonderful safety feature. I frequently forget my Cel phone at home and never worried because I knew I could call from my car. Without this feature, I don’t know if I will pay for OnStar and I certainly will now be free to look at other automakers for future cars.
I’m sorry to hear this! I rarely carry a cell phone anywhere…hate them. Loved being able to catch up w friends/fam using hfc.
Hate that on star is leaving. When we got this car new knowing that on star was there for us was one of the selling point. Why did you do this. We were happy with service. Now I need to get money back for minutes I just purchased.
I find in extremely disappointing. I have used my on star when cell phone couldn’t be used. I think it’s as much a safety feature, worth paying for, that I have chosen vehicles because they have it available. I wish all companies had on star available. I will choose a vehicle for my children based on it.
I’m not renewing. I phoned last week to do so. The rep who was yelling and screaming at me told me I don’t have that feature. I responded that I have an email verification, postal mail confirmation and electronic verification on the payment section on the Cadillac website. She kept screaming at me.
I was put on hold providing me with a comfortable opportunity to end the call.
No more OnStar for me. Last Cadillac. Goof job Ms. Barra!
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ironic that ms Bara , a woman will allow the discontinuing of a tech that is VERY helpful to alone , vulnerable women ! in an emergency , my sister and wife could call for help and avoid being crime victims !
PLEASE do NOT end the service ! and DO improve it ! make the charges fair and low cost you want an edge over other carmakers ? this is IT !
It is ridiculous that you are doing away with hands free calling. It is much safer the.way it was. But apparently GM does not care about safety especially with older drivers . Guess they are catering to younger drivers. Think we should have had a choice however that isn’t the case. Guess China will benefit from it. Good old U.S.A
I’m new to GMC (05 2500HD) can I not use the OnStar as a ‘hands-free’ with my phone?
That’s not what this is about. You can still use your cellphone with the blue tooth set up IF it is equipped. However, On Star is a completely separate cell number dedicated to your vehicle.
Wrong decision to cancel H F C. What about hurricanes Tornadoes etc. what happens when power for cell phones is down? I hope you reconsider.
IF the entire grid is down, then even OS is down. However, if we are in that sort of situation in these times, then we are really in a world of hurt. There are a lot of redundancies and back ups in place these days. However, the antenna and equipment in the OS equipped vehicles is still much stronger than what we have even in todays modern cellphones.
My wife was involved in an accident on I-95. No one could reach South Carolina authorities except my wife’s OnStar phone. Please do not remove this feature as it certainly has the potential to be a life saver when cell towers cannot be reached!!!
I love the idea of crash notification, can’t always have cell service but Onstar is there if you need directions, I like the diagnostic feature as well. Come on GM everything isn’t about money, peoples safety and security of knowing someone is there if you need them is very important !!!
One main reason for my purchase of GM product was for Onstar. Safety first GM !!
Please keep Onstar !!!
I am very disappointed that my vehicle (2020 Buick Envision) does not have the hands free minutes calling. In my area there are so many dead spots that you can not get cell service. I always liked using the hands free minutes because if I was out somewhere working as a Realtor I always had connection to someone if my cell service did not work. On my 2013 model it worked great. I could make calls wherever I was and I felt safe. I am very disappointed that there is no hands free calling minutes or services. I will be selling my buick to find something that does work to be safe when cell service does not work.
Please do not cancel that feature. Will they refund me for all the unused minutes ???
So lucky to have read this article, as next month is my renewal time again. Guess I will not renew. I may also change my mind about purchasing my 10th Corvette in the future.
What a shame! We used to buy every 2 years the GMC SUVs for our family for the safety and convenience of OnStar and HFC with built in Verizon account. Sounds like a misguided middle management idea and decision with no concern for the loyal long time customers who still want that system. Unfortunately its time to reconsider our new family and biz fleet in 2022.
Bad move , and I just tried to renew my safety and security plan and that’s unrenewable now. Looks like it’s only the essential plan and premium plan now except for the connected plan which is useless. It doesn’t include any services just WiFi items.
Plus the essential plan is $279.00 a year ( the cheapest they’ll give you)
GM is really messing up.
I am very disappointed I have a cell phone and experience holes in my area. I have never had a problem getting through with my Onstar. It’s been very impressive, I would actually pay to upgrade my car system.
Very unhappy having my service cutoff with 400+ minutes on it. Should be at least refunded.
I used it last week and this morning it said “no minutes”.
I was just on the phone with an OnStar customer service rep. She told me that there was a change in the law that prohibits OnStar from offering hands-free calling in new cars being sold, but that the feature would continue to be offered for those cars/owners that already have it. Either the rep’s account or this article are incorrect and/or incomplete. I would love to know the facts.
I don’t know. I read an article from Vauxhaul about cars in Europe that stated those cars that split off from GM would not get the services due to contract issues.
But I have not heard or read anything about a law prohibiting this. That sounds fishy to me. Did she happen to site the law?
I’ll dig into that a bit.
There seems to be a running trend on here, and that is that the On-Star HFC, as well as many other features of this service are used and well liked by a lot of people. Yes, there are others that don’t like or even use the system, and that is OK. I mean, I don’t use the CD player or the center seatbelt in the front row of my Sierra, but you don’t hear me complaining about it.
However, for those of you that actually use these features and systems, You had better start calling and writing GM and complaining. But do it in a professional manner.
Everyone on here needs to start calling their friends and family and having them call GM and then having those people call their friends and family and relay the message to call GM and complain.
“I want my HFC!” Just like we did in the 80’s with MTV.
Remind them that you are all buyers and can easily go buy new cars from other manufacturers just as easily.
But more importantly, remind them exactly why you use these systems and the benefits and safety and security that they provide. Tell them that they provide you safety and connectivity in times when/where a cellphone or even sometimes a land line may not.
GM discontinued the HFC in all vehicles built from 2020 and up. Those prior to 2020 still had connectivity. GM “will” discontinue HFC because of this. For one I will be able to cancel my OnStar subscription and be able to afford a cell. Most cell phone users use “Waze” for directions, so that will cause many to go that way. OnStar will be gone when all goes down soon. I’m sure GM will try and figure out a way to rid their vehicles to use CarPlay and any other software that communicates to your cell phone because it’s all about the $Benjamins$. I wont miss the costs. 14 yrs with them.
This is the first I have heard Onstar HFC is being discontinued. I was thinking of not renewing this feature anyway given I have a smartphone like everyone else, plus I have seen dead signal areas when visiting my rural hometown, even with OnStar’s 3 watts of transmitter power and external send/receive antenna. However, for whatever reason, I believe I understood that when hurricane Ira hit the Louisiana region in late August 2021, CNN reported the only phones working were OnStar phones. Maybe GM will hear about it and think twice before discontinuing the service.
“I believe I understood that when hurricane Ira hit the Louisiana region in late August 2021, CNN reported the only phones working were OnStar phones.“
What a missed opportunity to not market this as an alternative if your cell phone isn’t working
Please do NOT retire OnStar. I love this feature so much.
Might not purchase another GM vehicle if no longer offering this feature. ☹️
Please do not take away my HFC! I drive my GMC dually pulling a living quarters trailer , gross cost exceeds my house… and am much more comfortable using the hands free than my cell phone. The HFC also , as others have said, picks up where cell phones do not. I go hiking and camping alone , and often this HFC is the only method I have to contact my husband.
