Forum Discussion
OnStar Module Broke
Brought my 2023 Yukon XL with 38K miles in to fix a recall and when I got it back now my “telematic control module/OnStar module” is broken and needs to be replaced. Dealer is telling me it will cost $900 and they have no idea when the part would even be in? This is ridiculous, not only should I not have to pay for this, but it shouldn’t have broke and if it needs fixing it should be done immediately.
52 Replies
I’m experiencing the exact same issue as the original poster, and I’m beyond frustrated. I paid over $80,000 for my 2023 Chevy Tahoe, and I also pay more than $50 a month for an OnStar subscription. Not only was I never notified that this critical safety system could fail, but now I’m being told I have to pay $822 out of pocket to replace a faulty OnStar module?
This is absolutely unacceptable.
OnStar is advertised as a key safety and connectivity feature—and it was a major reason we chose this vehicle. For it to fail so soon, and for GM/OnStar to offer no support, is both disappointing and concerning. This isn’t a luxury add-on; it’s a core safety system. The lack of transparency, accountability, and support is inexcusable.
I will be reporting this to the Better Business Bureau and urge others to do the same. GM and OnStar need to take responsibility for this widespread and costly defect.
I agree I bought this vehicle again bacuase it saved my life and instar got the the emerncy services there in mins. I too saw check engine light and then it didsappers went to gmc nothing. I'm then one day I notice I could start my Yukon with the app. Come to find out onstar is down. Charge to service this hardware is nuts. Also the deal stay it would have to stay over night. Are you serious!!!!
Our team shares your frustration. Thank you kindly for sharing your experience with your Tahoe. We take your reliability seriously and would like to assist further with your OnStar module. If you are currently experiencing concerns with your hardware, and you’re working alongside the service center at your certified Chevrolet dealership, please let us know. To start, send us a private message to OnStar_Support so we can look into this further. Just select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen to get started.
This happened to me back in February and my local dealership JUST called me to let me know the part is in smh. I also brought my vehicle In for an oil change and a day or two later my check engine light is on my truck that has less than 50k miles. Super frustrating since my OnStar service, remote start services aren’t able to be used due to this.
We do appreciate you sharing this experience regarding your OnStar hardware. Our team is glad to hear that you are currently in contact with your local dealer regarding parts. Please know, you can push your blue OnStar button after your module replacement to ensure your services are functioning. With this, we would be more than happy to assist to the best of our abilities regarding your check engine light. Please send us a private message to OnStar_Support so we may learn more. To start, select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen.
I’m not paying for it. This isn’t my doing its a problem that OnStar or GMC that they put faulty and cheap parts in my truck. Also, someone sent the part back they said. The lack of accountability is awful.
I have a 23 Yukon Denali, my GPS and internet just stop working. After contacting OnStar, I was advised to take to dealership. My service advisor just messaged me that this same modular is out and it $800 to fix. I just did a google search to see if this is an commom issue. I found this chat. Why isnt GM taking care of this??
Thank you for sharing your experience regarding your OnStar module. Our team does regret to hear of any emerging concerns. We are here to provide you with an additional layer of support alongside your certified dealership regarding your Yukon. Please send us a private message with additional details regarding your current situation. Be sure to select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen. When creating a new message, please be sure to enter Advisor_Helen to get connected directly to me.
I also forgot that NOW the plan that I was promised with my purchase is not able to be delivered??? How is this my falut?
This is not the Member experience that we strive to provide. Thank you kindly for bringing these hardware concerns to our attention. If your vehicle is currently located at a certified GMC dealership, our team here can provide you with an additional layer of communication and support throughout the repair process. If this is of any interest, please send us a private message with more information. Additionally, we regret to hear of any miscommunications with your OnStar services. We can take a further look into your account on our end and provide any available clarifications. Please select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen at your earliest convenience. When creating a new message, please be sure to enter Advisor_Helen to get connected directly to me.
