Hyundai Discontinuing Safety Support In Older Cars

Smart voice recognition technology is no longer exclusive to premium luxury cars. Hyundai recently unveiled its advanced AI voice recognition software for the 2021 Hyundai Elantra that can learn your habits and respond to commands by connecting to hundreds of different cloud-based services. Connected apps have also made car ownership more convenient, allowing owners to run a diagnostics test, start the engine, or unlock the doors remotely using a smartphone. Mercedes, for example, offers the Mercedes Me app, which was upgraded last year.

Again, this technology isn’t reserved for luxury cars, because Hyundai also offers its own connected car service called Blue Link.

Last year, Hyundai’s Blue Link connectivity technology was upgraded with new features and an improved user interface, but owners of older Hyundai models won’t be able to take advantage of this technology for much longer.

In a letter sent to dealers obtained by Cars Direct, Hyundai has announced it will no longer support the first generation of its Blue Link technology. As a result, some safety and security features will no longer be available in certain 2012-2016 Hyundai models. According to the letter, the 2G cellular service powering the system will no longer be supported after December 31. This will deactivate safety and security features such as automatic crash notification, SOS emergency assistance, roadside assistance, and stolen vehicle tracking.

Affected models include all 2012-2014 models with Blue Link, all 2015 models with Blue Link excluding the Sonata with navigation and Genesis models, and the 2016 Elantra, Elantra GT, Veloster (without navigation), Sonata Hybrid, Santa Fe, and Equus.

Monthly subscription plans will continue until the subscription ends, while owners with an annual subscription will receive a prorated refund. All new Hyundais come with a free three-year Blue Link trial, but that’s not much comfort to owners of older models that will effectively have their cars downgraded.