Manage Car And Driver

How to cancel Car And Driver magazine in malaysia and stop the auto-renewal charges

What Car And Driver is and why malaysian subscribers struggle to cancel

Car And Driver is an automotive magazine brand that delivers car reviews, comparisons, industry news, and buyer guides to readers across the globe, including Malaysia. When you subscribe, you are not buying a single printed issue; you are buying ongoing access to 6 print issues per year plus digital access to current and archived content. The subscription renews automatically every 12 months unless you actively cancel it.

The subscription costs approximately RM71 (USD $14.99) per year, and that recurring charge hits your card automatically until you send a formal cancellation request. This is where many Malaysian readers feel frustrated. Car And Driver does not offer a self-service cancellation button on its main website, which means you cannot simply log in, click "cancel," and walk away. Instead, you must contact the U.S.-based customer service team by email or phone, which creates delays, confusion, and-for many readers-forgotten cancellation requests that result in unexpected charges.

At Stopee, we help Malaysian consumers understand exactly how to navigate overseas subscription services like this one, so you stay in control of your spending and avoid unwanted renewals.

How the auto-renewal trap works

Car And Driver's business model relies on auto-renewal. Your subscription starts on a specific date, and 365 days later, the company charges your card again automatically. If you do not cancel before that renewal date, the money leaves your account, and your next 12 months of access begins. Many subscribers do not realise this until the charge appears on their statement weeks after they have stopped reading the magazine.

The lack of a clear cancellation path on the website makes this worse. Other magazine services let you cancel online in seconds; Car And Driver requires you to email or call U.S. customer service during their business hours, which may not align with Malaysian time zones.

Why malaysian subscribers face extra barriers

Car And Driver does not operate a dedicated Malaysian support office or publish a local cancellation address. All customer service flows through U.S. contacts, which means longer response times, possible communication gaps, and the need to follow U.S.-based procedures. When you call the support line (1-800-289-9464), you are dialling internationally, which incurs overseas call charges on your phone bill.

Additionally, some sellers route subscriptions through third-party platforms like Apple App Store or Google Play Store, which adds another layer of complexity. If you signed up through the wrong channel, your cancellation request will be ignored or misdirected.

Your consumer rights in malaysia and what Car And Driver must respect

What malaysia's consumer protection act 1999 says about subscriptions

Under Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999, you have the right to cancel a subscription service within a reasonable timeframe, and the supplier must not use unfair contract terms that trap you into unwanted renewals. Auto-renewal itself is legal, but the law requires the service to give you clear, upfront notice of the renewal date and amount before charging your card.

If Car And Driver's website or confirmation email did not explicitly warn you that the subscription would auto-renew at a specific date for a specific amount, you have grounds to challenge the charge and demand a refund. Stopee advises keeping all signup emails and billing confirmations as evidence if you need to escalate a dispute.

What to do if Car And Driver refuses to refund an unwanted charge

If you cancel promptly but the company still charges your card after your cancellation request, or if they claim they never received your cancellation, you can lodge a complaint with the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FMCA) or escalate to the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living. These bodies enforce consumer protection law and can pressure the company to reverse wrongful charges.

In most cases, a single complaint letter mentioning the Consumer Protection Act 1999 is enough to prompt a refund. Stopee recommends sending your cancellation request via email (so you have a timestamped record) and following up with a complaint letter if the charge appears after cancellation.

How to cancel Car And Driver step by step

Method 1: cancel by email (recommended for malaysian subscribers)

Email is the safest cancellation method because you have a timestamped record that proves you requested cancellation. This protects you if the company later disputes that you ever asked to cancel.

1. Open your latest billing email from Car And Driver or log into your account and locate your subscription confirmation.
   • Write down your subscription email address, full name, and any order or customer number.
   • Note the date your last renewal charge processed.
2. Compose a new email to [email protected].
   • Subject line: "Subscription cancellation request - [Your email address]"
   • Body: "I am writing to request immediate cancellation of my Car And Driver subscription effective [today's date]. Please confirm cancellation in writing and ensure no further charges are applied. My subscription email is [your email], and my account details are [paste any order number or customer ID]."
3. Send the email and take a screenshot of the sent confirmation, including the timestamp.
4. Wait for a reply confirming cancellation. If you do not hear back within 5 business days, send a follow-up email and mark it urgent.
5. Pro tip: Use registered email or Gmail's "delivery receipt" feature so you have proof the email was received on Car And Driver's server. Keep this receipt forever.

Method 2: cancel by phone (faster but riskier without documentation)

Phone cancellation is quicker, but you lose the written record that protects you if disputes arise later. Only use this method if you are willing to follow up with an email confirmation immediately after the call.