2023 Yukon just passed 40k miles at 30 month old so NO Warranty and this will be a you problem and not an US problem. How can basic technology fail!!! after minimal use on a $80k vehicle. I have owned 6 YUKONS before this one and NEVER had an item like this fail. The dealer has told me that this $800 repair parts are on special backorder/ allocation...this sounds like a recall/ design issue and not a cost that I should have to pay for a still relatively new vehicle. So until this is repaired, no ON STAR, NO SAFETY NET, NO WiFI, NO EMERGENCY all items that are basic and EXPECTED... why, why , why? Seems like a much bigger issue that I realized with a simple fix.....H E L P!!!!
I am having the exact same issue, went to the dealership and yup same exact thing and now my engine light came on when there was no issue previously. GM needs to do better. My Yukon Xl 2022 is on three years old what in the world is going on?
Thank you for bringing this matter with your 2022 GMC Yukon XL to our attention, @Kellyroc. Our team regrets to hear that you've encountered these same difficulties with the GMC and OnStar connected services that you know and love. We'd appreciate the opportunity to learn more about this recent experience so we may see how our team may best assist towards an appropriate resolution. To move forward with this support, please don't hesitate to send us a private message with some more details. To connect with us, just select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen to get started. When creating a new message, please be sure to enter Advisor_Jack to get connected directly to me. Our team will be keeping an eye out for your message and hear from you in the near future.
I’m at the dealer right now and was told the exact same thing. $500 plus labor to replace the telematics control module. Dealer confirmed there’s no sign of wear or reason this would occur. When I asked for a timeline of replacement part availability, he said they don’t know and they’re currently back ordered. Lack of availability tells me these 2022 Yukons are experiencing the same thing. 35k miles on a 2022 Yukon SLT, the warranty expired 2 months ago. I’m expecting a GM moderator to support this!
Our team appreciates you bringing these concerns with the OnStar hardware in your 2022 GMC Yukon SLT to our attention, @ArGee88. We recognize how frustrating it can be to be without access to the connected services which you love and depend on for un unexpected amount of time. It would be our pleasure to learn more about your recent dealership experience to better assess how we may best be able to assist with the swiftest resolution to these concerns. If you'd like to continue with this support, please send us a private message with your contact information, VIN, the current mileage, and the name of your participating dealership. To reach us, just select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen to get started. When creating a new message, please be sure to enter Advisor_Jack to get connected directly to me. We'll be on the lookout for your response and hope to hear back again soon. 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: https://www.gm.com/privacy-statement
I hear your frustration. After numerous phone calls to ONSTAR one advisor suggested I try a different GM Dealer and they too said the module for my vehicle was discontinued. So, I took it upon myself to reach out to YORK ELECTRONICS LTD. (the General Motors authorized Electronics Service Center in Canada for automobiles here in Canada) to inquire about a module for my 2012 Chevy Equinox. To my surprise I was told that the module was available but is now listed under a different part number. I had the dealer order it and the cost plus installation was slightly over $800. Now that it’s installed ONSTAR still can’t connect my vehicle with my current subscription plan. They keep telling me they are running into technical problems at their end. We should be getting better service for the price we pay for this service and the replacement cost of these modules. I hope your dealer can help you with your issue. BWZ
Hello there, @BWZ. Our team is saddened to learn that these difficulties have persisted after replacing your GM's OnStar hardware. We recognize how frustrating this experience must be and can assure you that we'd like to assist however we're best able. To continue with our support on this matter, we kindly ask that you reach out to us here: https://www.gm.ca/en/home/contact-us.html for the best and continued assistance with these concerns. Your cooperation and understanding on this matter are appreciated.
My ONSTAR module needs replacing on my 2012 Chevy Equinox with about 146,000kms. So after 13 years I guess things wear out. However, I still have an active plan. So, back in June of 2024 I was told by an ONSTAR technician I probably needed a new module when they couldn’t tweak things from their end. After taking my vehicle to my regular dealership I was told that the module was discontinued. In their effort to help they contacted ONSTAR and their technician told them to try a hard reboot. It worked for about a month. More recently, because my plan is still active, I contacted ONSTAR again about my module being discontinued and they suggested trying another GM dealership as they thought it was odd the module was discontinued. After contacting a different GM dealership they too said the module was discontinued based on my VIN. So, I took it upon myself to contact the manufacturer of these modules and was told that the part number had changed and that they did have a module with a different part number that would work in my vehicle. The only drawback was the module had to be ordered and installed through a GM dealership. I was quoted a price of $575 plus another $200 (+ taxes) to install it. Like others this seems expensive and ONSTAR doesn’t seem able to do much when it comes to pricing.
