CarPlay GPS navigation issue with 2023 Lincoln with Sync 4

While navigating, the GPS icon for my vehicle goes off the map, wildly, when using CarPlay on my 2023 Lincoln with Sync 4. Issue occurs when connected with wireless CarPlay and wired CarPlay with a Lightning cable (so it's not a Bluetooth issue.) The navigation icon slides sideways, turns backwards, goes into side streets and is otherwise impossible to follow. Carplay works fine with everything EXCEPT GPS apps such as Google maps, Waze, and Apple maps. All these apps have the same issue when trying to navigate somewhere. When it does this, it's impossible to follow the visual navigations instructions so I have to disconnect the iPhone and follow directions on the iPhone itself. (So, the phone is not losing signal or it's GPS location. It's CarPlay-to-CarPlay communications that are the problem).


Both my iPhones (12 and 13) have the issue and are on current OS (16.4.1). Apps are up-to-date. Apps and software IN THE CAR are also up-to-date. Car "APIM" and other hardware checked out by dealership and determined it's not the car hardware. It's clearly an issue between the Carplay app embedded in the car's systems and Carplay on the iPhone. Because it's Carplay related, Ford/Lincoln says it's an Apple problem and they can't fix it.


I've called Lincoln customer support and they don't even understand the problem and say it's an Apple issue. The dealership is sympathetic and has been able to reproduce the problem on other Sync 4 Lincoln cars with other iPhones but they're also saying it's an Apple issue that Ford will have to fix. I called Apple support, and they say it's a Ford/Lincoln issue because the iPhone works perfectly with mapping and navigation when it's not connected to the car.

iPhone 12 Pro Max

Posted on Apr 28, 2023 5:27 PM

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16 replies

May 1, 2023 2:58 PM in response to Bulldog1000

Hi Bulldog1000,


Since you're having issues with CarPlay via your 2023 Lincoln, we recommend that you try the steps in the link below.


If you need help with CarPlay - Apple Support


To perform the recommended troubleshooting steps via the link above, try the steps in the section below.


First, make sure that your country or region supports CarPlay and that your car supports CarPlay. If you're unsure if your car supports CarPlay, contact the vehicle manufacturer.

Make sure that your iPhone has the latest version of iOS. If your iPhone is updated to the latest version of iOS, follow these steps—checking CarPlay after each step:

1. Check your connection to your CarPlay stereo:
* If you have a wired connection, try connecting again with a different USB cable to a different USB port if you have one.

* If you have a wireless connection, make sure that Bluetooth is turned on on your iPhone under Settings > Bluetooth. Then go to Settings > Wi-Fi, and make sure that Wi-Fi is also turned on. Tap the CarPlay network, and check that Auto-Join is turned on.

2. If CarPlay doesn't activate automatically, look for the CarPlay logo on your car's display and select it.

3. Restart your iPhone and your car. 

4. Make sure that Siri is on.

5. If your iPhone isn't detected by CarPlay, make sure that CarPlay isn't restricted. Go to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. If Content & Privacy Restrictions is on, tap Allowed Apps, and make sure that CarPlay is enabled.

6. Go to Settings > General > CarPlay, tap your car, then tap Forget This Car. Then set up CarPlay again.

7. Make sure that your CarPlay stereo is using the latest firmware from the car manufacturer. Check your car's manual for more information.


We recommend the steps above because they will show you what to do if CarPlay doesn't work like you expect.


If you’re still experiencing the same issue, we recommend that you contact Apple Support directly so that they can work with you to find a solution. You can reach them by clicking here: Apple Support or calling the most local number in your region: Contact Apple for support and service. Thank you for participating in the Apple Support Communities. Cheers!

Jul 18, 2023 6:12 AM in response to J_Johnnyboy

After weeks of work with Apple support, this problem is still not fixed. They blamed it on Ford/Lincoln, which makes a bit of sense because the problem is with CarPlay, albeit CarPlay running on the car's system. However, it's still a CarPlay and an Apple issue. Ford/Lincoln says it's an Apple issue. This will not be fixed until Apple engineers work jointly with Ford engineers on Sync 4 and CarPlay and issue a software update.