OnStar prices increase, and services decrease… uuummm. .not good. 😕
After 16 1/2 years & 3 vehicles, I will not be renewing ANY OnSTAR services in the future.
Man, you’re getting rid of my security blanket. Bad move GM.
I’m a 100% disabled wartime veteran. I truly need ALL the features of OnStar due to my disability. Because of scuds used in the Gulf War, I now suffer from short and long term memory loss. The turn by turn kept me safe and have me peace of mind. The person on the other end always calmed me down and reassured me they’d get me where I needed to be. One time when leaving the VA, the traffic was heavy and I got loss. My phone service was down due to the storm and I had just recieved bad news from my doctor. So OnStar was my lifeline that kept me from a full blown anxiety attack and helped me find a way back home.
Iunderstand you’re a company and look to make the best decisions for the betterment of your company, however, it’s the worse decision the company could’ve made for people like myself and I’m extremely disappointed with you. I’d pay whatever price you’d asked for, just to keep my peace of mind. Now, it’s a tough I’m being forced to stay home because of my inability to remember.
Thanks a lot OnStar.
HFC is the best thing for senior citizens, it’s our retirement money, 401k,social security
Pension fund that bought these cars now
GM COULD SHOW SOME THANKS FOR ALL THE YEARS OF LOYAL PURCHASES.INSTEAD
WE GET NOT S….T IN RETURN!
I will miss this service. It has helped in several situations. I too, wonder if the other services will still be available.
I just got a flyer in the mail about OnStar Link. It’s the first I’ve even heard of the hands free feature going away. Starting in March 2022 a plug-in device will be available for vehicles with OnStar 2015 and older. BUT the buttons for direct access to OnStar (in my Equinox they’re on the rearview mirror) will be deactivated. You have to download an app to your phone, sync it to the plug-in device and contact OnStar thru your phone. Supposedly the app will use some kind of feature that smartphones are equipped with that detects a crash and will automatically contact emergency services. The phone MUST be with you or you’re SOL. In other words, one of the best safety features cars have been equipped with is going away. I call BS on GM. I’m sure the savings they will see from not having to install that system in every one of their vehicles will be substantial. And we all know that savings ain’t gonna be passed on to the consumer. So whatever you do, don’t ever, EVER leave home without your phone. And you better gorilla glue that sucker to your body so in the unfortunate event of an accident it doesn’t go flying out of reach. And you better hope your phone has that crash detect feature and that it’s working. Oh, and make sure you crash or have car trouble in an area with cell reception.
Bad move General Motors. Careless and thoughtless. My grandfather and uncle both retired from GM in Kansas City. As a woman who has owned and driven only Chevys, probably at least 20 in my life, I am incredibly disappointed and disheartened to learn you are doing this and trying to camouflage it by suddenly making OnStar available to anyone with a smartphone. For a price of course.
I’d like to believe that all the comments people have posted here before me, most as upset as I am, will make a difference to the decision makers at GM. I’m not holding my breath though. Money talks. We the people pay the price.
I live in an area that is MILES away from any hospital. There are miles and miles of hills, curves, ravines, etc., and often no phone service. GM doing away with this is absolutely horrible. I too have bought new Chevys over the years, and having this feature was important to me. Unfortunately, the almighty buck is the only thing anyone cares about anymore. They could come up with a solution if they so chose to do so. SAD, SAD, SAD.
Will the mirror still work if it’s a 2016 or earlier? Your comment says 2015 or later is for the app.
She said 2015 and OLDER cars.
It gets even worse. OnStar has said that older cars are only equipped for 2G cellular data. If you want ANY OnStar service going forward in these cars, you must plug in a module to your car’s diagnostic port, which will then use your mobile phone for communications with OnStar. The buttons in your car will be deactivated and you will lose HFC AND turn-by-turn routing.
I have bought and accumulated 600+ HFC minutes, to preserve my ability to roll them over. I consider HFC my safety net. What’s going to happen to this investment?
Your safety net is gone. Full stop.
Thing is, cellular technology has been evolving since it was introduced. Analog systems have been replaced by digital ones, and we are all better for it. More reliability, faster speeds, the ability to support more and more phones on the network. And now we have 5G systems slowly replacing 4G, and the NEXT generation (6G) is already being planned. GM KNEW that 2G and 3G systems would some day be turned off, and chose NOT to design an upgrade that would integrate with the car. It may have been considered and discarded due to an anticipated lack of demand. I don’t know of a good upgrade path that would be affordable. But I DO know that my OnStar subscription ends on Oct. 7 and that I’m done with them, at least for my current car.
As a old but very true business equation goes. Value = Benefit – Cost. From GMs perspective it would not be cost effective to go back and try and retrofit millions of pre 2016 vehicles to use current technology.
I’m sorry to see this feature being discontinued. Onstar/HFC were primary reason I continued purchasing vehicles equipped with these features. I usually don’t carry a cell phone. Guess I can now expand my search for new vehicle. I’m really disappointed.
Big mistaké this was a feature that was a selling point for us since we are in our 70’s a cell phone is not something we use. We will not look for a Chevrolet again if this is how you consider customers.
How can anyone in today’s world not have a cell phone? I’m in my 60’s and find my smartphone indispensable.
Maybe not everyone is like you and they don’t want a smartphone. This was a selling point in GM cars and now they’re taking it away and I can see how people are upset, me being one of them.
Times change, the vast majority of the population now has smartphones. Also, GM is getting ready to shut down all the pre 2015 OnStar vehicles that use 2 and 3G technology. Sorry but one must adapt to change or be left behind and change is moving ever faster!
I guess if you have an unlimited funds and you can afford to get a new car every two to three years then sure but not all of us are like that. Some of us don’t waste our money and spend it on the most frivolous things. But you be you and tell everybody you think it’s okay and that everyone else should keep up. That’s helpful.
I do not have a cell phone. I will miss the HFC feature. I have always been a GM guy, but may go to a Ford!
I’m 78 years old with no cell phone… I need HFC !!!
Why do my 👍 votes keep disappearing ? !!!
Same happened to mine! Talk about a ‘conspiracy’!! 😄.
A new comment has been posted on OnStar Hands-Free Calling Will Be Sunset in 2022 by Edward M Pate:
Sorry but it’s going away and all the folks on here complaining about it isn’t going to change that. GM has made a decision here and obviously the business not out there to support that feature. Accept it, and move on.
Thank you… NOT !!! And I surely will.
A new comment has been posted on OnStar Hands-Free Calling Will Be Sunset in 2022 by Edward M Pate:
Edward M Pate: YOU ARE AN A**HOLE !!!
I just have to ask how anyone could not have any flavor of cell phone in this day and age? Especially as you get older and may need to call while out and about. There are still folks hanging onto land lines in their homes but there have been several cases where local telco providers have just shut that service down and discontinued it as it was costing them more to maintain than they were getting in revenue. This GM OnStar HFC calling issue much the same, a company is not going to keep offering a service they are not making a lot of revenue on just because a small handful of customers like it. That’s true for any product out there.
It is unlikely that local telco providers have “just shut that service down.” Universal Service is still a Federal law and telco providers MUST provide service. (I’m sure there are exceptions for inaccessible or undeveloped areas, but NOT just at the whim of the provider.)
GM managed to bridge the gap with new hardware when analog systems were replaced by digital. I assumed that there would be an attempt to maintain capability in bridging from 2G and 3G data networks to the more modern 5G and beyond. I’m obviously wrong on that score.