Our team appreciates you bringing this concern with your 2012 Chevrolet Equinox's OnStar hardware to our attention, @BWZ. The satisfaction of our loyal Members is very important to us, and we want to make sure that this trouble is resolved for you so that you can get back to what really matters with the connected services you love and depend on. For your awareness, our wireless network providers have transitioned their cellular towers in the U.S. from 2G networks to 4G or 5G connectivity. The transition was completed on December 31, 2022. After this transition, 2G network connectivity is no longer available. The decision to sunset these networks was made by the wireless network providers and the need to upgrade to newer technology. Certain 2015 and earlier GM vehicles on the road in the U.S. today currently leverage the 2G network for OnStar connectivity. For this reason, these in-vehicle connected services are no longer compatible with the technology equipped in your Equinox.
This does not mean that you can't still continue to take advantage of our amazing OnStar safety services. To help stay connected after the network sunset, our team encourages you to download the OnStar Guardian™ app. This impressive app allows our Members to take the safety and security of key OnStar services wherever they go. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting our website at OnStar Guardian App | Safety Services Right on Your Phone. If any additional questions should arise, please don't hesitate to follow up with us here for the best and continued support. Our assistance is only ever a message away.
Hello Jack: Regarding your comment: “The decision to sunset these networks was made by the wireless network providers and the need to upgrade to newer technology. Certain 2015 and earlier GM vehicles on the road in the U.S. today currently leverage the 2G network for OnStar connectivity. For this reason, these in-vehicle connected services are no longer compatible with the technology equipped in your Equinox.” While this may be true in the USA I have been told this is not the case in CANADA. My vehicle was upgraded to 4G Network. Since the new module was installed it will tell me that my vehicle is in demonstration mode connected by a 4G Network. However, ONSTAR can’t seem to connect to the module so my dealer who is working with YORK ELECTRONICS, the mfg of this module in Canada, is looking at replacing the module in hopes that it will work.
I will not for the life of me understand HOW 98% of complaints are about the exact same thing and no one is doing anything about it.
I have a 2023 Yukon XL, and it just suddenly started out of nowhere, the internet stops working, the engine light comes on , take it to the dealership and they said $ ohh it’s your OnStar computer it needs to be replaced. $buy the computer and labor $600. First of all why is the computer broke? This is a 2 year old vehicle! What is wrong with these companies? This is absolutely unacceptable. This is a lawsuitWe do regret to hear of any ongoing concerns with your vehicle. To further clarify, are you still working alongside your certified GMC dealership regarding your engine light an OnStar hardware? Our team would like to learn more and assist further in any way that we can. If you need help, please send us a private message. Just select the envelope icon at the top right of your screen to get started. When creating a new message, please be sure to enter Advisor_Helen to get connected directly to me.
I am having the exact same issue. I have a 2022 Yukon XL with about 40,000 miles. I brought it in for oil change and "updates," and on my way home from the dealership check engine light came on, and no Onstar services work. They are now telling me that the Onstar telemetry module needs to be replaced, at my cost. This is obviously unacceptable in an $80,000 vehicle.
Our team regrets to hear of these frustrating concerns that have left you without the OnStar services that you love and rely on. This does not sound like the kind of OnStar or GMC experience that we strive to provide for our members. We would like to look into this further and provide a layer of support between yourself and the dealership throughout the process of these repairs. Our utmost priority is to get you back happily on the road in as timely a manner as possible. To proceed, please send an email with these details to socialmedia@gm.com with, "ATTN:OS Community/eabetz," in the subject line. Our team will be monitoring our inbox for your message.
I'm writing to report an issue with my OnStar service in my 2022 GMC Yukon SLE. When my vehicle was parked, I attempted to locate it using the OnStar app, but the service wasn't working. Upon starting the engine, I noticed the OnStar green light was not illuminated inside the vehicle.
When I contacted OnStar support, they suggested it might be a hardware issue. However, I've noticed this problem seems to be widespread. I kindly request that you investigate this matter further to resolve the issue.