Carplay / Android auto issues - a survey

[Lcubed]

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.

this survey needs to distinguish between wired and wireless connections.

for whatever reason, the ford bronco defaults to wireless connection even when wired. the wireless is somewhat flakey.

no issues on mine ever since i deleted the wireless connection on both the bronco and the phone and connect via wire only.

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[BroncoTrail]

It's annoying as !%@$#.

I have a 12" screen and use Android Auto and it's such a pain in the @$$ to get it to connect sometimes. Or sometimes it'll disconnect for no reason and I can't get it to reconnect. I use it wirelessly, so my Bluetooth and Wi-Fi need to be enabled. I do have to disconnect the VPN on my phone before I can connect the Android Auto, which I always do.

 

[TacosTuesday]

AA wireless with my pixel 7 pro & i've had zero issues. 8" screen, it's been working flawlessly since day one.

 

[Ocnorb]

I've had my new '23 2-door w/ 8-inch screen for a couple of weeks now, put over 1k miles on it, 15+ hours of Android Auto. No real problems to report. The biggest issue I have is that Android doesn't offer a setting to disable wireless android auto. I don't want to use it all the time, and it always wants to connect. Have to disable Bluetooth and WiFi for it to not connect. Other than that, it's functionally been fantastic, plugged in and wirelessly with my old Galaxy S10E.

 

[jacknifetoaswan]

I have a Pixel 6 Pro, and it can be flaky connecting wirelessly to my 2022 Bronco/High with 12" screen over Android Auto. It'll go weeks without an issue, then randomly won't connect for like two days. My biggest issues usually stem from calls sometimes giving me mic or sound, but not both, e.g., I can hear them but they can't hear me, or vice versa. Wired AA always works perfectly.

On the other hand, my 2016 Mustang has far more issues with functionality, but the Motorola MA-1 adapter is way more consistent with wireless connectivity than the stock Bronco system.

I had a 4Runner as a rental for the Off-Roadeo last weekend, and it was absolutely abysmal. I had to reboot my phone almost every day because when connecting via wire, Waze and Google Maps would be INCREDIBLY slow to move with the vehicle and there were constant audio disconnects from Pandora and YouTube Music. It did not appear to have wireless compatibility, and the entire system felt like it had been designed in 2008.

ETA: My BIGGEST complaint about the Bronco is that, even with my phone on silent and notifications turned off in Android Auto, I still get a double notification chime. It's so freaking annoying.

JR

 

[Ford Motor Company]

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.

Hey there. I can look into your Bronco’s phone call concerns on my end if you’d like. Will you send us a private message with your VIN and dealership info?

 

[Sherminiator]

I have a very intermittent problem with wireless Carplay not initializing with my iPhone 14, Normally if I restart the car, it clears it up. Otherwise no issues.

 

[Ninjak]

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.

The fix for this is to set your ring tone to the phone default in sync. That will stop that.

As for me, I have a Sony Xperia M IV and I have had zero issues with Android Auto, using it wirelessly. Now I have had an issue with my calls in quality. Some have said I sound like I am on a CB radio. But I have found out that is my phone and not the system.

I plan on buying another phone soon, but I will figure the issue out. I think it has something to do with the phone connecting to sync and AA separately and not moving the call to the correct app.

 

[vbrad26]

I'll explain why I voted "yes".
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it switches between phones.
The Bronco is my Wife's car so she is the primary driver. However I drive it from time to time.
It will always try to connect to the phone that was last connected, so if we are both in the car, it automatically connects to her phone.
But if I'm alone, it seems like it goes through phases were it just won't connect to my phone.
Might happen all day one day but then the next it's fine.
The other day I had my phone connected, walked far enough away that it lost signal, and then would not re-connect.
Also, for the first time, only the right side speakers were working.
A lot of the time, a can fix all of this by just turning the car off, opening the door and turning it back on.
But sometimes that wont even fix it.
Not sure if my wife has any issues, she never complains at least...
But I feel like it has something and possible everything to do with switching connected phones.

 

[mapletonpd]

I have 23 with the 8” screen, only had it since beginning of June but I’ve had zero issues connecting/staying connected.

I use the wireless connection exclusively. iPhone 14 pro. I should mention I’m running the iOS 17 beta which I wouldn’t recommend yet but that could be making a difference?

 

[Dover157]

22 black diamond 8”screen. Have occasional issues where CarPlay will lock up and I have to reboot the audio system by holding power and next button simultaneously. Use the wireless connection and only plug in when I need to charge my phone. Biggest thing I have learned is to wait for CarPlay to fully connect before plugging it in. when I plug the phone in right away or have it plugged in when I start the bronco it seems to not connect and I have to unplug it and reboot the bronco.

 

[dejones64]

Black Diamond 8" screen, Apple Carplay. Couple issues that happen at random times.
1) Carplay won't connect sometimes, have to mess with it manually to get it to connect.
2) Carplay freezes/locks up, won't recognize screen touches, though music is still playing. Turning the system off doesn't work, screen is still on and music playing. Have to totally shut down my phone then Carplay will disconnect. Turn my phone back on then Carplay will reconnect.

Annoying but not enough yet to pursue a fix.

 

[Grant3168]

I have only had issues with carplay not recognizing my phone twice during my 5 month ownership. Both times the fix was turning off the vehicle, wait a few seconds and turn back on. My bronco has the 8inch screen, midpackage. Did not vote as I don't have consistent issues with carplay, but I have had two weird scenarios with it not working.

 

[guest001]

Black Diamond 8" screen, Apple Carplay. Couple issues that happen at random times.
1) Carplay won't connect sometimes, have to mess with it manually to get it to connect.
2) Carplay freezes/locks up, won't recognize screen touches, though music is still playing. Turning the system off doesn't work, screen is still on and music playing. Have to totally shut down my phone then Carplay will disconnect. Turn my phone back on then Carplay will reconnect.

Annoying but not enough yet to pursue a fix.

OBX, 12" screen, Apple Carplay

2) Carplay freezes/locks up, won't recognize screen touches, though music is still playing. Turning the system off doesn't work, screen is still on and music playing.

This started happening to me last week. Carplay would disconnect when Bronco shut off but the same issues occurred next time Bronco was used. After a couple of days of that nonsense I plugged in a flash drive that contains music and used that for a few days. When I unplugged the flash drive Carplay now works normally again. Probably coincidence but who knows?

 

[OuterJersey]

I'll explain why I voted "yes".
I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that it switches between phones.
The Bronco is my Wife's car so she is the primary driver. However I drive it from time to time.
It will always try to connect to the phone that was last connected, so if we are both in the car, it automatically connects to her phone.
But if I'm alone, it seems like it goes through phases were it just won't connect to my phone.
Might happen all day one day but then the next it's fine.
The other day I had my phone connected, walked far enough away that it lost signal, and then would not re-connect.
Also, for the first time, only the right side speakers were working.
A lot of the time, a can fix all of this by just turning the car off, opening the door and turning it back on.
But sometimes that wont even fix it.
Not sure if my wife has any issues, she never complains at least...
But I feel like it has something and possible everything to do with switching connected phones.

Mine doesn’t even do that..if my wife and I get in together it always connects to hers wirelessly..so annoying..it’s my truck!
…12” with iPhones

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