Emergency function about to die – Anne received no information from the car dealer
Cars in Norway still being sold with SOS buttons that will stop working by 2027, but Anne Hvaleby received no information about this when she bought her new electric vehicle.
22.10.2026 10:16 | Updated 12:16
In April 2026, Anne Hvaleby happily drove away from a dealership in Gjøvik in her brand new Suzuki eVitara.
This electric vehicle, like most other newer cars on Norwegian roads, has a so-called eCall system.
This is an important safety feature that automatically calls emergency services in serious accidents — it also shares data on the car’s location. Drivers can also manually use the SOS button on the roof.
On New Year’s Eve 2027, the eCall system in Anne’s new car will stop working. The system relies on 2G networks, which Telenor will shut down on December 31, 2027.
No information from the dealer
“I didn’t receive any information from the dealer about eCall stopping to work in my car in 2027,” Anne tells elbil.no.
It was only after she came across an article about 2G networks in a car magazine that she began to suspect it might apply to her car as well.
This suspicion was confirmed when she contacted the dealer again.
“The dealer replied that they had information about this on their website and thought that was sufficient information,” she says.
Anne believes this is not good enough:
“They sold me a car with a significant defect. They should have informed me in writing before I signed the sales contract,” she says.
Lawyer: “They sold a car with defects”
Anne Hvaleby is a member of Elbilforeningen, and after discovering the defect, she contacted Elbilforeningen’s membership service, which then reached out to law firm Molteberg Nilsen.
One of Elbilforeningen’s member benefits is a lower fixed fee for handling complaints, and the organization wanted to determine whether Anne had a valid case.
- We believe the dealer here sold a car that, under consumer protection laws, does not meet the requirements for durability, functionality, and safety, says Emil Morgenlie Skei, lawyer at Molteberg Nilsen.
- And isn’t information on a website sufficient?
- No. You can sell a product with a defect, but the seller must explicitly and specifically accept that deviation. A general reference on a website is not enough, says Skei.
May be able to file a lawsuit
– I think it’s stupid that I bought a new car without an important safety feature. This will also affect its value when I try to sell it later, says Anne.
She hopes the dealer will take responsibility and fix the defect.
Lawyer Skei believes Anne has a strong case:
- The natural primary requirement is usually compensation, meaning switching to a 4G/5G compatible eCall system at no cost to the consumer. We should note, however, that the consumer can hardly demand a specific technical solution if such an upgrade doesn’t exist, cannot be type-approved, or would be unreasonably expensive for the seller.
- According to our assessment, a price reduction seems the most realistic demand if compensation is impossible or unreasonable, or if it’s clear that no compensation will be given.
Electric Vehicle Association: – Important point
Christina Bu, General Secretary of the Electric Vehicle Association, believes Anne Hvalebys story is important, not least on principle.
- I’m glad Anne got in touch with us, and that our lawyers clearly outline the rights you have as a car buyer, says Bu.
- This is a crucial matter for new car buyers. Buying a new electric vehicle is expensive, and it’s about ensuring what you purchase will last for many years to come.
She expects the industry to provide better information to customers in the future.
– The information on a website is not sufficient; buyers must be specifically informed that eCall will not work when the 2G network is shut down. I urge new car buyers to pay attention—read the contract carefully and ask the dealer, advises Bu.
May also apply to new electric cars
NRK reported in February that the shutdown of 2G would affect around 700,000 cars in Norway’s vehicle fleet.
While many car manufacturers have now switched to 4G/5G, electric cars are still being sold in Norway where important safety functions will stop working after a little over a year.
“Many cars will be affected, but it’s difficult to create a complete list of which models will be impacted when 2G and 3G networks are phased out,” writes Bilia, one of Norway’s largest car dealer chains, on its website.
That’s difficult, and it’s also our experience after searching the internet for an overview of affected models. Bilia cites these factors as explanations for it:
Whether the car supports 4G or newer networks.
How e-Call was implemented when the car was produced.
What connected functions the car is equipped with.
Attorney Nilsen from Molteberg advises new car buyers to check what their car actually has.
- If you’re unsure, ask for a written confirmation from the dealer or importer related to the car’s VIN number.
- Then you should send a written complaint to the dealer, with a copy to the importer, requesting free repair or a discounted price, with a two-week response time, says Skei.
Are you facing a similar issue with car purchases? Get a free assessment of your case from Advokatfirmaet Molteberg Nilsen. As a member of the Electric Vehicle Association, you enjoy discounted rates for additional legal assistance.
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Car navigation systems, however, are not affected by the shutdown of 2G networks.
The State Road Administration has also clarified that eCall systems that fail due to the shutdown of 2G networks will not incur any consequences during periodic vehicle inspections, better known as EU checks.
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