In case you missed it, the 3G cellular network will be shut down by 2022. Here’s a brief overview from the FCC:
- AT&T announced that it will finish shutting down its 3G network by February 2022.
- Verizon announced that it will finish shutting down its 3G network by December 31, 2022.
- T-Mobile announced that it will finish shutting down Sprint’s 3G CDMA network by March 31, 2022 and Sprint’s 4G LTE network by June 30, 2022. It also announced it will shut down T-Mobile’s 3G UMTS network by July 1, 2022, but has not yet announced a shutdown date for its 2G network.
While the shutdown won’t affect most of the devices we use today, there are some car companies that still rely on the older technology. Many modern cars, especially luxury vehicles, use 3G networks for things like owner apps, emergency call services, infotainment and navigation-system functions, and of course logging data.
The folks over at The Drive have created a great resource to help you figure out what to do – check it out here.
Here’s a list for quick reference. This rundown includes “every car that’s going to be impacted by the sunsetting of the AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon 3G networks in 2022, with links to the official OEM pages listing which services will be discontinued or altered.”
If your car is on here, contact a local dealership and see what they can do for you.
- Acura
- MDX (2014-2017)
- ILX (2016-2017)
- RDX (2016-2017)
- RDX (2019-2021)
- RLX (2014-2016)
- TLX (2015-2017)
- NSX (2017)
- Audi
- A3 e-Tron (2016-2018)
- A4/Allroad (2013-2018)
- A5 (2013-2018)
- A6 (2012-2015)
- A7 (2012-2015)
- A8 (2012-2018)
- RS 5 (2019)
- Q3 (2015-2018)
- Q5 (2013-2018)
- Q7 (2012-2018)
- Bentley
- Certain models produced prior to 2020
- BMW
- Certain models produced prior to 2019
- General Motors
- General Motors acknowledged that certain models made between 2015 and 2021 across its fleet will be affected, but it did not break down which specific vehicles across its various sub-brands of Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and GMC. The Drive did manage to track down a technical service bulletin that indicates almost every post-2015 model is affected to some degree, which would make sense given how prevalent OnStar is in GM cars.
- Honda
- Accord (Touring trim, 2018-2020)
- Odyssey (Touring and Elite trims, 2018-2020)
- Insight (Touring trim, 2019-2020)
- Passport (Touring and Elite trims, 2019-2021)
- Pilot (Touring, Slite, and Black Edition trims, 2019-2022)
- Lexus
- All Models (2010-2017)
- GX (2018)
- Mazda
- CX-3 (2016-2019)
- CX-5 (2016-2020)
- CX-9 (2016-2020)
- Mazda3 (2016-2018)
- Mazda6 (2016-2019)
- Mitsubishi
- Eclipse Cross (All, telematics-equipped)
- Outlander (All, telematics-equipped)
- Porsche
- 911 (2017-2019)
- 918 Spyder (2014)
- 718 (2017-2021)
- Cayenne (2015-2019)
- Macan (2017-2018)
- Panamera (2014-2018)
- Stellantis
- Stellantis acknowledged that some models across its fleet will be affected, but it did not break down which specific vehicles across its various sub-brands of Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Jeep, Maserati, and Ram.
- Subaru
- Crosstrek (2016-2019)
- Forester (2016-2018)
- Legacy (2016-2018)
- Impreza (2016-2018)
- WRX (2017-2018)
- WRX STI (2017-2018)
- Outback (2016-2018)
- Tesla*
- Model S (Built before June 2015)
- Toyota
- 4Runner (2010-2019)
- Avalon (2013-2018)
- Camry (2013-2017)
- Highlander (2014-2018)
- Land Cruiser (2011-2017)
- Mirai (2016-2017)
- Prius (2010-2016)
- Prius Plug-in (2012-2015)
- Prius V (2012-2016)
- RAV4 EV (2012-2014)
- Sienna (2011-2017)
- Volkswagen
- Atlas (2018-2019)
- Arteon (2018-2019)
- Beetle (2014-2019)
- CC (2014-2018)
- Eos (2014-2017)
- Golf/Golf R/eGolf/Golf Sportwagen/Golf GTI (2014-2019)
- Jetta (2014-2019)
- Passat (2014-2019)
- Tiguan (2014-2019)
- Volvo
- S60 (2015.5-2018
- V60 (2015.5-2018)
- V60 Cross Country (2015.5-2018)
- XC60 (2015.5-2017)
- XC70 (2015.5-2016)
- XC90 (2016)
The following automakers say that its U.S. vehicles are unaffected by the end of 3G:
- Ferrari
- McLaren
The following automakers did not provide information by publication time:
- Bugatti
- Ford
- Hyundai
- Infiniti
- Jaguar
- Kia
- Lamborghini
- Land Rover
- Mercedes-Benz
- Nissan
- Rolls-Royce