3G Shutdown in 2022 Could Screw Your Car

Not to rile up any Luddites or make calls for simpler times, but 3G technology is set to end in 2022, which affects a bunch of cars that have 3G connected services.

Some automakers, like Toyota and Lexus, are not planning to retrofit any affected vehicles. In its public FAQs on the topic, Toyota cites a clause in its disclosures that states certain connected services may change at any time without notice. And when The Drive asked Toyota if it plans to offer an upgrade, paid or otherwise, for consumers who own affected vehicles, the answer was a simple "no."

Affected Toyota models, the full list is in the article linked below.

• 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)

How the 3G Shutdown in 2022 Could Screw Your Car

 

Awesome sauce, don't use all that tech bs anyway. Will be very nice to not get a phone call from the dealer when I get a CEL code.

 

They lock you in with new tech so you're forced to make payments. Surprised they're not even offering an upgrade plan, on the other hand, maybe these cars will get more desirable since they're off grid

 

I like my cars dumb, off the grid and especially the ones that don't talk back..... main reason I am refusing to get a newer car... I'm down for new to me though lol...

 

Proud Luddite here...

The way this crap is going I'm going to have to brush up on my carburetor overhaul skills and roll with pre 1980 vehicles from now on.

 

I'm surprised at Toyotas position on this, especially when other manufacturers are offering free retrofits or the customer can pay for an upgrade. Not a good look in my opinion to leave customers hanging, at least offer them an option.

 

I've never understood why people have the cellular modems activated in their cars when your cell phone tethered via bluetooth or cable can do it all. Convenience of not having to pair a phone?

 

So what exactly won’t work on those particular vehicles? Is it’s just internet or data connectivity? Or will stuff like GPS no longer work?

*EDIT* Well that sucks, just read through the whole article. So everything but Bluetooth will work…

 

Very well said, I agree with your response to me that this seems counter to Toyotas methodology of building long lasting reliable vehicles.

Your last statement on where all this tech could lead is very true and scary but people are very accepting of it.

 

The tundra isn’t on the list.

 

It’s definitely counter to Toyota’s methodology that put them on the map.

What I find interesting it that for well over ten years all I heard about (this forum and others/family & friends/auto publications) is how Toyota is so archaic when it comes tech and feature’s. Honestly even look at all the threads about the Tundra lacking this or that recently. Now Toyota is finally gaining some headway and just now people are starting to realize all the negatives that come along with all this “great” eye candy technology. And the same people are flipping out when in essence it’s exactly what they asked for….

Each new model from Toyota is lessening the gap between the domestics (truck wise) to match them.

 

Much agreed…

But unfortunately since the 1/2 trucks have become mainstream “simple” isn’t good enough for most of society. Simple doesn’t sell like it use to…. We live in this constant “Facebook world” where there has to 100% stimulation (real and fake) in order to function. I am gratefully and thankfully not one of them but that is what sells these days… Toyota has to make money off the Tundra so catering to the simplistic (absolutely nothing wrong with it) isn’t profitable with a truck that will never compete with the big three.