Apple CarPlay problem with 2019 Acura RDX and iPhone X

I don't want to sound like a know it all, but I'm I've been in the automobile business for 30 years and know way more than I want to know about how things work.

That said, how do you know, the Dealers "know"? Were they officially informed by a "Service Bulletin"? Do they have an official trouble report from Acura? I ask, because I'm thoroughly pi$$ed off by this. I bought my RDX 5 months ago, after being assured the CarPlay was an "elegant implementation". The RDX was my 3rd choice in vehicles, but of the other 2, 1 didn't have CarPlay available and the other was already having problems with their implementation.

The RDX could be the greatest vehicle on earth, but without dependable availability of the infotainment system, it's of no value to me.

Thanks!

Because I wasted time and took my car to dealer - they called Acura and were told this - and dealer said I wasn’t the first person with this issue. I called Acura customer relations myself and they said they are aware. Read Twitter - bulletins etc - this is major issue and wish I read this before I bought the car - should have bought the Lexus NX

Acura told me, they've never heard of a such a problem.

"Because I wasted time and took my car to dealer - they called Acura and were told this - and dealer said I wasn’t the first person with this issue. I called Acura customer relations myself and they said they are aware. Read Twitter - bulletins etc - this is major issue and wish I read this before I bought the car - should have bought the Lexus NX"

Yes - I tried everything - again - it’s a system issue - so none of this will be a permanent fix. I spoke to Acura / they know the issues - read Twitter - this is widespread issue - that’s what bothers me - what’s our recourse? Being told sorry constantly by Acura doesn’t solve the problem

Call customer relations - they know the problem. Read Twitter feed for Acura customer relations. There must by 15 tweets in last 2 months on this exact issue. Maybe the specific dealer isn’t aware - but likely they are

Time will tell. Certainly something more than fixable by a reset, but for the time being it’s working. First system reset worked for about 6 weeks. Then the screen froze and wouldn’t shut off even with the car completely shut down. Instructions in this YouTube video have reset everything and it’s worked again for 12 hours.

So I just picked up my RDX and had a long conversation with the Service Director. Here's my thoughts.

Acura has not "officially" acknowledged the problem, but it's obviously a problem. They have certainly been make aware of the issue. They are asking Service Departments to inform them of issues, so they can get a better handle on it. At this point, they have NO CLUE what's going on. Quite honestly, from reading all the posts and tweets, I think there's a lot of "human error" on the part of some operators. That said, the system obviously needs some serious modifications and updates.

There's one way and really only one way, to motivate an automobile manufacturer ... go to the NHTSA. This is obviously a safety issue, as I end up fumbling with my phone, every time the system fails. Physically using the phone is illegal while driving, in many states. I'm going to make a report, today. Here's some advice on reporting: https://www.consumerreports.org/car-safety/how-to-write-a-car-safety-complaint-to-nhtsa/

Well, since I wrote my above thread, the Apple Carplay has dropped out 4 times in two not-so-long round trips. I am very outraged and should have complained about this long time ago. I've had the RDX for 9 months now and it's been happening ever since. Not even the patches they provided last December and early February helped. I should also mention I only have 3900 miles on this car. I'm on the phone with Client Relations now, and then Financial Services to complain the car is NOT performing it's intended function. Seeking restitution.

Mine only has about 7500 miles on it. I've had it since Christmas.

My CarPlay drops out EVERY DAY ... on EVERY single phone call. Only the "microphone". "Charging" drops out, intermittently.

I think there's another angle here. I'm fairly certain Acura has to "license" CarPlay from Apple and Apple is smart enough to maintain some sort of control over the use of CarPlay. I suspect if there's glitch that makes Apple & the iPhone look bad, they can put some heat on Acura, to solve it.

I spoke to Acura Client Relations again yesterday (Alan I, the district case manager), and they are very aware of the problem. Alan said that the Apple/Acura fix was originally scheduled to be complete in May, but has since been pushed out to August/September. At that time, the fix (update) will come directly to our cars, and there will be no need to take our cars to the dealer. Since this has been going on for close to a year already, I am not sure that they will make this promised deadline. I am really disappointed in Acura and Apple, as my Acura purchase was based on the advertised Apple/Acura interface and its accompanying safety consideration. I expressed the safety concern to Acura Client Relations, and although they were sympathetic, the fact that the car still runs is sufficient for them. So much for customer care!

This fix still works for me. I had many, many dropped connections using iTunes, Waze, Maps, etc. Then the screen froze and would not go done, even with the car off. It would have stayed on overnight had I not found this fix. https://youtu.be/f7uLCjHK-cU

Took delivery of 2019 RDX September 2018. At the same time purchased an iPhone 10 Xs Max.

The sync between the two systems worked well until about a month ago.

Firmware in the RDX and Software in the 10 Xs are up to date.

Systems sync at startup;

-but after 55-60 seconds RDX drops CarPlay connection,

-remains disconnected for 20 seconds, then reconnects.

Cycle continues to repeat (initiated termination after 10 cycles)

Verified multiple times.

Took RDX to dealer whom said system checks OK.

In my Wife's BMW X-1, my iPhone 10 Xs Max syncs wirelessly as designed.

Conclusion: RDX syncing is not working.

Acura: Time for a FIX.

BrianL9999, I am at the same stage as you. I also told Acura that I wanted to return the car and get my money back. I explained to them that the main reason that I bought the car was for the interface with Apple and that having my cell sit in my lap is illegal and unsafe. I am interested in a lawsuit as well.

I applaud all those that tried the workaround from the YouTube video to reboot system. I guarantee this is only a temporary fix (yes the problems will return in due time) as the Service department confirmed the CarPlay problems are widespread and another major software fix is coming out later this year. Not sure how much more patience I have with Acura. One more symptom I'd like to report that I haven't yet seen on this forum is that many times when connecting iPhone and start music it will only play on the top mounted dash speaker right behind the display while left side of screen is either frozen or blanked out. The only way to rectify is to unplug the phone, turn off engine (after you safely pulled off the road ouf course!), wait several seconds then restart engine and reconnect after about 20 seconds. Talk about a surprise but yes, music coming only from that top dash center speaker isn't exactly ELS 3D quality sound.

This is really sad. I love driving this car, but the problems with the infotainment system are destroying the car’s rep. I discovered a new problem recently. When CarPlay is connected, but no apps are active, and I try to engage the cars native nav system, it automatically brings up Apple Maps instead. Granted that app is better than the native nav app, but it also automatically sets a nav route to my home. If I close the app on my phone & try to restart native nav, it goes back to Apple Maps & sets the route home again. When I tell Siri to “cancel route,” she tells me that no route is selected! So other than the obvious problem here, it’s also using my data plan (not unlimited) by keeping the Apple map app running. I’m hoping IOS 13 and the scheduled fall update will address most problems. I’m not holding my breathe though.