How to Deactivate OnStar
by Johnno CaryUpdated July 21, 2023OnStar is a vehicle safety and security system that is pre-installed at the factory on many new car brands like Chevrolet (chevy) Silverados, and GMC/GM vehicles like Buicks. When you buy a vehicle that includes an OnStar system, the initial subscription term is included in the purchase price. Although the services offered by an OnStar device are useful to many people and can be especially helpful during an emergency, like contacting authorities or finding someone to bring you a spare tire, some vehicle owners may want to unsubscribe and disable OnStar GPS tracking because of cost or because they do not want their vehicle tracked with the tracking device system or adjusted by the remote diagnostics system.
Step 1
Press the blue OnStar button, usually located on the rearview mirror or the right side panel in your vehicle to activate the OnStar module and connect to an OnStar adviser via hands free bluetooth. Alternatively, OnStar takes phone calls at 1-888-4-ONSTAR (466-7827) toll-free.
Step 2
Tell the OnStar service adviser you want to deactivate OnStar your OnStar module subscription. If you are serious about canceling the service, be prepared to fend off the OnStar adviser’s offers of a discounted rate and other FAQs.
Step 3
Verify that OnStar stops billing your credit card or other automatic payment method for the service. If you do not pay for OnStar using an automatic payment method, you don’t have to worry about this. Instead, if you do not pay your bills personally, let whoever pays your bills know that you have canceled OnStar and that future bills from OnStar should not be paid.
Tips
To completely remove the OnStar box from your car, look up where the box is located in the make and model of your car. Usually it is located in one of the corners of the trunk or the glove box. Get a screwdrive and unscrew the metal plate that keeps it in place.
Tips
You can cancel OnStar any time during your subscription. You can also reactivate it at any time if you decide you want to subscribe to OnStar again.
If you paid in advance for more than one month, OnStar will issue you a partial refund. It does not refund subscriptions that were included in the vehicle purchase price.
Warnings
When you cancel your OnStar subscription, all OnStar features and services will stop working. If you are involved in a car accident, OnStar will not respond or send help.
If you provided OnStar with a credit card number when your system was activated, you must contact it to cancel the service, even if the subscription was for a specific term, because you are enrolled in an automatic payment program.
References
Resources
Tips
- You can cancel OnStar any time during your subscription. You can also reactivate it at any time if you decide you want to subscribe to OnStar again.
- If you paid in advance for more than one month, OnStar will issue you a partial refund. It does not refund subscriptions that were included in the vehicle purchase price.
Things You'll Need
- Active OnStar subscription
Warnings
- When you cancel your OnStar subscription, all OnStar features and services will stop working. If you are involved in a car accident, OnStar will not respond or send help.
- If you provided OnStar with a credit card number when your system was activated, you must contact it to cancel the service, even if the subscription was for a specific term, because you are enrolled in an automatic payment program.
