Carplay / Android auto issues - a survey

[GroovyGeek]

My AA works most of the time, as long as I refrain from using anything other than gmaps and Spotify. I experience random freezes where the touch screen becomes unresponsive quite frequently. Rebooting the head unit resolves things temporarily but they always come back within a few days. The exact same phone on my wife's GLC has no such issues in wired mode (pre 2022 GLCs don't have wireless AA). The exact same phone had the exact same issues on a rental Dodge with wired AA.

Next thing on my to-do list is to disable AA wired mode on my phone. I always plug in my phone when driving so it can charge and I suspect there may be some conflict between wired and wireless modes operating simultaneously (bronco asks for permission to access phone data when the phone is plugged in, even if the phone is already connected via wireless AA).

Difficult to say if this is a Google or a Ford issue. The fact that things work flawlessly on the GLC suggests that @Ford Motor Company has some work to do.

Sponsored

 

[imstimpy]

I'd say my wireless connection works 80-90% of the time. Sometimes it connects right away, sometimes it takes 1-2 minutes, sometimes it just won't connect. When it won't connect, sometimes it will connect wired, sometimes neither wireless nor wired will connect. Keying off the vehicle always resets CarPlay.

When sound just comes out of one side of a CarPlay audio source, powering off the volume will reset it. I wish there was a way to reset CarPlay without keying off the vehicle...

 

[Montana Bronco]

I have a Base with 8-inch screen and my Apple CarPlay works fine.

Prior to my Bronco (but same Apple phone) I had problems with my Chevy after Apple downloaded a new OS overnight. Problem was the phone, not the Chevy.

 

[SlpybearTX]

No problems connecting to Carplay. Many problems with Carplay dropping connections multiple times withing a 5 minute period. Iphone 13Pro. 8" stereo.

 

[KC5MO]

I have the connection being dropped randomly when connected either wirelessly or with the cord. Sometimes it will work fine and sometimes it has to be reset within a minute repeatedly. Very frustrating when listening to Spotify or using Waze for directions. The other issue is the display touch screen locks up where you can't go from Spotify or Waze to the AM/FM radio. Or it will lock up on Waze and you can't do anything.

 

[jayson]

I've now technically had my bronco for 7 months. In reality it's been closer to 4 due to time spent in the shop for windshield wiper issues that still are not fixed.

I have had carplay on my phone break no less than 2 dozen times. Refuses to connect, all the changes in settings, delete and add again, different cords, etc and try as hard as you like sometimes it simply won't connect. Sometimes it's just one ride. This last time it was two full days.

This last time was a major issue. I was driving with people in the car that deserved my attention. My hope was that I could plug in my phone, turn on maps, and drive to our destination without holding my phone or looking like a road hazard. That was not the case. We ended up taking a different car and I was embarrassed.

My bronco is a base: 8 inch screen, lowest end model. I have heard these issues do not persist with the upgraded 12 inch screen and I've driven a brand new F150 with the larger screen for roughly 2k miles that has never once had the issue.

There has to be a fix. @Ford this is insane - 40k dollars and I can't rely on a simple plug and play service.

Please tell me your experience. If it's just me, that's even better because I know I can take it in to get fixed. I can't reproduce it for my dealer so they're less inclined to 'take a look.' If enough of us have an issue maybe a software update or something can be done.

I just know that 90% of the time the enjoyment from my vehicle comes from the stereo, a reliable map and a fun driving experience. When I can't even get the phone to connect and am forced into AM radio, this car I bought for fun becomes substantially less fun and frankly loses a lot of luster.

Let me know your experience and vote. Carplay, Android Auto, whatever. I just want to find a fix or drive them to make a fix.

Not using Android but having intermittent issues with Apple CarPlay since last update.

 

[HotdogThud]

Symptoms I've seen:

• Screen gets unholy hot, but only while navigating with google maps.
• Screen will slowly start to slow down until it freezes, over the span of about 5-10 minutes, restarting head unit fixes
• screen will fully freeze when trying to go from split view to full view, restarting head unit fixes
• will not connect, but bluetooth is fully connected and can play audio that way, restarting head unit fixes
• calls I make are fine, calls that AA tries to pick up straight up don't work.

