OnStar Secrets Revealed

Q: Can OnStar listen inside my vehicle?

A: I am fairly certain that at one point, yes, that was possible. Now, however, by means of software or hardware upgrade, any time OnStar calls into a vehicle the system will "ring" like a phone before OnStar comes on the line. It is my opinion that OnStar did this to prevent government agencies from eavesdropping on vehicle occupants. (Use Google and you will find cases where this happened with the FBI several years ago.) All calls you make to OnStar, from your vehicle or landline, are recorded.

Q: Can OnStar find my vehicle if it is stolen in/taken to Mexico?

A: Possibly. Previously, if your vehicle was stolen IN Mexico and you had a valid police report filed in the US, OnStar would attempt to locate it. Now, OnStar has told advisors to deny these requests, using a line similar to "We lack the infrastructure and law enforcement connections to locate vehicles stolen in Mexico" and refer to the terms and conditions which states OnStar service is only available in the U.S. and Canada. Often times, it is possible to get a connection and a location on a vehicle in Mexico, however, OnStar doesn't have a mapping system for Mexico so the only information provided is the lat/long. I'll go into more detail on this later.

Q: How successful is OnStar at locating vehicles?

A: It depends. OnStar gets anywhere from 800 to 1200 stolen vehicle/missing person calls a month. Usually, the recovery rate has been between 60 and 70 percent, but they don't publish this information. In fact, they've stopped sharing it with most employees.

Q: How long does OnStar look for a stolen vehicle?

A: 48 hours from when you initially contact OnStar. They generally don't disclose this upfront. Also, you can get a 48 hour extension if you request it.

Q: Does OnStar continuously look for my vehicle during this period?

A: While advisers are instructed to tell you yes, the answer is actually no. Advisers will attempt to connect to the vehicle 3 times in the first half hour, then each half hour for about the first 6 hours, then once every 3 hours after that up to the 48 hour mark. During a 48 hour extension, attempts are made once every 12 hours. With only 60 or 70 people in the entire Vehicle Location Assistance Team, there is not enough manpower to continuously look for vehicles.

Q: I no longer have OnStar, can my vehicle still be located?

A: Possibly. It all depends on if the mobile number on your vehicle has been removed. If it has, then at that point there is no way for OnStar to connect to your vehicle. This happens sooner if you call and cancel your service. If you allow your service to lapse, it could take several weeks to several months. OnStar advisers are trained to tell you your vehicle cannot be located if your service is not currently active, except if it is a missing person case or life threatening situation.