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Spotify Car Thing is dead. Spotify disabled every unit on December 9, 2024, less than three years after its February 2022 U.S. launch at $89.99. The hardware may still power on, but it no longer performs the Spotify functions it was sold to provide. Spotify offered a proof-of-purchase refund process, with a publicly reported January 14, 2025 contact deadline that has now passed.
What Car Thing was supposed to do
Car Thing was a dedicated in-car Spotify controller for vehicles without modern infotainment. It combined a small touchscreen, rotary knob, preset buttons and voice control. The intended audience included drivers whose cars had Bluetooth or an auxiliary input but lacked Apple CarPlay or Android Auto.
It was never a standalone cellular music player. Spotify’s launch announcement said owners needed a Spotify Premium account and a phone with a mobile-data connection. The phone handled the Spotify connection while Car Thing provided controls and sent audio to the vehicle’s sound system. Spotify’s launch announcement described the product and its requirements.
The shutdown timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | Spotify announced Car Thing as an exploration of in-car listening. |
| October 2021 | A limited release went to selected Spotify Premium users. |
| February 22, 2022 | Public U.S. launch at $89.99, requiring Premium and a phone with mobile data. Spotify newsroom |
| July 2022 | Spotify stopped producing new units while saying existing devices would continue to be supported. |
| May 23, 2024 | Spotify announced that all Car Thing units would stop operating on December 9, 2024. TechCrunch report |
| May 28–29, 2024 | A proposed class action was filed in the Southern District of New York. |
| May 30, 2024 | Spotify confirmed a refund process requiring proof of purchase. |
| December 9, 2024 | Car Thing units were disabled and began displaying a non-operational message. TechCrunch report |
| January 14, 2025 | Publicized deadline to contact Spotify about refund options. |
Why Spotify shut it down
Spotify said it was streamlining its product offerings and concentrating on other features and enhancements. Reporting on the announcement also cited low demand and supply-chain problems. Spotify did not publish a complete sales figure in the cited material, so a precise commercial-failure claim cannot be established from the public record.
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- Push To Talk - Connect to your Smartphone’s Android and IOS assistant with the push of a button via Bluetooth. This unit Lets you access information, accept commands, and keep driving
- Switchable Tuner - The selectable tuner function allows you to adjust this receiver's tuner to receive radio broadcasts in the US & Europe
- Bluetooth - Answer/make calls and be hands-free with no distractions. The built-in microphone picks up your voice and your car speakers let you hear the person on the other side. Play and control your music and apps like Spotify/Pandora wirelessly
- Auxiliary - Compatible with the audio output from smartphones as well as MP3 players
- Inputs - The USB port gives you the option to have a vast library of audio files at your fingertips. The auxiliary input is a convenient way to hook up to your MP3 player. Advanced Bluetooth supported profiles include A2DP, AVRCP and HFP
The product also occupied a shrinking niche. Newer cars increasingly include Bluetooth, built-in Spotify, CarPlay or Android Auto. Yet that does not erase Car Thing’s original value for owners of older vehicles: it supplied physical controls without replacing the dashboard. Spotify’s 2022 announcement presented Car Thing as an exploration of in-car listening rather than a clearly promised long-term hardware platform. TechCrunch’s shutdown coverage reports Spotify’s explanation.
Was Car Thing “bricked”?
“Bricked” is fair shorthand for the consumer outcome: a paid device became unusable for its intended purpose. It does not establish that Spotify physically destroyed every component. The distinction matters:
- Hardware failure: a screen, knob or circuit could fail independently.
- Service shutdown: Spotify ended the software and server path required for normal playback and control.
- Practical result: the product no longer functions as the Spotify player buyers purchased.
TechCrunch reported that disabled units displayed a message saying they were “no longer operational.” Spotify’s guidance told owners to factory-reset the device and dispose of it under local electronic-waste rules. The shutdown report and the original announcement coverage document that result.
Rank #2
- Seamless Bluetooth Connectivity: Car stereo with Bluetooth technology allows you to enjoy hands-free calling and high-quality wireless music streaming from your iPhone and Android devices.
- Powerful, Clear Audio Performance: Equipped with a built-in MOSFET amplifier, this Pioneer car stereo delivers up to 50 watts per channel to four speakers for rich, dynamic sound across your entire vehicle.