1. Call Car And Driver customer service at +1-800-289-9464 (international dialling required; expect costs on your phone bill).
   • This is a U.S. number, so call during U.S. business hours: Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Time (9 p.m. to 8 a.m. Malaysia Standard Time). Plan ahead to avoid calling outside working hours.
2. When the agent answers, say: "I want to cancel my Car And Driver subscription immediately. Please confirm my full name, email address, and the cancellation effective date."
3. Ask the agent for a cancellation confirmation number and the name of the representative you spoke with.
4. Immediately after the call, email the customer service address with the subject "Confirmation of phone cancellation" and paste the confirmation number and agent name in the message. This creates a backup record.
5. Warning: Do not rely on the phone call alone. If you cannot provide written proof of your cancellation request later, the company can claim the call never happened.

Method 3: cancel through your payment platform (if applicable)

If you subscribed via Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or another third-party platform, you must cancel through that platform, not by contacting Car And Driver directly. Cancelling with Car And Driver while an active subscription runs through Apple or Google will not stop the charges.

1. If you subscribed via Apple:
   • On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your name] > Subscriptions.
   • Find Car And Driver in the list and tap it.
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm the cancellation.
   • Take a screenshot showing the subscription is now inactive.
2. If you subscribed via Google Play:
   • Open the Google Play Store app and tap your profile icon (top right).
   • Go to Payments and subscriptions > Subscriptions.
   • Find Car And Driver and tap it.
   • Tap "Cancel subscription" and confirm.
   • Take a screenshot showing the cancellation confirmation.
3. Pro tip: Even after cancelling through Apple or Google, send a follow-up email to Car And Driver's customer service confirming you have cancelled via the platform. This gives you a double layer of proof.

Refunds, access after cancellation, and what to expect next

Will you get a refund for unused subscription time?

Car And Driver does not offer pro-rated refunds for cancellation mid-cycle. If your annual subscription renews on January 15 and you cancel on February 1, you will not receive a refund for the remaining 11 months. Your access continues until December 31, but no money comes back to your account.

This is unfair, and Stopee believes you should push back if the company charged you within the last 14 days before you realised the auto-renewal happened. Under Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999, you have a right to cancel within a cooling-off period if you did not receive clear notice of the renewal beforehand. If you can prove that the signup email or website did not clearly state the renewal date and amount, you have grounds to demand a full refund.

When does your access end after you cancel?

Your digital and print access continues until the end of your current billing cycle. If you cancel on day 30 of a 365-day subscription, you still have access for the remaining 335 days. You can still log in, read archived issues, and download digital versions. The cancellation simply stops the next automatic renewal charge.

Screenshot your final billing date from your account so you know exactly when access will end. Do not assume access stops immediately after cancellation, because it does not.

What if another charge appears after you cancel?

If a charge appears on your card after your documented cancellation request, you have strong evidence of a breach. Contact your bank or credit card company immediately and file a dispute claim. Provide your cancellation email (or confirmation number from the phone call) as proof you requested the cancellation. Most banks reverse the charge within 2-4 weeks if you provide a dated cancellation request.

Additionally, lodge a complaint with the Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations (FMCA) at www.fomca.org.my. Include a copy of your cancellation request and the bank statement showing the wrongful charge. FMCA can escalate the complaint and pressure Car And Driver to refund you.

Pricing breakdown for malaysian subscribers

Annual cost and what you receive

Pro tip: Exchange rates fluctuate, so the RM amount may vary slightly. When you sign up, the company will show you the final MYR price based on the current USD-to-MYR conversion rate. Check your billing email for the exact amount charged to your card; do not assume it matches the listed RM71.

Common mistakes that delay or derail cancellations

Cancelling in the wrong place

Many subscribers feel frustrated when their cancellation request disappears into a void because they contacted the wrong team or platform. If you signed up via Apple App Store, emailing Car And Driver's customer service will not cancel your subscription; you must cancel through Apple. The company has no record of a third-party subscription, so your email goes unanswered, and your next renewal charge still processes.

Before you cancel, spend 2 minutes checking where you signed up. Look at your signup confirmation email. If it mentions Apple, Google, or another app store, cancel there first. Only cancel with Car And Driver directly if you signed up on its website or through a retailer like Barnes and Noble.

Assuming cancellation is instant

After you email your cancellation request, you expect the company to reply the same day. Instead, you wait 5 days. You assume something is wrong, so you email again. When the response finally arrives 10 days later, it confirms your cancellation from the first email. This delay feels slow and suspicious, but it is normal for overseas magazine publishers. Allow at least 5-7 business days for a reply.

Pro tip: Send your cancellation request on a Monday or Tuesday, not Friday, so it does not sit in a weekend queue.

Forgetting to document the cancellation

You call the support line, speak to an agent, and cancel your subscription. You hang up feeling relieved. Three months later, a charge appears on your card. You call back, and the company claims you never requested cancellation. You have no proof, so they refuse to refund. This is the most common complaint Stopee receives from magazine subscribers.

Always document every cancellation step: emails, confirmation numbers, agent names, dates, and times. A screenshot costs nothing and protects you when disputes arise.

Checklist before and after you cancel Car And Driver

Before you hit send on your cancellation request

• Check your latest billing email to confirm your subscription email address and last renewal date.
• Confirm whether you signed up via the Car And Driver website, Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or a third-party retailer.
• Calculate your next renewal date (usually 365 days from your last charge).
• Gather your account number, order number, or any customer ID from your account or invoice.
• Set a phone reminder for 3 days before your next renewal date as a backup alarm.