Finally, calling another poster names because you can’t understand their position or reasoning is being a pretty petty person.
Sorry to hear this as it was one of the featurse I liked.
Very disappointed to learn of the planned retirement of on* in 2022. I have Cerebral Palsy and drive with custom controls. Hands free calling works very well for me. PLEASE KEEP HANDS FREE CALLING!!!!
I am so angry that OnStar will be unavailable in the near future. I do NOT use my phone as a so-called ‘smart’ phone, even though it has that capability. But even if I were one of the millions of people now glued to their phones, the thoughtless people who decided on this drastic move NEVER considered these facts: People forget to take their cell phones with them sometimes; they lose their cell phones; they break their cell phones; their cell phones have been known to fall into pools or toilets (Yes, I know people to whom these have happened); they forget to CHARGE their phones; and their phones get stolen. (This happened to my daughter while eating at an outdoor cafe.) The list could go on! I have heard numerous stories about people who lost house phone power but could go to their cars and make an OnStar call. And I LOVE the loud, clear voices of the people I’ve called at OnStar the two times I had to use it when I got lost. I did NOT have to have a CELL PHONE OUT IN ORDER TO MAKE A CONTACT! And my eyes stayed on the road.
It’s just disgusting that, as mentioned above, we senior citizens were NOT CONSIDERED in this ill-thought-out decision. I bought my GM in 2011 SO THAT I COULD HAVE ONSTAR!!! I will deliberately NOT buy another GM because I am so angry.
I wholeheartedly agree with EVERYTHING you said. Technology is taking over the world and it is NOT all good.
I was completely unaware that HFC is being retired. I tried making a call today only to be told that I had no minutes left. Knowing I had at least 120 minutes, I called the advisor who said they had expired in October. When I explained that I had not received the usual email reminder she gave me 100 minutes, which would expire in 3 months.When I pressed why for only 3 months, there was no answer other than the plans have changed. I just did some research & came across this page. I am so disappointed – as has been mentioned previously, OnStar has been the only way we have been able to get assistance when travelling in areas with no cell service. I truly hope they reconsider this decision.
I live in northern NY and there are MANY I travel that DO NOT HSVE CELL SERVICE. What’s going to happen when I have an Accident???
I called OnStar tonight to add minutes to our 2009 Avalanche. Tried to make a call…ZERO minutes. Yep all 800 had vanished. Todays representative was nice enough, where he added 300 free calling minutes. I told him, we paid for all of those minutes, and they shouldn’t just go away. Last month, when RENEWING service on our 2010 Tahoe… I was told minutes HAD to be purchased every 3 months, instead of 6 months. Well advise us… why don’t you?
THEN, he tells me… “As of February 2022, OnStar will no longer provide hands free calling”. Say what? My heart sank. How could this be? I advised him, we’re older folks… don’t use cell phones. We depend on these car phones. So upsetting.
I then filed a formal complaint tonight with this representative. We’ll see if “someone” contacts me?
Might as well drop OnStar. Or better yet, get away from GM products. That’s the thanks we get, for being loyal customers purchasing NOTHING but GM products for over 55 years. Sad to think GM would fail us now. CARMA! Hope, it comes back to bite GM…
.
Just tried to buy minutes for my 2016 Corvette, my tenth. Astounded to learn that HFC is going away. I despise cell phones and have not gotten caught up in all the 3G, 4G, 5G nonsense. Didn’t have to worry about forgetting a cell phone or pairing a cell phone or if the cell phone was charged. Loved the friendly voice and the Corvette having its own phone number just as my 2011 Cruze did. OnStar Hands Free Calling beats the inferior systems offered by Ford, Chrysler and the rest hands down! This is most certainly about bottom line but I think that it will prove a short-sighted business decision. I’ll always buy Corvettes, but insofar as other vehicles go, OnStar was a selling feature.
Jack, I agree. I have an older CTS that I love and is in great shape AND I feel exactly as you do about the car having it’s ‘own number’ ! It was also much better than a cell phone which I usually didn’t have ‘handy’ and knew I just had to push one button! What a horrible decision!
What about those of us who don’t have a smart phone??? I’ve had OnStar on three vehicles for years. Although we don’t travel as much , we depend on the OnStar phone.
I’m disappointed that On star Hand free calling stops in February 2022. I’m hearing impaired and have not bought a cell phone because of my poor hearing. Hand free calling has been a big help to me not to mention the gps system. On star cut the weather and traffic without telling anyone and now the hand free calling. So why do I need onstar now??? I’m looking for another service. Please help me find another GPS/HAND FREE CALLING car service.
Thank You
You could get a cell phone with just talk and text and use Bluetooth for the hands free calling.
Also there’s a map app called “Here Maps “ I know it’s on Apple because I have it not sure about a android phone. You don’t need cell service either it works offline with the gps on your phone. You just download the states you want updates are free.
You can download the whole planet if you want to.
I wish I could help you but I’m not very tech savvy myself. I have a Smart phone but I don’t have it attached to my hip like most people and I don’t usually Carry it with me in the car. If I’m in an accident how will I get to my phone if it slides away. Or if I’m too hurt to use it. No one in the CEO offices seem to care at all
You can still get a plan if you get in a accident OnStar contacts you in the car to get you help. But the airbags must go off . If they don’t go off you gotta push the emergency button to call them like it always been.
Older drivers needed this service. It is better than cell phones.
I’ve been paying for hands free calling for years and never used it. It is only 30 min a month . That’s not even a short phone call to your mate to find out what to bring home from the store. And the minuts are not carried over to the next month besides being too expensive compared to your cell phone.
Not only will this effect hands on calling, which we use extensively, for older vehicles like my wife’s 2015 Camaro but we will also loose turn by turn navigation in 2022 per Onstar. My wife is on a liver transplant list and we rely heavily on turn by turn navigation for her out of state medical appointments. Guess we need to start looking for a new gps navigation system for her car.
Only HFC is going away nothing else. Everything else Onstar has is staying the same turn by turn, crash response, and all the other stuff
Tom I hope that is true but according to the Onstar rep I talked to yesterday turn x turn navigation will slowly start shutting down 6/2022 and be totally gone by 12/2022 for my wife’s 2015 vehicle. I had received and email earlier this year regarding the changes in 2022 that will impact her car and it also stated a plug in device for the vehicle to generate turn by turn would be supplied at no cost if requested within a certain time frame. The device was to work in conjunction with an app on our cell phone but the rep I talked to yesterday said it does not look like that’s going to happen now due to issues between Onstar and the carrier.
Per the Onstar rep turn by turn navigation is still up in the air as it’s a vital selling feature for them so maybe they will still offer it for older model vehicles. I have been a subscriber since late 2014 but if turn by turn navigation will no longer be offered for her car there is no other reason to continue subscribing.
Tom it would certainly help me if you would contact Onstar regarding turn x turn navigation for older 2015 vehicles and post back with your findings to clear up my confusion. Regards RudyP.
I never received a email about that so maybe it’s just older cars For turn by turn. If you got a cellphone try this app out for directions it’s free it’s called “Here WeGo maps & Navigation “ I know it is on iPhones because I have it , I’m not sure if it’s on Android though but I’m thinking it is I don’t see why they have it for one platform and not the other.