- High-Quality Music Playback via USB: Enjoy clear, detailed sound from your favorite tracks using the front USB input—compatible with FLAC, MP3, and WMA formats.
- Compact 1-DIN Design: Single din radio is designed with a super-short chassis to make installation easy, even in vehicles with limited dash space, without compromising on performance.
- Simple Sound Customization: Dedicated Direct EQ Keys let you adjust bass, treble, and balance settings on the Pioneer stereo to match your personal listening style.
A lawsuit alleges that Spotify distributed software intended to make Car Thing nonfunctional. That is a plaintiff’s allegation, not a court finding. Community firmware or reuse projects may exist, but they are not official Spotify-supported replacements and their security, legality, permanence and compatibility cannot be assumed.
Why owners were furious
- Many paid about $90 for a product launched in February 2022.
- Spotify had indicated that existing units would remain supported after production ended.
- A working piece of hardware was converted into electronic waste by a vendor-controlled service decision.
- There was no universal automatic refund or replacement announced at the initial shutdown.
- The people most dependent on Car Thing—drivers without CarPlay or Android Auto—were pointed toward alternatives they might not own.
The dispute therefore concerned more than the $89.99 purchase price. Owners had bought a physical interface whose useful life still depended on Spotify’s servers and software. When that dependency ended, the expected lifespan ended with it.
What happened with refunds
Initial response
Early coverage reported that Spotify had not announced a general refund or trade-in program when it revealed the shutdown. Ars Technica’s report records that backlash.
Rank #3
- Enhanced Connectivity: Stay connected on the go with the KENWOOD Car Stereo KMM-BT270U, featuring Bluetooth technology for seamless wireless audio streaming and hands-free calling from your smartphone
- Powerful Sound Performance: Experience exceptional audio quality with the built-in MOSFET amplifier, delivering up to 200 Watts Max power output, ensuring crystal-clear sound and deep bass for an immersive driving experience
- Versatile Media Options: This digital media receiver supports various media formats, allowing you to enjoy your favorite music via USB, AUX input, or even connect your iPod or iPhone for seamless playback.
- Convenient USB Charging: Rapidly charge your compatible smartphones and devices while driving, thanks to the USB connection feature, ensuring your devices stay powered up and ready for use.
- Trusted KENWOOD Quality: With the KENWOOD brand, you can trust in the durability, reliability, and superior performance of this car stereo, making it a perfect upgrade for any car audio system
Proof-of-purchase process
On May 30, 2024, Spotify confirmed that owners could contact customer service for a refund if they supplied proof of purchase. The process was not presented as an automatic payment to every owner. TechCrunch reported the requirement.
The deadline has expired
Spotify later directed owners to contact support by January 14, 2025 to discuss refund options. That publicized deadline has passed. The reviewed sources do not establish a continuing universal refund program in 2026, so claims that refunds are routinely still available are unverified.
What a late claimant can still do
- Gather the original order confirmation, receipt or payment record.
- Record the Car Thing serial number and the Spotify account email associated with the purchase.
- Contact Spotify support and ask specifically whether an exception process remains available.
- Request a written determination and retain every response.
- Check the original payment method and purchase address for supporting records.
Do not treat isolated reports of Premium credits or partial compensation as a standardized remedy, and do not pay a third party merely to “join” a class action unless a lawyer or court-approved notice directs you to do so.
Rank #4
- 【Bluetooth Upgrade for Older Vehicles】Upgrade your vehicle with this single DIN Bluetooth radio and enjoy wireless music without replacing your entire car audio system. The Bluetooth car stereo pairs with a compatible smartphone to stream playlists, podcasts, and audiobooks through your vehicle’s speakers, giving daily commutes and road trips a more convenient, cable-free soundtrack.
- 【Hands-Free Calling & Push-to-Talk】The built-in microphone and dedicated answer/end button let you hear calls through your car speakers and talk without holding your phone. Once Bluetooth is connected, press the push-to-talk button to access a supported phone voice assistant for calls or music, helping reduce phone handling while driving.
- 【FM Radio with 18 Presets】This FM car radio covers 87.5–108 MHz and supports automatic and manual station search. Save up to 18 favorite stations, while the memory function keeps them ready for quick access to music, news, weather, talk shows, sports, and local traffic information.
