Forum Discussion
OnStar basic plan 8 year coverage
So I bought a new EV in 2025
so GM gives 8year OnStar basic package
now whenever I click on Google Maps, it’s shows “This application requires an upgraded OnStar plan”
but I googled and it says I should be getting live traffic updates under that basic plan itself. I called OnStar and two of their employees say- I am not eligible in the basic plan but two of their employees say- your account shows that you should be getting that service
basically for first few months it was fine, I could get hotspot if needed and Google Maps showed traffic updates as well but from last month it stopped and it’s only 7 months since I bought the vehicle
i really don’t understand if I am eligible or no
as basic plan says “navigation and traffic updates” will be given on their website but HOW
8 Replies
This is the same thing that is happening to me.
First 6 months of driving, I had my google and voice assistant ("hey google"), and it worked just fine. My google maps on my infotainment would show me charge stations and live traffic.
After 6 months, I got the same "this requires an upgraded onstar plan" even though clear as day Onstar and GM's websites say that these functions are included with the "Onstar Basics" and "EV Connected Access".
The first time this happened, they said it was because my terms and conditions weren't signed. They fixed that, gave me 1 month of Onstar One, and it was fine.
Once the Onstar One trial expired, these items stopped working again. The advisors said they fixed it and gave me another month of Onstar One.
For a 3rd time, the trial expired and they claimed to have fixed the issue after being routed to a supervisor, and gave me another one month trial of Onstar One.
Now, for a 4th time, my trial expired and I called Onstar and 3 different advisors tried to tell me this is not included in my 8 years of Basics and EV connected access. They claim I either need to pony up the monthy fee or I can "simply press the blue button and get directions that way". Which doesn't (a) show me live traffic, as the website claims, (b) show me ev charging stations along my route, as the website claims, or (c) give me voice assistant, as the website claims.
I was routed to the EV concierge, and he told me this is not true, my Google should still update with my 8 year included plans (which it should since GM took away the ability to use carplay). He stated there was an issue with my "vehicle" profile in the profiles section of settings. I agreed, it was using an old email address. So I thought this would finally fix the issue, and wouldn't you know.... it didn't. So here I am, having to call Onstar for a 5th time for the same issue, and they have the audacity to ask me to pay for their service when they can't even fulfill their obligation to provide what is supposed to be included.
It is so frustrating
Onstar keeps on sending me emails to upgrade and it’s like every time I sit in the car, I have no idea whether I will have the ‘live traffic’ or not
sometimes it works on its own and sometimes it shows the same message
Looks like they are going low in their standards and giving hard time to their customers.
So, I will say, after letting it sit for an hour or 2, the EV concierge seemed to have fixed it for me. Make sure the "Vehicle" profile in the "Profiles" section of your settings is set to the Onstar email address that you log in with that shows your basics plan. Basically, Onstar changed my email address after the first 6 months because of the first issue I had, but they didn't change the email in my infotainment system. So basically, every month for 4 months, they would give my old email address (linked in my car) a free trial, and when the trial ended, my old email address did not have the 8 years of Basics on it.
Long winded, but it looks like now, with just Basics and EV Connected Access (with no Onstar One trial active), my google maps and google assistant work as expected.
Your comments and the overall satisfaction you have with your OnStar services when behind the wheel are important to us, @sweetsum. We would like to learn more about what you're encountering and investigate opportunities for assistance. To do so, send us a private message to OnStar_Support with more details, including your full name and your VIN or OnStar account number. Just select the envelope at the top right of your screen to start. By sending us a message, you consent to the information you provide being monitored and recorded by GM or those acting on GM’s behalf, subject to the GM Privacy Statement.
Hi @sweetsum,
That situation is definitely confusing, especially when you’re getting mixed answers from OnStar support. What usually causes this is a backend account or provisioning issue, where the vehicle technically has the Basic Plan, but certain features (like Google Maps traffic data) stop working due to a sync or entitlement error
In similar cases, people have had success reviewing their connected-services status and account entitlements using connected vehicle support tools
to better understand what’s enabled versus what’s restricted. I’d also recommend asking OnStar to re-provision the vehicle services on their end and confirm eligibility in writing, since the Basic Plan does list navigation and traffic updates.
Hopefully that helps you get some clarity and pushes them to fix it properly.I am so frustrated, you cannot even imagine
two OnStar employees are saying to me “if you need live traffic updates, you have to call us and we will give you that”
I was like “so I am going for three hour drive, I have to be on phone with you guys to get LIVE TRAFFIC updates”
Your frustrations do not go unnoticed, @sweetsum. Your owning case agent will continue to serve as your best resource for direct assistance and clarity on the determinations surrounding your concerns. We remain a private message away for any support we may be able to offer.
Thanks for jumping in with this helpful insight and information, @Anna180!