The best part is you do not need a cellphone connection for it to work it works off the phones GPS. It has free updates you just need to download the states you want or the whole United States. You can download the whole planet if you want to.
You can download as much or as little as you want. Also works if you’re walking. It has gas stations, restaurants etc.
Does anyone know why this is being taken from us, don’t we matter anymore??
The decision to drop hands free calling with OnStar may make sense to the accountants @ GM but to anyone who has had to use it when all other forms of communication failed, it will be missed….
For the majority of hours spent in a vehicle, hands free calling is primarily a convenience however, it’s true value is that it is a priceless a safety net and security feature when needed.
A few years ago our community was hit by a cat 5 hurricane that took out the power, phone, cable & all cell towers for 10 days the area was pretty dark. The only thing that worked was OnStar. We were able to call out of town relatives, access the internet to conduct business and even stream network news. That functionality convinced me that my next vehicle would also have OnStar.
I received email some months ago about on star sending me a item to.plug into my car,because hands free calling is gone
I called today no one know nothing.
I want to know what my service I pay for each month is for. I had 485 minutes left on my plan.
Give me back money and tell.me what else you are talking away. Very unhappy
Those two things mutually exclusive. The shutting down of the Hands Free Calling was a business decision by GM. The module that will have to be installed in the vehicles OBD II port and then paired with a downloadable app on your smartphone is due to the fact that cellular carriers will be shutting down the G2 and G3 cellular services that OnStar vehicles used prior to the 2015 model year. When that is done all the OnStar buttons on your mirror become inoperable.
What do mean, ‘all the buttons on the mirror will become inoperable’?? No ‘0n Star’….even the ‘emergency’? You mean, all you expect is that that everyone carry a cell phone…no ‘in vehicle’ convenience communication system?
Well, what a let down. So unique, and appreciated service and just throw it out now? Thx….NOT!
What do you mean “what do you mean”? If you have a pre-2015 vehicle you should have received a communication from OnStar about this. I’m not wild about the fact that I got that right after I had renewed for another year. I’ll probably install the module and use the app until my current subscription ends in Sept 2022 but after that no value to me in OnStar over what I could just use my cell phone for.
WHAT? You said ALL THE buttons won’t work. That’s what I asked….SO…NO I was NOT notified about this, I just happen to call On Star and the rep mentioned it! And, yes, I have a much older car, but, I intend on keeping it.
And, this stinks.
Never received information about HFC until I traded in my 2014 equinox.
I depended on having this phone service. Am very distraught that it is being cancelled.
First GM sold us on how much better OnStar was compared to a handheld phone and now they flip flop. In the last two months my monthly rate has increased $5 per month because of the app (which I don’t want) and OnStar has ripped everyone off by stealing our minutes. I understand you are retiring the system by Feb 2022, but you are not telling people the full story. OnStar is shutting down now by stealing your remaining minutes and refusing to sell you more. Thus, Hands Free Calling is dead! I praised GM/OnStar when it first came out but am sad to see how the system has degraded over time. Question: Will OnStar give us a credit for the minutes they stole?
I am very disappointed that hands free calling is being taken away. They do not roll over your minutes anymore. My phone numbers were stored in my On Star system and I only needed to say the name tag. I really don’t know what other services were taken away. It doesn’t seem worth it anymore.
Without HFC I will now do away with my OnStar account. I didn’t use the system all that much but it was reassuring to know it was there if needed.
Doug
not very happy about losing phone in the car as i don’t have a cell phone.
While I understand the angst of many about losing this feature I just don’t understand how anyone can function in today’s world without owning a cell phone. How to you take and receive calls at home? A land line, better hold on to your hat because the days of land lines are also numbered. The telcos view those as money pits to support and maintain and their days are numbered.
It really isn’t anyone’s business who has a cell phone or not. So what if they don’t, and they like the convenience of the car having one? Mr. Pate, why do you feel the need to try and discredit the opinions of others? Just because YOU you don’t agree with what someone says doesn’t mean you have to try and convince them they are wrong.
When I see opinions that don’t make sense I have no problem calling them out. Times change, adapt and change or be left behind. I mean you can always chose to abandon technology and live like the Amish too.
Mr Pate, Your sarcasm is duly noted. Not sure why it really matters to you why people disagree with this hands-free calling going away. Not everyone has to agree with you. And it is pretty pathetic that you think you need to call them out on it. You sound like one of those people that talk at people rather than having a good dialogue with somebody and listening to all points of view. Do the Amish do that? Do you know everything about that too?
What I REALLY don’t get looking at this thread is that GM has made a business decision based on some very sound technical and financial info and people just keep crying and begging for them to change their mind. It isn’t going to happen, just accept that. Remember, as a former GM CEO so famously said. “GM is NOT in the business of making cars, GM is in the business of making money.” Hey I know my GM stock doing just fine under Mary’s leadership.
While technology does change and improve, remember that OnStar was sold as being a much better option than traditional cell phones. Based on many of the responses, you will see that those benefits still apply today. OnStar has a higher power transmitter and external antenna which makes a big difference compared to a Smart phone sitting inside a metal cage. My complaint is with ethics. OnStar reported that the system was going down in Feb. Not true. The system here in Los Angeles is down now. In addition, no compensation is being given for lost minutes. Since OnStar received payment for those minutes, it’s unethical to take them away without warning people to use them. I was under the impression we had until Feb 22, the announced shut-down date.
Yes, GM has made a business decision & I am happy that your GM stock is doing so well, however business decisions have consequences despite your blithe dismissal of people’s valid concerns. Many of us have chosen GM vehicles because of the availability of HFC for one, not because we don’t have cell phones/technology but because of the capability of making calls when driving through dead zones, when driving alone through unfamiliar areas, when in accidents or experiencing medical emergencies. I have a reasonably new 2018 XT5 & it doesn’t fit with some of the rather feeble reasons GM has given to others with older vehicles for the sunsetting of HFC. I did not receive any information regarding the February 2022 sunset for any one of the 3 GM vehicles we have had over the last 12 months (with the 2009 Acadia going to our son). I would hate to think what may happen when HFC is gone & there are more natural disasters like the tornados in Kentucky, the flooding in Washington state or the wildfire in California when all landlines & cell towers are no longer working & the only way to communicate would have been HFC. I’m positive there was absolutely no thought given to such a consequence by those who made such a mere business decision. GM may be in the business of making money, but they are also going to be held accountable for every business decision that could put peoples’ lives in potential jeopardy.
I could’t agree more.. HFC is the only method of communication that worked for our community after a cat5 hurricane took out the cell service, land lines , power lines & internet for 10 days.
100% agree and when I pressed a GM rep I was told that the phone in HFC will work on a gen 3 and 4 phone lines but not 5g lte when I asked how come you insinuate that it is a satellite phone, I was told I didn’t get my facts straight, well for them to put a 3g phone in my 2020 Tahoe and make me purchase it without ever having HFC available is borderline criminal, next car I purchase is a Q7 Audi. Bye bye Gm
I’m am very disappointed with losing my phone. As of today I had over 1400 minutes that will expire at midnight tonight. To me, that is unacceptable! Now I’m, not only considering dropping on star, but even buying a GM vehicle again !!!
I’m am very disappointed with losing my phone. As of today I had over 1400 minutes that will expire at midnight tonight. To me, that is unacceptable! Now I’m, not only considering dropping on star, but even buying a GM vehicle again !!!
