Thanks for the replies and help. I took my truck to the dealer and was hopeful when they said they had a software update. They installed it, and on the drive home?..... Same issues. It works for a few minutes and then pandora freezes, with no response on the touch screen, except for the apple "home" button. I go back home, hit "audiobooks", for example, and the frozen Pandora screen will return. The problem always occurs when switching between the maps app/running apple navigation. It's ironic that the wireless/Bluetooth is more reliable and functional than when plugged in via usb/CarPlay.
All apps and OS up to date on iPhone 6s as of 9/2/16. And I always try different sequences upon connecting... such as plugging in the phone before starting the truck, or after. Closing all apps before turning the truck on, or after. Connecting the cable after starting the truck, or before... etc. etc. on and on. Can't find any sequence or combination that is the magic bullet.
As I review all of your opinions and responses, it seems 50/50 split on the speculation of whose responsibility this is. When I said earlier that Apple was more tarnished on the issue, I should have been more clear: I have always had high expectations of anything with Apple's name on it, and I therefore feel that Apple, even if this is not their fault, should have required better assurances from OEM's that, if there was potential for problems on the side of the vehicle companies, then the OEM's would be better prepared to handle the issues, even if it mean delaying the release of CarPlay for another year. In my mind, it is "Apple CarPlay" that is failing, and it is hard to get my hear around it.
Thanks again for all the responses and info here.