Of note, is that these issues have gotten more prevalent in the time that I've had the bronco trail app installed. There is some definite voodoo that's happening with the SmartDeviceLink companion app it installs.

Fully resetting Sync back to factory was the only thing that even made the trail app even work for me, and even then, it's still hit or miss. Of note, is that when I factory reset Sync, it loaded up a new version with the new backup camera behavior, even though it was showing that I had the most recent installed.

Given that AA works flawlessly in my wife's subaru, I'm putting most of this on Ford phoning it in with Sync.

 

[kevin.gt]

8" with iphone. i connect with wire. i don't have problems with it dropping connection once it's established. i do have trouble connecting though. about half the time I have to manually touch around to Apps, Carplay, Select my Phone, cross my fingers, timeout, try again, etc. to get it to connect instead of it just automatically connecting like it should

 

[35tires]

Ford has reached out to me via direct message on this site.

So far with the poll, 65% of 8 inch screen users reported issues. 50% of total users have had issue regardless of screen size. That's entirely unacceptable. I'd argue most people get a lot of their 'fun' driving their bronco with music or talk radio/podcasts as a part of the adventure.


I mentioned a dealer that is local to me if they want me to bring it in again. I think bigger picture we need to keep these stories rolling in, explain and vote, and I plan to email all of this to anyone who will listen at Ford. I'd hope a software fix could get us back on track. It doesn't end the world, but it sucks the fun out of the bronco too many times to let it slide.

 

[Joshc920]

Yes it’s been a problem for me, 21 black diamond, 8 inch. I will go over a week sometimes where it acts like apple carplay doesn’t exist. Wired or bluetooth.
Also have had the sound from one side only problem many times and learned to turn off power and back on from the knob to get the sound to come back. And then there has been the screen freeze but audio keeps playing. That I could only make go away when I restarted vehicle. Not too convenient when in traffic on Dallas highways and using google maps. I like to use CarPlay but it has forced me to adapt to using just the Aux Audio basically and stare at my phone screen for maps like I did on my last trip across dfw. I would gladly take an update fix if one came out, even if it means a trip to the dealer.

 

[Area51BS]

Never the issue you experienced. But it’s not the most reliable option. It’s not just the Bronco. We have had Bronco Sports and a Maverick. Want flawless CarPlay? Buy a VW. Absolutely flawless and fast.

 

[JerryC]

Mine connects fine with AA but when making a call it never works on the first try.
The call goes through but you can't hear the person you called when they answer. You also don't hear it ring as your call goes through.
So I try the call, if I don't hear the ringing in couple of seconds, I hang up and try again.

Following up.
Might be just a momentary thing but it worked perfect yesterday. Coincidentally my phone received an update from Samsung before my drive. The phone is a Z Flip 4.

 

[JeffL]

base here. in 7 months i haven't had any issues with carplay connecting and working perfectly <knock on wood>

 

[MadMan4BamaNATL]

My CarPlay gives me issues seemingly dependent on where I am. In the city where I live; hardly any problems connecting at all.

However, go out in the woods or even suburbs at times and nothing. On the actual highway when in a populated area with good cell coverage, fine. Again, rural areas, nothing. This even happens when I still have a signal of a couple of bars or so and 5G.

Have the 12 inch and Lux in a 2023, but I don't think these issues are the head unit in the Bronco which has worked flawlessly since purchase back in Feb. All of the gremlins are software related. I still have an iPhone 12 Pro Max and plan to upgrade this fall. Even then, software. Hoping iOS 17 will fix some of the issues and really wish CarPlay wasn't totally dependent on cell connectivity.

For example, when out wheeling and trying to use the Trail App or Nav from my phone and I stop at a gas station, thus turning off the car, getting back in is where the issues start, as it won't connect. This is annoying, but Ford's nav is pretty good and even has off-road routes which I didn't know until having to use it once.

Love CarPlay wireless and after reading comments here, will try wired when I have issues.

 

[j_marinelli]

I have issues with andriod auto not connecting (as well as front camera going black). Well both these problems haven't happen in a few months. We are on a road trip and asthe last couple days it started happen again out of no where. This morning I realized the Bronco auto updated a couple days ago so I believe that is the culprit of the issues starting up again.

Sponsored