Obviously, someone didn’t like my comment !
Don’t you wonder if they want us to all drop them and then next year they will offer it at a much higher rate? Seems everyone is just out for #1, themselves
I can see that you care nothing about what i write ! You said in my other comment that ” I ” previously said something !!!!!!!!!!!
Frankly, I’ve never commented on her before but that was your way of not posting my earlier comment.
we live so far om in the woods on star hands free is the only way we can have a cell phone or call on the road for emergency this is horrible to hear
Typical of all companies these days. We have had on-star since the early 2000s. It is on both my Cadillac’s. We use HFC because it is illegal to talk on a cell phone. It was also handy when my spouse had an accident. She was so upset that she could not dial a phone. All she had to say is call home. We also use it for traffic updates from me when she is on her way to work. It will be missed. I guess they do not want to offer upgrades to 4g. Just a final note. The reason I own Cadillacs and we have 3 is because of the features. A 2007 DTS, 2014 Escalade, and 2019 Escalade. Even our historical vehicle is a 70s Eldorado.
What a shame.
Although I rarely use HFC, the piece of mind to having this feature in the car when I accidentally leave my phone at home. To be able to call someone and say hey I left my phone or you can just call me on the car gave me peace of mind! I totally hate this feature is leaving and I wish they would reconsider!!!
I have lost so much trust with On Star. My reason for having On Star was the phone that was easy to use. I do know On Star will make a call for you but it’s not the same as saying name tag and the phone has the numbers stored in it.When your driving you can’t look your numbers up. I do have Alexa in the car but it never works for calling someone.
After using all my minutes I dropped Onstar all together…I don’t need them to tell me I need an oil change or my tire pressure is low…
My husband does not have a cell phone and we will really miss the hfc. We bought 100 minutes which was good for a year and only used it to get a hold of each other, not to chat with friends. It has come in very handy when he was overdue from a hunting day, and I could get a hold of him to make sure all was ok. Our minutes ran out Nov 2021 and we could not buy anymore. It’s too back we couldn’t keep this with the older trucks , that is one reason we bought this truck.
Well I’ve had onstar sice 2014 which is when I got my GMC 2014 Terrain. I am Hearing impaired so I’ve not gotten a cell phone because of my hearing. Hand free calling has really been good for me being Hearing Impaired. Also the GPS system has been great. We’ve used it to go from home to Las Vegas which was an 8 hour trip. Took us right to our hotel in Vegas. When the traffic and weather was l discontinued I was upset but I stayed with OnStar. My plan has been I get 30 minutes for Hand free calling a month. Last month I was down to 7 minutes and called to see where my minutes were and was told I was on a plan now that I can’t get minutes.. But they sure knew how to take my money. I called and was told someone will call me about getting a refund. I sure hope so. The bottom line is : No traffic report, No weather report, No GPS, and no Hand free calling. So why should I renew my subscription next March? So I don’t need crash protection when I only had one accident since I’ve been driving which starred when I was 16 years old and I’m now 75. Big Joke. This will cost #199,00, BIG BIG JOKE. So now I have 7 minutes to call on until March 2022. Thanks for nothing ONSTAR.
I spoke with an OnStar agent a week ago when my 400+ HFC minutes became zero and she advised me of the discontinuation of the calling minutes but the other OnStar services would remain. She told me there will be a converter available next year to make the system in my 2007 vehicle Bluetooth compatible but I did not fully understand how it would work. I agree with the others that having the minutes available and service nearly everywhere was a huge benefit.
I tried to add minutes with a rep recently m…because I left my cell phone at a business! I was shocked to find the service wi be canceled. The antennae is on the vehicle.
I think customers that purchased relying on HFC should have the phone option if they choose to pay for it. I wonder what other features will be dropped. This is a negative move GM! Onstar HFC was a HUGE selling point for me. We gave 4 GM vehicles.
The loss of Hands Free Calling is very significant. Has GM sent out an official notification to their customers? What, if any services will continue to function? Is the WiFi hot spot and navigation also going away?
The storm damage in Kentucky and adjacent states reminds me of a time when a major hurricane took down power, telephone and cable tv lines in my community. For nearly 2 weeks we were without power, telephone land lines & cell, no internet, no TV but ON Star HFC & internet hot spot was working!
Having the security and ability to communicate with family & Business clients when nothing else was working was so significant at that time, that it convinced me that we should always have a GM vehicle w/ OnStar. Very disappointed in GM & their lack of communication….
So sad…. I don’t believe GM cares one darn bit, about their customers, and how much we depend on HFC. Yes indeed, when all other devices fail, during a hurricane… we could always depend on the car phones. Apparently, from what I’ve read…. GM has been planning to eliminate this service since 2017. And, newer model years do not have this feature in the vehicles. Guess it wasn’t importance for GM, to advise their customers OF THESE CHANGES? Or perhaps they’ve kept it under wraps to preserve the OnStar business (the real money)?
I found out about this service going away, quite by accident. I called OnStar because the truck phone wouldn’t work. Was advised the minutes had expired, and we’d need to renew every 3 months, instead of 6 months. Just like the minute renewal went from 1 year to 6 months… without notice. I said “we paid for these minutes, and should have over 800”. The representative gave us 300. I thought that odd… because OnStar doesn’t give away anything. Nothing else was said.
Then, a few weeks later… I call to add minutes… That’s when the representative tells me HFC will be “SUNSET in February 2022”. SAY WHAT? DEVESTATING news. As a loyal GM and OnStar customer… I felt BETRAYEND. So upset… I asked to speak with someone in authority. Of course, NO ONE WAS AVAILABLE. That was October… We’re in December, and still haven’t received a call from OnStar. They won’t even face their customers.
P. S. Renewed OnStar for another year, and added minutes to the SUV, along about this same time. Was advised the minutes expire on January 17th. Nothing was said about HFC going away the next month. Go figure…
Probably a foolish question but why can’t GM offer an upgrade to keep the security and convenience of HFC They need to consider their loyal GM vehicle owners.
In my honest opinion GM doesn’t care about anything thing except selling new cars, so a feature doesn’t work we can talk the buyer into something else. They talked me into by foreign cars
For those of us that don’t have a smartphone and rely on the HFC feature it’s not fair that gm didn’t consider this by thinking everyone has a smartphone I would rather pay for HFC because I sure can’t afford a smartphone
I dropped all of Onstar just for the reason of hands free calling be available in areas where my cell phone didn’t work. Also put my GMC Acadia up for sale and buying a Toyota Highlander.
I’m glad we’re not the only ones disappointed in OnStar. We’ve had it in 3 vehicles for years. We depend on the hands free calling. That was one of the main features. I still had almost 400 minutes when they shut if off last week. They really couldn’t give me a satisfactory answer on why I couldn’t use them until February. The same thing happened with my husband’s car. We’ve always bought GM cars, but if this is how they treat their loyal customers , it’s time to re-think that decision. We relied on the HFC. We’re seniors and GM needs to realize that not everyone has smart phones.
Do not have a smart phone. Will miss the service!
Only reason to have onstar for me was the phone….we get poor cell service and I am near Adirondacks often with poor cell services. The onstar phone had lots more power to reach towers. No more expensive onstar here!!
