- Number of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay issues increased again in 2025
- Half of most-reported problems relate to smartphone integration, usage, or connectivity
- Lexus, Buick, and Mazda owners reported the fewest problems
Three years into the new car experience, owners report having more problems with connecting their smartphones than any other vehicular problem, according to a J.D. Power study released Thursday.
It’s the second year in a row smartphone connectivity issues relate to the highest number of reported problems in the automotive research firm’s annual U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study.
The study fielded answers from 34,175 owners of new cars purchased in 2022 on certain pain points in the first few years of ownership. Those respondents could choose from 184 specific problem areas in nine general categories, ranging from seat comfort to powertrain issues. Then there’s the chronic issue in recent years: “features, controls, and displays” as well as the “infotainment” category.
Since at least 2021, new car tech frustrations have been the bane of new car owners in J.D. Power’s annual Initial Quality Survey (IQS) that measures satisfaction in the first 90 days of new car ownership. The 2022 IQS found that dropped connections with Apple CarPlay was the number one problem. In 2023, one of the biggest increases in reported problems was with wireless smartphone charging. This reflects the growing number of convenience features rolling out into new cars, and a missed opportunity for automakers.
“Keeping pace with the rate of change in smartphone technology is a challenge for the auto industry,” the J.D. Power VDS found.
And it’s only getting worse. Half of the top 10 reported problems have to do with smartphone integration, usage, or connectivity. The number of Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity problems reported per 100 vehicles increased from 6.3 in 2024 to 8.4 problems per 100 vehicles in 2025.
Over-the-air (OTA) updates help automakers mirror smartphone updates but only 36% of owners performed an OTA during the first three years. Of those that did report an OTA, only 30% said that it actually improved the user experience.
The era of “software-defined” vehicles may have automakers scrambling to keep up with owners’ expectations. Some of this has to do with how automakers launched new cars on new platforms with new powertrain systems and an evolutionary leap in user interfaces.
Only four of the 27 new model launches for 2022 performed better than average against carryover vehicles. In the past three years, Toyota has relaunched its entire truck and large SUV family, and associated problems knocked it from its perch as the most reliable brand, according to Consumer Reports.
The average age of American vehicles is 12.6 years old. The owner of a 2010 model could be overwhelmed at all the changes in a new car, from haptic climate sliders to the selectable regenerative braking.
That’s one bright spot from the 2025 VDS: The number of complaints reported by electric car owners decreased. The gap between gas-powered cars and electric cars “has narrowed significantly this year,” according to J.D. Power. On the other hand, plug-in hybrid powertrains have the most reported problems of all vehicle fuel types.
Best 5 car brands with the fewest problems
The top five brands for fewest reported problems generally have conservative or incremental approaches to new vehicle technology launches. They are:
- Lexus (140 problems reported per 100 vehicles)
- Buick (143)
- Mazda (161)
- Toyota (162)
- Cadillac and Chevrolet (169)
Worst 5 car brands with the most problems
The average number of problems reported was 202 per 100 vehicles. Volkswagen has the highest number of problems likely due to its vexing climate control interfaces that rely on haptic sliders instead of dials or buttons. Jeep and Chrysler consistently rank low in the IQS and VDS, as does Land Rover.
- Land Rover (270 problems reported per 100 vehicles)
- Audi (273)
- Jeep (275)
- Chrysler (282)
- Volkswagen (285)