Can I activate OnStar after my vehicle is stolen?

Asked by: Prof. Mittie Herzog IV  |  Last update: February 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (49 votes)

Once you contact OnStar, an advisor will contact the local authorities and report your vehicle as stolen. Then, they can activate your car's GPS and begin tracking it. The technology can be used to find your vehicle and can remotely slow your vehicle down in some cases.

Can OnStar be activated after a car is stolen?

Members can call 1.888. 4ONSTAR to report their vehicle as stolen and begin the process of recovery through Stolen Vehicle Assistance once they have filed a police report. You will be contacted by law enforcement or OnStar with updates on the status of the vehicle recovery.

Can OnStar be activated without being in the car?

No. OnStar must be activated initially by pressing the blue button from within the car. It cannot be done without being in the car. If your car has already been stolen it won't hurt anything to call them and ask.

Can OnStar start my car if I lose my keys?

OnStar could remote start but you will not be able to drive it without the fob. The process requires you press the start button with the fob in the car in order to engage the transmission.

How do I get OnStar to help with stolen cars?

Once an OnStar subscriber has reported a stolen vehicle to law enforcement, he or she can call OnStar and request Stolen Vehicle Assistance. An OnStar Advisor will use advanced Global Positioning Satellite technology to pinpoint the exact location of the stolen vehicle which will be provided only to law enforcement.

Can OnStar Track A Stolen Car If Not Activated?

31 related questions found

Can OnStar help me unlock my car?

Locked out

More than 1,600 drivers every day are rescued from this annoying and highly inconvenient situation by calling 1.888. 4ONSTAR (1.888. 466.7827) and having an Advisor unlock their doors * (if properly equipped). You can also use your vehicle mobile app * to remotely unlock your vehicle.

How do I track my car if it's stolen?

How to Find a Stolen Car: 10 Effective Ways
  1. File a “Car Stolen” Report to the Police. ...
  2. Track Stolen Car with VIN Number. ...
  3. Use GPS Device to Track Your Stolen Car. ...
  4. Check Security Camera Footage to Find Your Stolen Car. ...
  5. Contact Your Insurance Company. ...
  6. Inform Your Leasing Company If Your Rented Car Is Stolen.

What will I lose if I cancel OnStar?

If you let your service plan expire or choose to cancel it, your OnStar system will be deactivated. All services — including Automatic Crash Response and Emergency Services — will be shut off. Your vehicle won't be able to connect with us for help, even in a crash.

Who can unlock my car for free?

They can dispatch appropriate personnel, including police or firefighters, who may have the necessary tools to unlock your car door safely.
  • Reaching Out to Roadside Assistance Programs. ...
  • Seeking Help from Law Enforcement. ...
  • Contacting Local Towing Companies. ...
  • Reaching Out to Car Dealerships. ...
  • Searching for Locksmith Services.

Can my car be tracked if I have OnStar?

It's a question we hear a lot — “can OnStar locate my car?” We sure can.

What is needed to activate OnStar?

If your car is Model Year 2015 or newer, push your blue OnStar button or call 1.888. 466.7827 to speak with an Advisor and get your service started. Next up: Hit the App Store® * or Google Play * and download your vehicle's mobile app, * which can help you stay connected with your vehicle.

What happens if I press the OnStar button in my car?

All you have to do to connect to one is push a button. Pushing the red Emergency button gives you a priority connection to an Emergency Advisor. * The blue OnStar button connects you to a specially trained OnStar Advisor, who is available to help in many other situations.

How do police track stolen cars?

The Police Tracking Computer provides the police officer, via the dispatcher, all pertinent information about the stolen vehicle. The LoJack monitor installed in patrol cars has a strength indicator that tells the officer if he is within one mile of the stolen vehicle, allowing time for back-up help to be called.

Can someone disable OnStar?

The only way to completely eliminate OnStar is to physically disconnect the module from your vehicle. Other than the OnStar system and its related services (Automatic Crash Response and Emergency Services), no other system in the vehicle should stop working when you disconnect the module.

Can I report my car stolen if my son took it?

Of course you can. Taking something that's not yours, without permission is theft. Since he took stolen property across state lines it might also be a Federal crime.

Will OnStar unlock my vehicle?

You'll be happy to hear that as long as you are enrolled in any active OnStar plan and your vehicle is properly equipped, then yes, OnStar can unlock your vehicle for you. All you need to do is call OnStar customer service, or you can unlock your vehicle through the OnStar mobile app (depending on your plan).

Will the cops unlock my car for free?

In most cases, the police can either break a window or use a slender metal tool to unlock your door without needing a key. While there's typically no charge for their assistance, it's essential to use this option only in emergencies, as you'll be responsible for repairing any damage to your window.

How much do they charge to unlock the car?

Here are some general price ranges for common car locksmith services. Car Lockout Service. Expect to pay between $60 and $150 for standard service during business hours. Emergency or after-hours service can increase the cost to $150 to $250 or more.

Why is OnStar ending?

General Motors announced Wednesday it is discontinuing OnStar Smart Driver, an optional program that provided users with data about their driving, across all of its vehicles, doing so after complaints surfaced about privacy violations and how user information was shared with data analytics companies LexisNexis and ...

Does OnStar still work without subscription?

A few taps on your device can unlock your Chevy's full potential. While most features on the myChevrolet app require an active OnStar subscription, you can still use the app to access valuable services without a paid plan. However, an OnStar subscription may be necessary to use remote access and safety features fully.

Does OnStar work when the car is off?

If the vehicle is parked and turned off, the OnStar Advisor can use Remote Ignition Block™ * to prevent the engine from being restarted, allowing the police to recover the vehicle.

Does insurance cover a stolen car?

Car Theft Insurance: When Am I Entitled to Coverage? Downey drivers whose cars are stolen in Califonia will have car theft insurance if they have comprehensive coverage. That should cover you up to the Actual Cash Value (ACV) of your vehicle. If your car is damaged due to a break-in, you'll also be covered.

Can you tell if a car is stolen by the VIN number?

NICB's VINCheck is a free service provided to the public to assist in determining if a vehicle has been reported as stolen, but not recovered, or has been reported as a salvage vehicle by cooperating NICB member insurance companies. To perform a search, a vehicle identification number (VIN) is required.