Very disappointed that we can no longer use the onstar minutes Might cancel onstar all together
I did on 2 cars because of the elimination of the phone feature, they tried to get me to stay by saying in an accident they would send help, thanks I’ll dial 911, and if my car gets stolen they can disable it, but that costs $5 more per month. My car gets stolen, my insurance pays me I get a new car and guess what it won’t be a GM
I’m so sorry to find out no more hands free calling. Several times I needed to call home while on the road but now I can’t and it’s impossible to use my cell phone while driving. I now understand why so many accidents occur with drivers trying to use their phone and drive.
What happened to the minutes I paid for? I used OnStar and my cell phone via blue tooth and OnStar phone was very useful when cell phone coverage was poor. A very disappointing decision.
We have bought gm produces because of onstar. Now we are told if we do not have a mobile phone thus no on star . Just terrible . Well I guess perfect timing because we are buying a new car in the spring so we can buy from another company.
Have had On Star since 2011. If phone service is going to retire I will no longer need OnStar. RETIRING FROM ON STAR !!!!!
Disappointed to find out this today. I had my calling minutes transferred from a 2015 denali to a 2019 denali. When I went to dial they said I had no minutes. I think I not only lost this feature, I lost some money!
If they do away with hfc which I need. I’m 70 years old. Ford will take GM buyers in future. Fords going to say , you no what gm doesn’t care then we’ll upgrade and get their customers.
I’m going back to Honda, Never ever buy GM again, Very poor situation caused by foolish marketing error with no real excuse. When every cell provider goes to 5G and beyond the iPhone products will all get HFC for the cost of a cup holder and charging plug. Bob
And that’s the problem GM never upgraded their equipment above 3 G and 3G is going away, so you can have a brand new GM vehicle with 2008 technology. I wonder what else they haven’t updated to save more money
GM vehicles newer than 2015 I believe have 4G/LTE, which is going to be around for a very long time. I have no expectation that any automaker is going to endlessly provide technical upgrades to old vehicles. That’s like expecting them to put an airbag in a 39 Chevy.
With hfc going away I will end up cancelling my onstar subscription
So does your smartphone that is connected by bluetooth have the boosted signal or is it just the normal signal. If people start cancelling their onstar because of no hands free calling gm will get the message otherwise I doubt if the care.
It’s the phones signal
For travel away from home, an automobile booster system from Wilson will match all carriers phones in the car with the nearest tower. or the driver can connect the signal to his phone in the cup holder. Depends on what you want to pay. for the wilson product. GM just does not care about their customers.
A very disappointing decision, to put it mildly. OnStar hands free calling was a major safety feature for my family. My wife had a brain bleed a couple of years ago, aftter a fall on blood thinners, which left her with OK ‘real time’ functions, but a reduced sense of direction. Being able to communicate with her by just calling the car –with out her having to connect a cell phone or other busy work–and having her pick up, to make sure she was ‘on track’ was a blessing. This is a major move backward. GM, technology is supposed to be about making people’s lives better! You did that with hands-free calling. Why suddenly drop it???
Just learned that On Sat is closing. I have had and used it since 2002. It saved my life when five tears ago I was stuck 9n a railroad track in a driving rainstorm and couldn’t find my c e l phone. We used it in the N C mountains when cell service was spotty. And it was very convenient for my wife in her car. Will not purchase another GM car.
Put the phone service back in service!!!!
I was in total shock when I found out, 2 days ago, when I was going to add minutes!!!!! Very very very sad actually!!! My Trailblazer 2006 only has 45.000 miles on it!!! I do NOT feel safe anymore!! Thank you Onstar!!!
The problem is that all GM equipment with OnStar have 3G technology, in 2022 3G phones will also no longer work. GM has known about this for a long time, I have a 2020 Tahoe that was never able to get HFC so instead of upgrading the equipment or software, I don’t know which GM decides to ditch HFC. Well the next car I buy won’t be a GM product. Oh also my wife has a 2018 Ford Fusion, and their app uses phone service, but they offered to upgraded mine, that how I found out about GM, from a Ford dealer
Today I went online to renew my HFC minutes, and when I hit the renew button, I was presented a screen to purchase the Guardian plan. I called GM to get an explanation and was informed that as of February 2022 HFC would no longer be available and that I would lose the minutes I have accumulated over the years with no reimbursement. To my knowledge, GM has done nothing to notify individual customers that they were terminating HFC. I resent losing my minutes, and especially the convenience of using HFC. In addition, I believe that customers plans should stay active until the termination of service.
In my opinion, GM has again given me reason to shop elsewhere for my next vehicle. Losing services purchased in good faith with no compensation is just bad business and shows disregard for customer loyalty. I have been driving GM products for 65 years and consider myself a loyal customer, apparently GM feels no loyalty or responsibility to their customers.
Hands free calling should be left as an option. Our 2018 Chevy’s had it bought a 2019 Trax and didnt know it didnt have it until we tried to use it. Driving in rural areas where reg cell service often isnt great,t he hands free calling has been a lifesaver for our family. It set Chevy apart from others who didnt have it, but now that they also dont have it, then our next vehicle shopping and purchase will likely not be a Chevy. We are also finding that On Star really isnt keeping up with other services like Blue Link etc..
I discontinued Onstar after many years of service due to lack of HFC and automatic renewal. I was quoted a crazy price for continuation of Onstar.
Oh my goodness….this is awful…..I had a stroke in May and can’t use my left arm and hand and I really need my HFC….no cell phone works for me… Please reconsider this feature for your elderly and handicapped GMC buyers
Update to previous post. I filed a formal complaint with GM stating that I had 284 minutes remaining on my account, and as my renewal date was January 5th, I would not have the opportunity to use my minutes and would like a refund. GM’s response was: “GM has denied complaint as policy states we may revise, change, or discontinue service at any time. Services for your contract are set to end January 5, 2022, while GM is not discontinuing service until February. Therefore, you have the ability to get full service for what you paid.”
This response ignores the fact that I was trying to renew, thereby continuing service. Also, in order for me to “get full service” for what I paid, I would need to talk for 284 minutes in a day or two.
The very least I would have expected is that GM would have given anyone in my position the courteous of an extension for those few weeks before end of life for HFC.
This just shows what LIARS the people at GM are. HFC has been shutting down for weeks prior to the announced Feb date. All of my minutes were stolen back in early Dec.
Was really the only reason I stuck with GM. Big mistake!! Goodbye GM!
I am totally frustrated and suffering from anxiety over this news about On-Star.!!!! (and. I had already paid for 300 minutes without On-Star informing me that this service would no longer be available). Doesn’t GM owe me the money BECAUSE they didn’t provide ME with this service????? I am severely hearing impaired (and a senior) who, depends on wearing hearing aids. I always felt safe knowing that all I had to do was push the On=Star button and I would be able to hear a response for assistance. I am technically challenged and don’t find that using a handheld phone will/can be of benefit to me. I was so secure in knowing that On-Star was by my side when in the vehicle. PLEASE reconsider offering this feature to your handicapped owners. I am definitely handicapped without this feature!!!!!
Just found out today (1/17/2022) when I went to purchase additional minutes. Very upset about losing this service. My remaining 175 (paid for) minutes are just gone with no refund. Not fair !!! Sorry GM, no more GM autos for me since their products become obsolete without any upgrades available.
Right there with you…. it’ beyond upsetting. Something we’ve depended on for a very long time. A safety net. Worked every time, no matter where we are. Especially, during a hurricane, when everything is down, we can contact the outside world using HFC.
