Uconnect Deceptive Branding & Marketing

[NewFCAcustomer]

I am creating this thread to get a feel for how many people purchased a 2019 Ram with a Uconnect w/Sirius XM radio thinking they would be able to access the Uconnect app, but were unable to do so because their Ram was NOT outfitted with the SiriusXM Guardian equipment.

The more people that speak up, the more my attorney will be interested in pursuing a class action suit against FCA for deceptive marketing.

Questions you may wish to answer.

1. Did your salesperson inform you that the Sirius XM Guardian (optional equipment) was required to access the Uconnect app?

2. Did you believe that because the radio is called Uconnect that you would have access to the Uconnect app?

3. Did you research the Ram truck and it’s options prior to purchasing, but not discover that the Uconnect app would require optional equipment different than what is standard?

4. Did you and your salesperson discuss the Ram options and they never told you about the optional equipment requirement to access the Uconnect app?

 

[spaightlabs]

Welcome to the site - great first post!

How exactly is your life being impacted negatively by not having the uconnect app?

I.E., in the language of ambulance chasers, what are the damages, man?

If you google 'uconnect' the first result is https://www.driveuconnect.com

I promise your truck, if you really own one, is still fully operable as a truck without the functionality of Guardian and the phone app.

 

[Firebird]

Got what I paid for, and I’m very happy

 

[J-Cooz]

If you've ever used the app you'll realize it's complete dog ****. Basically all you can do is remotely start or lock/unlock your car (if it even works).

I think a law suit is a little ridiculous.

 

[cra1g]

The deceptive part isn't that it costs extra--it's that they make it seem like a feature worth having at all. The functionality is so bad I wouldn't use it for free, so it makes no difference to me that the subscription is ridiculously overpriced.

 

[J-Cooz]

The deceptive part isn't that it costs extra--it's that they make it seem like a feature worth having at all. The functionality is so bad I wouldn't use it for free, so it makes no difference to me that the subscription is ridiculously overpriced.

Yep. I downloaded it for my limited and haven't used it once. The hilarious part is when the trial ends they ask you if you want to spend $20/month to use it.

 

[Neokane]

Yes.. I want a refund for my free trial period... lol

It is crap and not worth paying for..
If you pay for it, then you got taken!

 

[ldoh]

I am creating this thread to get a feel for how many people purchased a 2019 Ram with a Uconnect w/Sirius XM radio thinking they would be able to access the Uconnect app, but were unable to do so because their Ram was NOT outfitted with the SiriusXM Guardian equipment.

The more people that speak up, the more my attorney will be interested in pursuing a class action suit against FCA for deceptive marketing.

Questions you may wish to answer.

1. Did your salesperson inform you that the Sirius XM Guardian (optional equipment) was required to access the Uconnect app?

2. Did you believe that because the radio is called Uconnect that you would have access to the Uconnect app?

3. Did you research the Ram truck and it’s options prior to purchasing, but not discover that the Uconnect app would require optional equipment different than what is standard?

4. Did you and your salesperson discuss the Ram options and they never told you about the optional equipment requirement to access the Uconnect app?

I feel your pain. I finally had a chance to really lean on my 8.4 inch 4C NAV and discovered a multitude of navigation shortcomings and flaws including a lack of useful user's manual information unless you opt for, you guessed it, Uconnect. It's been a while since I ever used a navigation system this crappy.

I haven't downloaded an Android or Apple app but thought 4C could work well on it's own. Maybe I will try downloading one of those but normally vehicle nav systems have a sufficient on board data to display city/town names, let me know what towns are coming up next, accept city/zip code for a destination, integrate well with other multimedia apps, conveniently toggle between alternate route information for decision making, etc. Another issue is 4C NAV display format appears to be designed for the more vertical 12" display so 8.4" users need to zoom in frequently to see what is upcoming. Unfortunately, when you zoom it the software over rides it within 20 secs or so as it apparently knows best.

I did a quick forum search and was surprised to not find any 8.4" 4C NAV complaints. I was hoping it was a settings issue but there's too much mucked up.

1) No.
2) Yes.
3) Some but not deep enough.
4) Yes. He only went over Android and Apple apps.

 

[ldoh]

The deceptive part isn't that it costs extra--it's that they make it seem like a feature worth having at all. The functionality is so bad I wouldn't use it for free, so it makes no difference to me that the subscription is ridiculously overpriced.

Glad I didn't download it.