- 【5 Ways to Play & Multiple Audio Formats】Enjoy music through Bluetooth, FM radio, USB, AUX input, or TF/microSD card. This car stereo supports MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, and WAV files, giving you flexible listening options with or without mobile data. Rear RCA outputs also support connection to a compatible external amplifier or powered subwoofer.
- 【50W x 4 Output, EQ & 7-Color Lighting】This single DIN car stereo delivers up to 50W x 4 maximum output across four channels. Choose from Pop, Rock, and Classic EQ presets to match different music styles, then select one of seven LED button colors to complement your dashboard and personalize your driving space.
What the lawsuit alleges—and what it does not prove
Mazumder et al. v. Spotify USA Inc., 24-cv-4077, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in May 2024. The complaint seeks proposed class-action treatment and monetary relief. It alleges that Spotify sold Car Thing without adequately disclosing that it could later force the product into obsolescence, deprived buyers of the benefit of their bargain, and planned a software or firmware change that would render units nonfunctional. The complaint copy and the Digital Music News copy contain those allegations.
Those statements are claims by plaintiffs, not findings that Spotify violated the law. Public tracking pages updated in 2026 describe the matter as pending, but the sources reviewed here do not establish a reliable final judgment, settlement, dismissal or latest docket order. Truth in Advertising and ClassAction.org are status references, not substitutes for direct docket verification.
Spotify’s general U.S. terms include arbitration and class-action-related provisions, but those general terms should not automatically be assumed to control this litigation. Read the current end-user agreement and consult a licensed attorney for advice about an individual claim, limitation period or arbitration issue.
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- Sony DSX-A410BT Bluetooth FM/AM USB AUX Digital Media Player Bundled
- Wirelessly connect your first phone to play music, get directions and communicate with contacts · Add a second phone to make additional hands-free calls on the move
- Connect two smartphones with Dual Bluetooth: Pair your first phone using DSX-A410BT for full access to navigation, music playback, and communication features
- Control by talking: Enjoy helpful smartphone features without taking your eyes off the road
- Voice control lets you manage music, get real-time directions, and communicate with contacts – all via simple spoken commands
What owners should do with a dead unit
- Do not rely on Car Thing for navigation, emergency communication or hands-free control.
- Remove personal account information if an account remains associated with the device.
- Factory-reset it where possible, following Spotify’s guidance.
- Use an authorized electronics-recycling channel rather than household trash.
- Treat used listings as collectible or salvage hardware, not as working Spotify players.
Realistic replacements by vehicle type
Spotify’s current in-car guidance lists Bluetooth, AUX or USB, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and compatible built-in vehicle systems. Spotify’s support page explains the supported connection categories.
Cars with CarPlay or Android Auto
Use Apple CarPlay with an iPhone or Android Auto with an Android phone. These platforms add navigation, calls, messaging and support for multiple audio services, rather than only Spotify. Compatibility depends on the vehicle or stereo, phone and wired or wireless connection. Apple documents CarPlay at Apple.com; Google documents Android Auto at Android.com and Spotify playback at Google Support.
Older cars with Bluetooth audio
Pair the phone directly if the vehicle supports Bluetooth music, not merely Bluetooth calls. This is usually the least expensive route, but it does not reproduce Car Thing’s dedicated screen, presets or rotary control. Spotify’s device directory lists Bluetooth compatibility while noting that exact behavior depends on the car and phone: Spotify device directory.
Cars with AUX or USB only
An auxiliary cable or supported USB connection can carry phone audio to the stereo. Check whether a USB port provides media or CarPlay rather than charging only. The phone still supplies the interface, so this option is functional but not a like-for-like replacement.
Cars needing modern infotainment
An aftermarket head unit supporting CarPlay or Android Auto is the closest functional replacement for an older vehicle without a suitable display. Budget for a vehicle-specific dashboard kit, wiring harness, possible steering-wheel-control adapter and installation. Verify wired versus wireless support, fit, return terms, warranty and update policy before buying; total installed cost can greatly exceed Car Thing’s original $89.99 price.
The ownership lesson
Car Thing illustrates the difference between owning hardware and owning a continuing service. Production ended in 2022, but the more consequential decision came in 2024, when Spotify ended the service that made the hardware useful. For future connected-device purchases, ask how long support is promised, whether core functions work offline, whether replacement parts and software are documented, and what happens if the vendor closes its servers.
Quick Recap
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