Spoke with OnStar Sunday evening…. They wouldn’t even extend the minutes to February. The lady I spoke with, could have cared less. So, the 513 unused minutes went away, and service ended today 1/17/22.
GM and Verizon could have come up with a solution. Big mistake for GM…. LOYAL GM customers will drop OnStar, and take their business elsewhere when purchasing new vehicles.
I agree with your comments. I think I paid for 300 minutes and with NO refund offered. I love the car I drive, but so disappointed with GMs policy with On-Star. I relied on the phone capabilities, because of severe hearing disabilities!!! This is the PITS !!! And with NO recourse!!!!
Jan 2022, just tried to renew my Onstar hands free calling minutes and found out it has been discontinued. That is terrible! I’ve used it when stuck in a miles-long out-in-the-boonies traffic holdup due to a fatal accident on the 2 lane road, calling my wife who was expecting me at the hospital for her operation. She had our only cell phone, and our 2014 Impala was my “phone” on the road. At other times when my cell phone would not work, Onstar would! In our state we have many areas where there is no typical cell phone coveerage. I was and am willing to pay the usual price to keep the service. If is no longer available on GM vehicles, I will check other companies such as Kia and Ford to see if there is anything similar when it comes time to replace the Impala. I’m really sad this service has ended!
Your team that came up with this plan to discontinue HFC all need their heads examined. This has to be the absolute worst idea ever. We have driven Cadillac products for 20 years and my parents before that! What is wrong with your thinking?? Discontinue HFC is the stupidest idea you have come up with yet. Idiots! What would make you decide to stop the best part of your service. Big big mistake. This will go down as stupidity at the highest! You guys really are idiots!
Absolutely, very well put. So many people depended on HFC and GM needs to rethink this stupid decision to end it. This was the best feature in GM vehicles. It was so convenient and I felt secure knowing it was available. Like so many I will consider buying something other than GM. Idiots!
GM will not be in our future after a lifetime of buying only GM products. Shame!
I am very upset that GM has decided to discontinue the OnStar HFC feature. I have used that feature since I purchased my 2013 Equinox brand new.
OnStar HFC feature offered me more of a sense of security than the OnStar Accident etc monthly package I pay for and have never had to use.
I have a “smart” phone, very subjective, and the signal and coverage area are sparse/lacking quite often. I love pushing the button and purchasing 300 mins for $20. Just knowing I have a backup communications feature means more than having a spare tire.
HFC came in extremely handy when I would accidently leave my phone at home or failed to have a charger in the car for it.
I just upgraded to Samsung Galaxy S21 5G and can not keep it paired with my vehicle’s Bluetooth feature. I also have a cellphone tower with in 10 miles from my home and my phone is dropping calls constantly. Yes, I’ve complained to Verizon about that issue. But back to why I mentioned the cellphone tower and my cell dropping calls made me so mad but being able to step outside and make a call from my HFC feature has been a saving grace for me numerous times over the 9 years I have owned my GM vehicle.
If GM is no longer going to equip their vehicles with features above what their competitors offer why should I or anyone else upset about this truly unnecessary change continue our allegiance to GM. I’m in the market now for a new vehicle and am glad I learned about GM’s plan to ‘sunset’ such an invaluable feature. Shame on GM.
GM if you find a way to sacrifice on this end in updated innovation with HFC, it could be to your advantage, and strategically put you in a space in the automotive industry that is once again for invaluable. marketing safety and price selecting. Don’t divest such a priceless tool that could continue to earn millions while giving customer satisfaction, loyalty, and number one auto distinction. Think about. I can help with other features as well. I am a innovator with my first pending patent, and a 23 year GM automobile owner. I know the value you bring!
I loved the feature, specially when I forgot my phone and needed to make a call, now days is not like the old days that you used to find a payphone anywhere, don’t know why GM took out the feature.
One thing I liked was when I went to work in the middle of the night and had to call the state police a few times they actually come faster using Onstar instead of a cellphone. Probably because of a 3rd party on the line .
Now that I’m retired doesn’t matter now.
It wasn’t using HFC but I canceled everything now.
I have a feeling a lot of people will cancel it.
why would you take away the phone service put leave the other parts working? then you do not give an upgrade, I see you rather see people using their cell phones while driving to smash up. why would you want my email for? you not going to fix this.
Part of the problem is that the phone companies are all discontinuing 3G service and many of the GM vehicles only have 3G system and no software to update the system used in those cars. The new vehicle have 4G system but you have to pay more for that system.
Absolutely true, so if you have a newer car with HFC you have been sold outdated equipment from GM, I never had the choice to add or remove On Star, I just had to pay for it like it was a seat belt. But in comparison I was getting a 1970 seat belt in a 2020 vehicle. GM probably didn’t think the revenue stream was worth it to keep up with the technology, and to that I say GM is not worth buying another vehicle from again. I have driven mostly GM vehicles for the last 46 years, but when my Malibu and Tahoe are ready for a renew, I will not be going into a GM dealership to purchase a vehicle, I wonder if they care about that revenue stream?
HFC was the only reason I kept paying their outrageous yearly fee. I am DONE with Onstar
Bob Nunley Just took my 2019 Equinox in for a safety sticker, Talked to Service people, parts people and sales people. All of them were surprised to learn that this was happening. In Parts the Mirror Version was still on display and available to purchase for installation in any vehicle. When I asked about HFC I was told that the On Star company, not GM was making changes. Sales assumed that the loss of HFC would not be important because a plan was in place to up grade the soft ware to allow use of AT@T 5G or better with any cell phone over the vehicle internet connection. When I explained that the Wilson Boster will do the same thing for any car several jaws dropped….When I left the On Star HFC screen would not place a HFC Call offering only a discussion with On Star from the car. With my phone in the cup I used the current version of vehicle software to do a HFC from the phone. I know that 5G AT@T is running now here but the 3G LTE version is also still working.
Most of the new cars are now being sold with some kind of internet access so the purchase of minutes from On Star is what is going away. In the end there is no real motivation to stick with GM any more. Hooraw!
Come up with a fix or add on!
You want GM to notice,stop buying GM products, I know I have spent my last dollar at any GM dealership
we will use the
services and parts departments until we trade the car, but will not purchase another GM vehicle
As can be seen by so many of the previous comments Hands Free Calling is a NESSARY OPTION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do NOT have a cell phone, my spouse does, I don’t need the added expense of one. I count on Hands free Calling when I drive especiallyin an emergency.
PLEASE DO NOT STOP THIS OPTION!
Well today I tried to get minutes for my 2018 and 2019 trucks and was informed its no longer in service. Well that’s very unfortunate and something I relied on. In the event I lost my cell phone or got out of range of the tower or my cell battery died or quit working ect…. I’d have the truck phone as my back up and I have had to use that feature many times mostly due to a cell phone problem. Would sure be nice to get that back in operation!
Big mistake discontinuing the hands free calling! I will not buy a GM vehicle next time!!
I’m disappointed to lose my HFC. I’m in my 70s and that’s all I had to use. I sure hope you might be able to figure something out.
Not sure I will remain an ONSTAR customer. I live where there is no cell service. In power losses, I depended on this feature to contact others. It was the primary ONSTAR draw for me.
OnStar uses the cellular network. It has for decades Jody.
