Picture this: You're cruising down the road in your trusty GM vehicle, only to discover that the built-in app store for your car's infotainment system has suddenly vanished, leaving you locked out of new downloads and even risking the loss of what you've already installed. It's a frustrating reality that's hitting owners of certain Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, and Cadillac models right now, and it's sparking a wave of dissatisfaction among car enthusiasts and everyday drivers alike.
But here's where it gets controversial – this isn't just a glitch; it's a deliberate shift by General Motors that's raising eyebrows about how long automakers should support older vehicles. Posted on November 4, 2025, by Jay Peters from The Verge, the issue affects a wide range of models from the 2017 to 2020 model years, as detailed in a report by GMAuthority. For those unfamiliar, an infotainment system is essentially your car's high-tech hub for entertainment and connectivity, allowing you to stream music, navigate with apps like Google Maps, or even access Pandora directly from the dashboard screen. Think of it as a smartphone built into your vehicle – but now, for these affected cars, that hub is partially shutting down.
The core problem? Owners of these vehicles – spanning popular models like the Chevy Cruze, GMC Terrain, Buick Encore, and Cadillac XT4 – are no longer able to download or install new apps through the system's built-in store. Worse still, any apps they've already downloaded and enjoyed won't receive ongoing support or updates from GM. And this is the part most people miss: if you decide to delete an app to free up space, or if you perform a factory reset to troubleshoot issues, you'll lose permanent access to it altogether. No reinstallation, no recovery – it's gone for good. This could mean saying goodbye to features like real-time traffic updates or your favorite podcast apps, depending on what you've got loaded up.
To put it in perspective, imagine buying a phone that stops getting new apps after a few years – you'd probably feel shortchanged, right? GM's move seems tied to evolving technology and cost-cutting, as the company pushes buyers toward newer models with more advanced systems. But is this fair to loyal customers who invested in these vehicles, expecting them to hold their value and functionality? Some argue it's a smart business decision to focus resources on cutting-edge tech, while others see it as a betrayal of trust, especially since these cars aren't that old. After all, a 2017 model might still feel brand new to many owners.
Interestingly, this decision might force drivers to explore alternatives, like using their smartphones for app-based features via Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, which many modern GM cars support. But for those without compatible phones or who prefer the seamless in-car integration, it's a significant setback. And here's a thought-provoking angle: Does GM have an ethical obligation to provide indefinite support for purchased products, or should buyers expect planned obsolescence in tech-heavy items like cars? It's a debate worth having, especially as electric and autonomous vehicles redefine what we expect from our rides.
What do you think – is this a reasonable evolution of technology, or an unfair shake for GM's faithful? Do automakers owe us 'forever' support, or is it time to embrace upgrades? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you've been affected or if you see this as the new normal in the auto industry!