After you have sent your cancellation request

• Save the cancellation confirmation email or phone confirmation number in a folder labeled "Subscriptions Cancelled."
• Set a calendar reminder to check your bank statement 10 days after your expected renewal date. If a charge appears, you will catch it immediately.
• Keep all original subscription and cancellation emails for 12 months. Do not delete them from your inbox.
• If you do not receive a reply to your cancellation email within 7 business days, send a follow-up.
• If a charge appears after your cancellation, file a bank dispute within 30 days of the charge.

When to keep Car And Driver and when to cancel

Reasons to stay subscribed

You actively read the magazine and find the car reviews and buyer guides genuinely useful for purchasing decisions. You appreciate the digital archive and reference back to older articles regularly. The RM71 annual cost fits comfortably in your entertainment budget, and you do not mind the auto-renewal because you plan to stay subscribed long-term.

Strong reasons to cancel

You signed up on impulse but have not opened a single issue in 6 months. The auto-renewal catches you off guard every year, and you resent the charge. You found free alternatives (YouTube car channels, independent review websites, automotive forums) that give you the same information without a subscription. The RM71 would be better spent elsewhere, or your disposable income has tightened since you subscribed.

If any of these apply, cancelling makes sense. Stopee supports your choice because staying subscribed to something you do not use is wasted money, and auto-renewal should never trap you into paying for something you have abandoned.

Escalation: what to do if Car And Driver ignores your cancellation

Step 1: send a formal written demand

If the company does not reply to your email within 10 business days, or if it refuses to refund an unwanted charge, send a formal cancellation demand letter. Use registered mail or email with a read receipt so you have proof of delivery.

Address it to Car And Driver's U.S. office (or email it directly) and state that you are invoking your rights under Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999. Mention that you expect a written confirmation of cancellation and, if applicable, a refund of the disputed charge within 14 days. This formal tone often triggers a response faster than a casual follow-up email.

Step 2: lodge a complaint with the federation of malaysian consumers associations

If Car And Driver still does not respond or refuses to cooperate, contact FMCA at www.fomca.org.my or by phone at +603-2166 3881. Provide your cancellation emails, bank statements, and a summary of your attempts to resolve the issue. FMCA can file a formal complaint on your behalf and pressure the company to comply with Malaysian consumer protection law.

Step 3: file a dispute with your bank

If the company charged your card after you cancelled, your bank can reverse the charge. Contact your bank's dispute department, provide your cancellation request and the unwanted charge details, and ask them to file a chargeback. Most banks reverse charges within 2-4 weeks if you provide clear evidence of your cancellation request.

Stopee recommends taking screenshots of everything (cancellation email, confirmation numbers, bank statements) before contacting your bank, so you have all evidence ready to share.

How stopee helps you stay in control

Subscriptions are designed to be easy to sign up for but hard to cancel-and overseas services like Car And Driver make this worse by hiding cancellation options and requiring U.S.-based contact. Stopee has helped thousands of Malaysian consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions by providing step-by-step guidance, escalation strategies, and reminders of their consumer rights.

If you feel trapped by an auto-renewal, do not assume you are stuck. You have legal rights, documented procedures, and escalation options. Visit Stopee.com to find cancellation guides for dozens of other services, track your subscription renewals, and get personalised advice on how to cancel without losing money or access.

Contact information for Car And Driver

How to reach Car And Driver customer service

Why there is no malaysia-specific address

Car And Driver does not operate a dedicated Malaysian customer service office or publish a Malaysian mailing address. All subscriptions sold to Malaysian readers are processed and managed from the U.S., which is why you must contact the U.S. team for cancellations. This can feel frustrating, but it is standard practice for global magazine publishers that do not have regional operations in Malaysia.

When you email [email protected], your request travels to the U.S. fulfillment centre, and response times vary depending on queue length and time zones. Expect 3-7 business days for a reply. If you need faster resolution, lodge a complaint with FMCA, which can escalate on your behalf and demand quicker action from the company.

Summary: take back control of your Car And Driver subscription

Cancelling Car And Driver feels harder than it should be because the company does not offer an easy online cancellation button. But you have clear options: email, phone, or third-party platform cancellation. You also have legal rights under Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999, and Stopee encourages you to use them if the company charges you unfairly or ignores your cancellation request.

The key steps are simple. Document your cancellation request in writing, save every confirmation number and email, set a calendar reminder to check your next billing date, and escalate to your bank or FMCA if a charge appears after you cancel. With these precautions, you stay in control and avoid the auto-renewal trap that catches so many readers.

Whether you cancel because you have lost interest in the magazine or simply want to cut unnecessary expenses, your decision is valid. Stopee is here to guide you through the process and protect your rights as a Malaysian consumer. If you need help cancelling Car And Driver or any other subscription, visit Stopee.com today and take the stress out of your subscription management.