Jul 18, 2023 6:13 AM in response to melirese78

After weeks of work with Apple support, this problem is still not fixed. They blamed it on Ford/Lincoln, which makes a bit of sense because the problem is with CarPlay, albeit CarPlay running on the car's system. However, it's still a CarPlay and an Apple issue. Ford/Lincoln says it's an Apple issue. This will not be fixed until Apple engineers work jointly with Ford engineers on Sync 4 and CarPlay and issue a software update.

Aug 3, 2023 6:54 AM in response to Bulldog1000

I think more specifically it appears to be a SYNC4 related issue. I recently rented a Ford Mustang from Hertz. Drove around for a day interstate, had the same phone connected via wire to the Mustang infotainment. CarPlay & Google Maps worked like a charm like they always should. Land back in my city, jump into my Lincoln Nautilus and voila, the same old problem is back! Earlier last week connected my wife’s iPhone to the car as well to eradicate a phone issue. And the same problem happened then as well. So 100% I can narrow this issue down to SYNC4. Ford needs to clearly work with the Apple engineers to solve for this. Apple will not care too much about it. As its working fine on other Ford infotainment systems, namely SYNC2 or SYNC3 etc. Why won’t Lincoln solve for this?! I’m primarily reliant on the built in NAV. If that doesn’t pull up an address, I’m screwed! This might also be loss for Apple from a data point of view. As most of us don’t use CarPlay anymore in our Lincolns. Help solve for this, Apple!

Question marked as Helpful

Aug 3, 2023 7:18 AM in response to Bulldog1000

I think more specifically it appears to be a SYNC4 related issue. I recently rented a Ford Mustang from Hertz. Drove around for a day interstate, had the same phone connected via wire to the Mustang infotainment. CarPlay & Google Maps worked like a charm like they always should. Land back in my city, jump into my Lincoln Nautilus and voila, the same old problem is back! Earlier last week connected my wife’s iPhone to the car as well to eradicate a phone issue. And the same problem happened then as well. So 100% I can narrow this issue down to SYNC4. Ford needs to clearly work with the Apple engineers to solve for this. Apple will not care too much about it. As its working fine on other Ford infotainment systems, namely SYNC2 or SYNC3 etc. Why won’t Lincoln solve for this?! I’m primarily reliant on the built in NAV. If that doesn’t pull up an address, I’m screwed! This might also be loss for Apple from a data point of view. As most of us don’t use CarPlay anymore in our Lincolns. Help solve for this, Apple!

Sep 4, 2023 8:05 AM in response to Bulldog1000

It's definitely an Apple issue. I face the GPS pointer freezing issue on 14 Pro Max and 13 with Suzuki car. Both devices and the car infotainment system are up to date. All necessary permissions are in place and I have even reset devices and cars to their factory setup.


To me, it looked like Apple keeps dropping the GPS connections every few seconds (maybe trying to save power or god knows what). I used an app to verify the GPS connection. It showed that the connection status keeps changing every few seconds.


Android Auto works perfectly fine and I have to always keep another device with me while going out just because of this reason.

Sep 25, 2023 1:42 PM in response to Zhayid

Nope tried it, plus updated to 17.0.1 too! Still no respite. The issue persists. Like I've said before, my 14 Pro Max works just fine on other vehicles. It is only with the Lincoln Nautilus that I face this issue. Really hope Apple & Lincoln engineers work together to iron out this kink. I've stopped using Google Maps or Apple CarPlay due to this issue.

Oct 21, 2023 10:01 AM in response to Bulldog1000

I'm unable to find a comment as I got in my email that someone had responded to this discussion.


Corrine93 had stated: "We are on a 51 day car trip across the US. GPS on CarPlay in our 2023 Lincoln Nautilus has been extremely unreliable. Same issues described in this forum. I vote we all contact the NTSB identifying this as a safety issue - which it legitimately is!

https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index"


I genuinely think this HAS to be done. Lincoln or Apple just don't seem to be bothered by this. How can we do this as a cluster/group, which obviously will be way more powerful than individuals writing to them. In this day & age of social media, we got to get our concern resolved by Lincoln asap. Cannot be driving around like this with our own fixes/work-arounds which just does not warrant a car costing $65,000!

CarPlay GPS navigation issue with 2023 Lincoln with Sync 4

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