Yes that is true they also had a stronger wattage transmitter that gave the illusion that it worked where there was no signal. GM did not upgrade their equipment over the years so in March 2022 when 3G was eliminated, GM did not want to be bothered to upgrade existing equipment. So if you bought a 2019 GM vehicle you were getting 2010 cell phone technology and GM doesn’t think the revenue stream for HFC is worth installing new equipment
is there a class action lawsuit against them? If so where can I join!!!! Not just disappointed!!
I’m very disappointed to say the least… as I left my mobile at home and was running late for a meeting and went to use my HFC OnStar, and hit the button to get the OnStar operator to find out there is NO MORE HFC which sucked. Needless to say,
I really could have used that feature that day. :((((( gerrrrrrrr
I don’t get it…. what am I missing here?
Necessary for areas without mobile service. It was pricey, but that’s why it was for emergencies only. May the usage by consumers didn’t justify continuing the contract, but having that service has helped me plenty. Especially when in nature with the kids.
I cancelled. Wasn’t worth the monthly cost anymore.
If I’m not mistaken, the ability to track your vehicle if stolen, the ability to shut it down when found, the ability to have OnStar call 911 in case of a collision and driver is injured or not responsive, the ability to lock/unlock your vehicle remotely through the app, the availability of monitoring your vehicle and engine for scheduled maintenance……ALL of this will go away along with HFC? Am I correct in thinking this?
When I purchase my vehicle I purchased it with a hands-free telephone is there anyone out there that purchased their vehicle with a hands-free telephone? I paid for that telephone how can GM or OnStar take it away? Can anyone answer that question? There should be a class action lawsuit against general motors and OnStar.
PossiblylastGM
No that’s staying, there the Onstar plans . So far it’s staying anyway, only HFC is leaving . I didn’t see anything about it leaving anyway.
Just HFC has gone away. You see, GM does not care about you, never has. They designed On-Star back when all cell phones were G3. They made no provision for upgrading the system over time. They then continued to sell out-dated systems, getting you to believe that they cared and would be there for you. When the phone systems shut down G3, GM ran and hid with their head in the sand rather than face their customers. Notice how not one post is from a GM rep? They also stole millions in unused phone credits.
I do miss HFCalling, I also lost minutes w/o notice or reimbursement…I don’t think other telecom service providers would get away with this w/o a government investigation, class action lawsuit or some sort of settlement (maybe a dealer service credit??? something..)
This service termination was blamed on the telecom providers dropping G3 service …. If that was the main cause, what about those of us that purchased New GM cars in the last 5 years that came equipped with G4 technology ??. G4 is still supported by the mobile phone service providers.
Years ago when I purchased my 2003 Yukon Denali, it had a 2G system. Then years later when 2G was going away and GM offered to upgrade the system to 3G. It was an option. It cost about $250 for the upgrade. I paid for the upgrade and was glad to do so. I suspect it was being done at cost. The current situation begs the question why doesn’t GM offer to upgrade the radios again. I agree with everyone I wish they would continue OnStar. I have to wonder what kind of logic lead them to want to abandon HFC, and go to the new Guardian app that runs on your cell phone.
I sure as Hell didn’t get any Refund.
I had OVER 800 + Hrs. Saved up.
Where’s My stinking Check ?
I use mine all the time. I use it for everything!! This is horrible news for me.
GM sold their vehicles with a feature of hands-free phone installed. I know I purchased my 2008 Cadillac SRX and one of the selling features was the hands-free phone which I paid for when I purchased the vehicle. First GM said you couldn’t use your hands-free telephone unless you paid for OnStar service. Now they’re taking away the phone completely from the vehicles. I am sure that when GM and OnStar are faced with a class action lawsuit from millions of people that purchased their vehicle GM will consider allowing the phone systems to continue working. For those of you that feel cheated and I’m sure most of you do, hopefully a class action lawsuit will be filed very shortly.
In California, the fine for getting caught driving with your cell phone for the first time is $150. The second time can exceed $250.
Now, how does discontinuing On Star make it safer to drive?
When in doubt, look for the money trail!
How many customers did GM survey before deciding to discontinue the service?
Remember the Sony Walkman? Remember after the Walkman, Apple comes out with the iPod, and the Walkman becomes part of history. GM had a great idea with OnStar, but Apple is going to perfect that idea, and OnStar will become a thing of the past. The new iPhone 14’s have crash detection and if the phone is out of range of a cellular network, then you can get help via text messages sent through a satellite. I guess GM could not make a good case for upgrading OnStar to 5G or better, but seems like a mistake to me. I’m thinking that Apple sees a real future in safety features. I’m going to miss OnStar, but I’m certain something better is being developed at Apple.
William Greenwalt
The crash detection on Apple phone isn’t free, if you watch the Apple iPhone video announcement it says it’s free for the first 2 years but doesn’t say the cost.
If you got android you’re out of luck.
I can imagine what that’ll cost. A lot more than HFC
I have two cars. a GMC 2014 terrain and a Chevy 2016 trax. I have On star in the GMC and I talk to On Star and they said I’m losing them in he GMC because it’s a 2014 but I can have On Star in the Chevy for it’s a new car. That’s BS and doesn’t make cents. They said I could also buy a cell and they would do the GPS on it. SO no phone and now no directions so why do I need ON Star. BY BY ON STAR.
I’m absolutely sick about GM getting rid of crucial services but their prices never decrease to reflect what we no longer receive. I’m a 61yr old disabled female veteran. I purchased my platinum 2015 Chevy Malibu, no spare tire,ok. Now no HFC which has helped on several occasions to find left cell phone in store, I was able to talk to my husband through the car and tell him where the stranger answered his phone at. Also was able to contact my husband when he left his phone home and he was driving. Its insane to get rid of this service. Why isn’t there a way to just upgrade their 2G to 4G with maybe a plug in under dash or something. Cause we are also losing theft tracking/ shut off, auto crash response what if your unconscious or phone is smashed, thrown out of reach, auto start etc with phone, the ability for them to unlock your car when phone in car and keys accidentally shut in trunk etc., I know it happened. And the reviews on the guardian app are awful. Showing children on the road still when they’ve gotten home 30 minutes ago, no security at all. I am so very upset that I’ve paid 39.99 since Feb 2015 plus minutes and now being reduced to an unworkable phone app while losing critical features yet the price is never reduced. If I’m not mistaken they want you to also pay $15 for the app for some ppl if I’ve read it correctly. With all this technology you’d think there would be a way for GM to upgrade our vehicles as not to lose the services we paid for and they sold us on. I wanted to buy American and certainly can not afford payments now also my Malibu has been serviced to keep it in tip top shape so there’s no need for a car payment now. I’m wondering will we still have the diagnostic emails, probably not since they don’t want to be connected to the car at all only to your phone. Really just looks like all I have now is roadside service. Guess this is what they call progress at GM? I can say with this kind of customer consideration, when I do need a new car it won’t be a GM as much as it pains me to have to abandon the brand. God bless America.
It seems as if my GMC app isn’t connecting to my Terrain now. I thought this stupid sunset wasn’t going to happen until the end of the year. Thanks for that. This whole situation is very disappointing. I bought my 2013 Denali 2 years ago and now I am going to lose function of something that was a true selling point for me. This chip shortage sounds like just an excuse NOT to do the right thing. Why don’t you do the fix that you initially introduced now that the chip shortage seems to be over???
This has to be the ABSOLUTE DUMBEST thing that GM has ever done.