My bad, I didn't realize Uconnect is FCA.

 

[Rob5589]

Never heard of the app. So no, I do not feel deceived. Your "attorney" sounds legit, though. "Hey dude, go online and see if you can find a bunch of people angry over an app so I can make some money file a lawsuit on their behalf."

 

[NewFCAcustomer]

Welcome to the site - great first post!

How exactly is your life being impacted negatively by not having the uconnect app?

I.E., in the language of ambulance chasers, what are the damages, man?

If you google 'uconnect' the first result is https://www.driveuconnect.com

I promise your truck, if you really own one, is still fully operable as a truck without the functionality of Guardian and the phone app.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I happen to live in what is commonly referred to as the “Frozen Tundra.” Being able to remotely start your vehicle from a couple of blocks or even a quarter mile away is a must have feature for me. I would much prefer to get in my truck and have the seats/interior be at 35 degrees in lieu of -30. Parking is quite poor at my work and yes I do frequently have to walk a quarter mile from the parking lot.

I realize most people don’t have to deal with the harsh climates, but some of us do.

 

[NewFCAcustomer]

If you've ever used the app you'll realize it's complete dog ****. Basically all you can do is remotely start or lock/unlock your car (if it even works).

I think a law suit is a little ridiculous.

Thank you for commenting. Those two features, most importantly the remote start, are exactly what I unknowingly gave up when I traded in my Silverado.

 

[Rob5589]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I happen to live in what is commonly referred to as the “Frozen Tundra.” Being able to remotely start your vehicle from a couple of blocks or even a quarter mile away is a must have feature for me. I would much prefer to get in my truck and have the seats/interior be at 35 degrees in lieu of -30. Parking is quite poor at my work and yes I do frequently have to walk a quarter mile from the parking lot.

I realize most people don’t have to deal with the harsh climates, but some of us do.

So your damage claim is; it is cold in your truck when you get in? Can you honestly say you bought the truck based on the fact that it can be started a 1/4 mile away?

...how many people purchased a 2019 Ram with a Uconnect w/Sirius XM radio thinking they would be able to access the Uconnect app...

From your original post. A lawsuit will go nowhere based on what you thought.

 

[FirstTimeRamDriver]

I use it for remote start, works every time . Kinda required when it’s 20 below .

 

[troutspinner]

I feel for you @NewFCAcustomer but you didn't do your due diligence. Good luck getting an attorney to take the case.

 

[NewFCAcustomer]

I feel for you @NewFCAcustomer but you didn't do your due diligence. Good luck getting an attorney to take the case.

Sad part is that I did research my purchase extrememly well. Countless hours online and probably 20 hours with different sales people at different dealerships, it was never mentioned. Per my window sticker, I have a Uconnect radio and I have Sirius XM. I feel the marketing and branding are deceptive because they call everything by the same/similar names without being clear that the equipment will not work with the app. Uconnect radio does not work with Uconnect app. Uconnect radio with Sirius XM does not work with Uconnect app. I am a highly informed customer, but their branding and marketing is misleading.

 

[cra1g]

Key word is "Available", which means it's not included on all vehicles. Sorry you didn't get what you want, but I don't see how this is deceptive.

 

[cipherbreak]

The one feature I care about is the ability to send an address from a cell phone to uConnect. I didn’t know I’d have to pay for a subscription service to do something that was free in my previous vehicle.

I agree that it is deceitful. You have the UConnect system but need the SiriusXM Guardian subscription (3rd party) to use the UConnect app.

 

[troutspinner]

Sad part is that I did research my purchase extrememly well. Countless hours online and probably 20 hours with different sales people at different dealerships, it was never mentioned. Per my window sticker, I have a Uconnect radio and I have Sirius XM. I feel the marketing and branding are deceptive because they call everything by the same/similar names without being clear that the equipment will not work with the app. Uconnect radio does not work with Uconnect app. Uconnect radio with Sirius XM does not work with Uconnect app. I am a highly informed customer, but their branding and marketing got this one passed me.

Let me give you some advice for future vehicle purchases. NEVER let a sales person educate you, NEVER assume a vehicle comes with anything more than what is on the sticker and NEVER sign a piece of paper until you know the vehicle you may want to purchase inside and out, physically.

 

[wahudiditagain]

Android Auto or CarPlay has better Nav funtionality. The only thing I wish I had was the ability to unlock my doors if I screw up and lock the keyfob inside.