SFCR
Member
I have been researching this 3G to 4G change using T-Mobile's dongle that is affecting the head unit display screen apps and functions, some of which will be lost after January 1st according to both UConnect (found on their website) and a chart that was published by Stellantis. Aside from the Yelp! app, the remainder of the lost functions will be when using our cell phones through the radio, ie: the display of voice-to-text on the screen. I have spoken with a Stellantis corporate executive on the phone for about an hour. He indicated he had not heard much regarding the details and seemed a little surprised. He requested some documentation. I have collected data over the last several months and assembled it chronologically since UConnect's announcement to its subscribers and sent it to him. He indicated that he would research it to ascertain exactly what is going on and what the consumers are being told. He also indicated he would get back to me. He has been responding via email every week as promised to keep me updated. He has been very understanding and is working to assist me any way he can. Additionally, I sent letters to Stellantis’ global CEO, Mr. Carlos Tavares in October, 2021 and to Mr. Timothy Kuniskis in the Michigan headquarters office in December, 2021 and have received NO reply from either. I read comments how Tim Kuniskis was such a great guy, but so far, I'm discouraged.
So far, these are some thoughts:
1. I believe this was well known and planned long before the consumer was notified.
2. Stellantis/FCA and Uconnect failed to notify the consumer in a timely manner.
3. After a limited time, the consumer has to pay Uconnect for the dongle, but still does not restore those lost functions.
4. An OE solution should have been developed and offered at corporate expense to retain these functions.
No doubt that communications are changing, i.e.: 3G to 4G to 5G and so on, but it’s the principle of the matter allowing the consumer to take the expense out of their pocket or just take the hit for the change and just live with it. The consumer paid for specific equipment on their vehicle and there is a reasonable expectation that the equipment would continue to function or that the manufacturer would make appropriate updates. After reading that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, NV was found guilty of fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequently fined $40 million, I am highly skeptical of much of their information announced to the consumer.
(Fiat Chrysler Is Fined $40 Million for Sales-Reporting Fraud | IndustryWeek)
I finally received a call from a senior Uconnect supervisor who was very willing to listen and explained the changes as she knew so far. She indicated that the described functions affected by the 3G to 4G change would eventually be terminated but did say that the 9-1-1 button on the inside rear view mirror would continue to function as designed (newer models have SOS in red), although a chart published by Stellantis indicated otherwise. She also stated that the 3G towers had not been changed or removed nationwide completely and that some remained functional, although they would all come down this year. She also indicated that Stellantis and Uconnect were working to resolve these issues as best they could, and that the idea of replacing all the radio display heads in all sold vehicles affected had been presented and discussed. I told her that a company was selling head units that had been refurbished and were guaranteed to be plug-n-play and would definitely work as designed including Apply Carplay, etc., (2015-2021 Dodge Challenger GPS Navigation 8.4 4C NAV UAQ Radio with Ap - Infotainment.com; this business is also on YouTube I believe). She said that they had received some consumer concerns indicating they purchased newer radio heads from the dealerships and after installing them, the vehicle’s electronics were “fried.” I told her that I had found a serious disconnect in the published information between Uconnect and Stellantis to the consumer. She agreed. One good thing she described was that voice-to-text messaging would still work because of the blue tooth pairing of our phones, but the text would no longer display on the screen once the 4G was effective in our respective geographical locations.
According to Stellantis and UConnect, when 4G is implemented and your Mopar vehicle is 3G, then you will lose the following:
Please read this: 3G Network Shutdown & Cars' Automatic Crash Notification - Consumer Reports
I hope this helps anyone who has concerns or questions over these changes.
Thanks everyone for reading!
So far, these are some thoughts:
1. I believe this was well known and planned long before the consumer was notified.
2. Stellantis/FCA and Uconnect failed to notify the consumer in a timely manner.
3. After a limited time, the consumer has to pay Uconnect for the dongle, but still does not restore those lost functions.
4. An OE solution should have been developed and offered at corporate expense to retain these functions.
No doubt that communications are changing, i.e.: 3G to 4G to 5G and so on, but it’s the principle of the matter allowing the consumer to take the expense out of their pocket or just take the hit for the change and just live with it. The consumer paid for specific equipment on their vehicle and there is a reasonable expectation that the equipment would continue to function or that the manufacturer would make appropriate updates. After reading that Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, NV was found guilty of fraud by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and subsequently fined $40 million, I am highly skeptical of much of their information announced to the consumer.
(Fiat Chrysler Is Fined $40 Million for Sales-Reporting Fraud | IndustryWeek)
I finally received a call from a senior Uconnect supervisor who was very willing to listen and explained the changes as she knew so far. She indicated that the described functions affected by the 3G to 4G change would eventually be terminated but did say that the 9-1-1 button on the inside rear view mirror would continue to function as designed (newer models have SOS in red), although a chart published by Stellantis indicated otherwise. She also stated that the 3G towers had not been changed or removed nationwide completely and that some remained functional, although they would all come down this year. She also indicated that Stellantis and Uconnect were working to resolve these issues as best they could, and that the idea of replacing all the radio display heads in all sold vehicles affected had been presented and discussed. I told her that a company was selling head units that had been refurbished and were guaranteed to be plug-n-play and would definitely work as designed including Apply Carplay, etc., (2015-2021 Dodge Challenger GPS Navigation 8.4 4C NAV UAQ Radio with Ap - Infotainment.com; this business is also on YouTube I believe). She said that they had received some consumer concerns indicating they purchased newer radio heads from the dealerships and after installing them, the vehicle’s electronics were “fried.” I told her that I had found a serious disconnect in the published information between Uconnect and Stellantis to the consumer. She agreed. One good thing she described was that voice-to-text messaging would still work because of the blue tooth pairing of our phones, but the text would no longer display on the screen once the 4G was effective in our respective geographical locations.
According to Stellantis and UConnect, when 4G is implemented and your Mopar vehicle is 3G, then you will lose the following:
- Assist button function
- Concierge Services
- Roadside Assistance
- Voice Calling
- Roaming outside of the US
- Language support beyond US English
- Sending destination to car
- Yelp
- Ancillary features
- All in Vehicle Messaging
Please read this: 3G Network Shutdown & Cars' Automatic Crash Notification - Consumer Reports
I hope this helps anyone who has concerns or questions over these changes.
Thanks everyone for reading!
