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>> the first thing I will be doing is yanking the damn cellular modem out of it

That may be illegal just like it's illegal to tamper with consumer electronics/HDMI devices

IANAL, but my understanding is that the DMCA makes it illegal to distribute information or devices that would let you break HDMI encryption. But it's not illegal to "tamper" with your own device.

For automobile manufacturers to use the DMCA in this way they would have to make a case for some kind of copyright infringement that would be possible if the cellular modem was removed. Not impossible, but it would be a stretch for now.

A few manufacturers have tried using the DMCA in an attempt to quash non OEM parts for repairs and modifications, with John Deere being something of a poster child. I believe it's been at least partially quashed for the consumer market, but we'll see how long that lasts.

How would it be illegal?

It shouldn't be illegal, but I don't doubt for a second that data-grubbing DRM-pushing auto manufacturers would conjure up a "think of the children" argument and have it made illegal if this ever became a widespread workaround.

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