Imagine buying a sleek, high-tech car packed with all the modern conveniences: remote start from your phone, built-in navigation that syncs with your app, automatic crash notifications, and more. A few years go by, everything still works fine… and then suddenly, it doesn’t. No crash. No warning. Just a quiet digital goodbye. Automakers are on a run for these car app features.
That’s exactly what’s happening to some Acura owners right now.
What Are Connected Car Services, Anyway?
Connected services are all the internet-powered features in your car that go beyond just getting you from A to B. They are:
- Roadside assistance at the push of a button
- Automatic 911 calls after a crash
- Remote engine start via app
- Sending destinations to your nav system
- Over-the-air software updates
- Built-in vehicle Wi-Fi
Sound futuristic? Well, it’s also very profitable. Automakers offer these features with a free trial, but after a few months (or a year, if you’re lucky), you’re expected to start paying a subscription. With millions of vehicles on the road, that adds up to serious money.
But there’s a catch: these services don’t last forever. And now, some automakers are pulling the plug, literally.
The 3G Shutdown by Automakers Was Just the Beginning
Back in 2022, all U.S. 3G networks were shut down. Cars that relied on 3G modems lost their ability to connect to the cloud, and with it, their connected services. While this was largely out of the carmakers’ hands (blame the telecoms), it set a precedent.
Some automakers offered hardware upgrades to newer 4G modems. Others simply let the features die.
Acura Just Announced a Major Shutdown
On May 29, Acura dropped a bombshell: it’s turning off AcuraLink connected services for a wide range of vehicles, including some as new as 2022.
Here’s what’s affected starting July 21, 2025:
- 2014–2020 Acura RLX
- 2014–2020 Acura MDX
- 2015–2020 Acura TLX
- 2016–2018 Acura RDX
- 2016–2022 Acura ILX
- 2017–2022 Acura NSX
Yes, even the top-tier 2022 NSX Type S (which retailed at over $170,000) will lose access to features like remote app controls, stolen vehicle tracking, emergency assistance, and more.
And it’s not just about luxury cars, owners of certified pre-owned 2019 models currently sold on Acura’s site are in the same boat.
What Are These Automakers Taking Away?
Once Acura flips the switch, here’s what will stop working:
- Remote start and lock/unlock via the AcuraLink app
- Emergency crash notifications
- Help locating a stolen vehicle
- Digital recall notices (you’ll have to wait for snail mail)
- Roadside assistance requests
- Sending destinations to your car’s nav system
- Automatic dealer maintenance scheduling
Acura says prorated refunds will be issued for paid subscriptions, but no hardware upgrades will be offered. And they haven’t provided a reason for this decision.
Wait, Can Automakers Even Do That?
Short answer: yes. Legally, they’re in the clear. Deep in AcuraLink’s terms and conditions (which most people click through without reading), it says:
“We reserve the right to terminate these Terms or to cease to offer AcuraLink or any of the Connected Vehicle Services at any time… for any reason or no reason.”
This kind of clause isn’t unique to Acura. We checked other automakers like GM, Toyota, Hyundai, Nissan and they all include similar language. So yes, they can shut down your services, and you agreed to it (even if you didn’t realize it).
It Doesn’t Have to Be This Way
Some automakers are choosing to support older models longer. Tesla, for example, still supports its first-gen 2012 Model S with software and hardware updates. Audi once promised upgradeable infotainment systems. These examples show that automakers can plan for long-term tech support if they want to.
But not all do.
Cars Are Not Like Phones; And That’s the Problem
Sure, your smartphone becomes obsolete every few years. But the average car on U.S. roads today is nearly 13 years old. People keep their vehicles far longer than their gadgets. Cutting off services for relatively new cars, just 3 or 4 years old, feels like a betrayal, especially when owners are still making payments or just bought certified pre-owned.
If this trend continues, it raises real questions about the value and lifespan of digital features in modern vehicles. Will future buyers start demanding guarantees of long-term support? Will this affect resale values? And, will regulators get involved?
What Can You Do?
Honestly, not much, unless enough consumers push back. Automakers bank on the fact that most people won’t make a fuss. But if public outcry gets loud enough, we might see companies rethink these cutoffs, or at least offer better upgrade paths.
So if your car’s connected services are getting the axe, don’t stay silent. Contact your dealership, leave reviews, write to corporate. Your car should work for you, not just until the next subscription cycle ends.
TL;DR:
Automakers like Acura can and are turning off connected features in your car, even if it’s only a few years old. And unless we speak up, more brands may follow suit.
